Parks & Recreation Annual Report 2017-2018

2017-2018 Annual Report Parks & Recreation C I T Y O F G R E E N S B O R O

CREATING ECONOMIC IMPACTS

ADVANCING CONSERVATION

REJUVENATING HEALTH AND WELLNESS

ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE

1 0 0 1 F O U R T H S T . • G R E E N S B O R O , N C 2 7 4 0 5 • 3 3 6 - 3 7 3 - 2 5 5 8 • FA X : 3 3 6 - 3 7 3 - 2 0 6 0 W W W . G S O PA R K S A N D R E C . O R G

A Note from the Director

enhancement. We want you to love where you live, work, and play. We are committed to doing our very best to create exceptional and transformational experiences that residents and visitors have when engaging with Parks and Recreation. The following report is an overview of the work we’ve done during the 2017-2018 fiscal year, and a snapshot of the where the department is today. We believe we’ve laid the groundwork for an even more exciting and productive year in 2018-2019, which includes beginning and completing multiple 2016 bond-funded projects, introducing new partnerships and programs, and renovating and upgrading a number of parks and facilities. We are also excited about completing and implementing Plan2Play, which is an update to our system-wide comprehensive plan that encourages us to not only enhance and expand our park and recreational offerings, but also to improve how we connect and engage with our community over the next 20 years. In closing, I sincerely thank the Greensboro City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission, our many community partners, staff, and residents of Greensboro for their continued and unwavering support. Without this support, these accomplishments and our ability to continue to provide a model parks system for the enjoyment of all would not be possible.

Nasha McCray Director

City of Greensboro Parks & Recreation

It’s been year of change at Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department! New leaders. New facilities. New programs.

But our commitment to the community hasn’t changed one bit. Every day, we strive to make a positive impact on Greensboro by preserving our green spaces, creating economic impacts, and improving the health of residents -- and in turn, improving overall quality of life in our city. The department continues to be a leader in shaping the quality of life and character of Greensboro. With more than 8,000 acres of parkland, 90 miles of trails and greenways, 175 facilities, and 2,300 unique programs, we truly offer something for everyone! With all of that being said, 2017-2018 was a busy year for us and found us starting new master plans, constructing new facilities and amenities, supporting disaster relief efforts in response to the April 15 tornado, hosting special events and tournaments, creating new advisory boards and expanding partnerships, offering new programs, and undergoing staff and leadership changes. The 2018-2019 fiscal year is shaping up to be even busier, with a renewed focus on innovation, connectivity, and

Thank you for allowing us to serve you with pride and for letting us do what we love.

MISSION The Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department exists to provide professional and diverse leisure opportunities through inclusive programs, facilities, parks and open space, ensuring that Greensboro is a desirable place to work, live and play. VISION We see ourselves as leaders, building betters lives to build a better community.

GREENSBORO CITY COUNCIL Nancy Vaughan, Mayor Yvonne Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem Marikay Abuzuaiter, At Large Michelle Kennedy, At Large Sharon Hightower, District 1

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION Carl Brower Jr., Chairman Justin Washington, Vice Chairman Kim Alexander-Henderson Kelly Gaines

PARKS & RECREATION LEADERSHIP TEAM Nasha McCray, AICP, Director Phil Fleischmann, CPRE, Deputy Director Ron McMillan, Park Operations Manager Shawna Tillery, Planning & Project Development Manager Haley Wilson, Executive Assistant

Marsha Glazman Joseph Gardner

Goldie Wells, District 2 Justin Outling, District 3 Nancy Hoffmann, District 4 Tammi Thurm, District 5

Bob Kollar Jeff Smith

The Year in Parks & Recreation Highlights from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018

PARKS & REC F S E T 2017

2017

JULY Department celebrates National Parks & Recreation Month with contests and the second annual Parks and Rec Fest at Gillespie Golf Course.

2017

AUGUST Free summer playground program, ENERGY at the Park, ends for the season, having nearly doubled attendance figures from the previous summer.

2017

SEPTEMBER The department receives its third accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).

Plan2Play GreensboroParksandRecreationMasterPlan2038

2017

NOVEMBER Agency Landscape and Planning hired to assist in creating Plan2Play, the department’s 2038 comprehensive plan.

2017

DECEMBER Greensboro hosts the North and South Carolina Recreation and Parks Associations Joint Conference for the first time, welcoming more than 1,000 parks and professionals to the city.

2018

JANUARY Nasha McCray named Parks and Recreation Director.

2018

FEBRUARY Public phase of Plan2Play begins.

2018

MARCH Phil Fleischmann named Parks and Recreation Deputy Director. Kiwanis International features the Ole Asheboro Nature Play Yard in its magazine.

2018

APRIL Staff responds to the devastating tornado by managing distribution of donated items, operating a community resource center and food pantry, assisting community partners in operating shelters at two recreation centers, canvasing neighborhoods to check on residents, and handling hundreds of downed trees at parks.

2018

JUNE Land andWater Conservation Fund awarded Parks and Recreation a $250,000 grant for Keeley Park Phase II.

Greensboro Parks & Recreation by the Numbers

$ 16.7 MILLION 3.8 MILLION $ 53 MILLION VISITS

60% 112 +

MILES OF TRAILS & GREENWAYS

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF P&R FACILITIES

RESIDENTS THAT LIVE WITHIN A ½ MILE OF A PARK

FISCAL YEAR 2017-2018 BUDGET

5 4 4 3 14

COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTERS & SPORTS FACILITIES

8000 +

ACRES OF PARKS & OPEN SPACE

POOLS

170 130 117

FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STAFF POSITIONS

BOTANICAL GARDENS

ATHLETIC FIELDS & TENNIS COURTS

CEMETERIES

LAKES

PARKS

2017 - 2018 Projects

8

26

21

2

Fitness Equipment at Sussman Park

12

16

1

4

20

18

19

3

15

10

13

25

7

5

22

Gateway Gardens Visitor Center

11

14

23

9

17

Ruth Wicker Tribute to Women

24

6

Master Plans Developed 1. Smith Community Center Park 2. Peeler Community Park Renovation & Improvement Projects Completed 3. Windsor Pool Improvements 4. Inflatable Pool Equipment for Peeler Recreation Center 5. Fitness Equipment at Sussman Park 6. Stormwater

Construction in Progress 7. Barber Park Community Building and the Ruth Wicker Tribute to Women 8. Henry Street Park Renovation 9. Brown Recreation Center Accessible Community Garden Beds 10. Steelman Park Fitness Equipment and Trail Realignment 11. Griffin Park Dog Park 12. Keeley Park Phase II

Design and Bid Projects In Progress 13. Gateway Gardens Visitors Center Completion 14. Smith High School Tennis Courts 15. Dudley High School Tennis Courts 16. Page High School Tennis Courts 17. Woodlea Acres Tennis Courts 18. Lake Daniel Tennis Courts 19. Sunset Hills Tennis Courts 20. Latham Park Tennis Fence Replacement 21. Brightwood Park Development

Under Design 22. Glenwood Recreation Center Accessible Bathroom 23. Hester Park Turf Restoration 24. Trotter Recreation Center Exterior Improvements 25. Glenwood Park Improvements 26. Battleground Parks District Phase I

Improvement Project at Brown Recreation Center

Planning and Project Development

Shawna Tillery Planning & Project Development Division Manager

Elizabeth Jernigan, Planner Vonda Martin, Planner

Parks, trails and greenway planning is an important function to creating an exceptional parks and recreation system. Our division must understand parks and recreation trends, demographics, and needs of the community to make our development innovative and inspiring. This has been a busy year for Planning. In late 2017, we began the process of planning the department’s 2038 comprehensive system-wide plan, Plan2Play. This will be our road map for community recreation for the next 20 years, created with the assistance of a team of consultants lead by Agency Landscape and Planning. Since the public process began in February 2018, we have received more 3,000 online survey responses, more than 600 ideas from nine community events, and over 1,400 comments in public participation polls that were distributed across the city at recreation centers

and libraries. There was also a statistically valid survey conducted by the consultants to ensure that we captured a representative sample of our community.

The consultants spent months reviewing every aspect of our system, from staff levels to spending and beyond. They compared our existing operations and facilities against national recreation trends and demographic data. They developed the theme “Enhance, Expand, and Connect” for Plan2Play, which is about how we enhance and expand what we already have, and offer the community more ways to connect. Plan2Play will be completed in fall 2018, with implementation of recommendations to start shortly thereafter. We also updated our Capital Improvement Plan and completed master plans for the Smith Senior Center Park on Fairview Street and Peeler Community Park. In addition to master planning, we’ve also completed several exciting projects this past year. Through a grant awarded by the Duke Energy Water Resources Fun,

we built an accessible kayak launch at Lake Higgins. It provides individuals of all abilities the opportunity to enjoy the lake. We also completed gate and fencing upgrades at the Windsor pool to increase safety and installed fitness equipment at Sussman Park. New projects are also underway, including the dog park at Griffin Park, improvements to tennis courts citywide, the new community building and Ruth Wicker Tribute to Women at Barber Park, and redevelopment of Henry Street and Brightwood Parks. We are also moving forward with projects approved on the 2016 bond referendum and in the recent round of Participatory Budgeting. Photos: Residents give feedback at a Plan2Play Community Conversation (lower left). Tennis courts across the city got an upgrade this year (upper left). Lake Higgins’ new kayak launch can be used by people of any ability (above).

75% 85% 68% 46%

THINK OUR PROGRAMS OR FACILITIES ARE GOOD OR EXCELLENT

SAID AN INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE PARK FOR CHILDREN OF ALL ABILITIES AND AGES WAS EXTREMELY OR VERY IMPORTANT

Plan2Play SURVEY TAKERS:

SAID TRAILS AND GREENWAYS ARE SOME OF OUR BIGGEST ASSETS

THINK WE SHOULD EXPAND OUR OUTDOOR RECREATION PROGRAMS, LIKE HIKES, GARDEN WALKS, AND ADVENTURE TRIPS

Community Recreation Services

Michelle Gill-Moffat, Youth Services Superintendent Austin Homan, Athletics Superintendent

Phil Fleischmann Deputy Director & Former Community Recreation Services Division Manager

community. And again this year, our community recreation centers offered free meals to participants in our afterschool and summer day camp programs. We positioned ourselves to better respond to the expectations and needs of our community by establishing new advisory boards for Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation (AIR) and Athletics and re-vamping the Cultural Center Council. The City’s Community Food Task Force, also under the guidance of Parks and Recreation, developed its first leadership team to guide new endeavors. Smith Senior Center’s advisory board remains a strong resource in guiding our programming for active older adults. Charles Jackson, CPRP, Special Programs Superintendent Kim Porter, CPRP, Recreation Centers Superintendent Josh Sherrick, CPRP, City Arts & Events Superintendent

The Community Recreation Services Division, or CRS, is the department’s recreation programming arm. However, we are about so much more than providing traditional programs such as sports, arts, camps, operating and maintaining indoor recreation facilities, athletic complexes, and lakes. We provide experiences and opportunities that promote and enhance quality of life, build skills, and inspire collaboration for those of all ages and abilities. We pride ourselves on shaping lives and making a difference in our community. We do so through the tireless efforts of our talented, committed staff and partners. In the last year, with the support of community partners, we expanded our

community garden network with the establishment of a new club garden at Brown Community Recreation Center, the Ivy Garden. This increases the number of community gardens in our inventory to 7, advancing our commitment to addressing food access challenges in our

1.3 MILLION 381,500 73,600 54,729

PROGRAM & FACILITY ATTENDANCE

RECREATION CENTER VISITORS

SMITH SENIOR CENTER VISITORS

RECREATION PROGRAMS OFFERED FREE MEALS TO KIDS

2,301

Key Accomplishments • Start Smart Sports baseball, a national model which presents sports to preschool children, was introduced. • Youth Baseball League streamlined registration, pricing, and resources, resulting in consistency and growth of program. • Tennis skill development programs were expanded to Craft and Lindley Centers with the support of the Greensboro Tennis Foundation. • Metropolitan Junior Baseball League Inner City Classic returned to Greensboro. • The Van Dyke Performance Space, a specialized arts venue located in the Greensboro Cultural Center, completed its inaugural season of operations. • New seasonal special events were offered at Brown, Griffin, Peeler, Warnersville, andWindsor recreation centers. • iCan Bike and iCan Swim programs offered for children with disabilities.

In addition to growing advisory groups, we unveiled our first program proposal process in an effort to promote opportunities for nonprofits to partner with the department to grow our

recreation offerings. This summer, we introduced new summer day camp training for staff to ensure consistent high quality skill-enriching experiences for the 700 children who participate in our camps each week. We also worked with the Greensboro Public Library to produce a new ‘Teen’s Guide to Summer’ that highlights all the Summer Night Lights programs happening within the City. We’re also proud of the work Parks and Recreation staff did to assist in the relief efforts for the tornado that hit East Greensboro on April 15. Our team worked with other City and County agencies, individuals, and community groups to provide significant support to the emergency efforts, including operating a supply pantry at Peeler Community Recreation Center and assisting with the Red Cross emergency relief shelters established at Glenwood andWindsor Community Recreation Centers.

277 271 28 16

SENIOR GAMES & SILVER ARTS PARTICIPANTS SUMMER TEEN PROGRAMS OFFERED FREE CONCERTS COMMUNITY BANDS & CHORAL ENSEMBLES

13

PLAYS AND MUSICALS

Park Operations

Johnny Galbreath, Botanical Gardens Superintendent Mike Moye, Cemeteries Superintendent Tony Royal, Regional Parks Superintendent Mike Simpson, Specialized Park Services Superintendent Doug Tanis, Athletic Turf Superintendent

Ron McMillan Park Operations Division Manager

Park Operations Division (POD) keeps Parks and Recreation running with a wide range of special expertise. From plant care to end-of-life services, athletic field maintenance to sprayground operations, greenway stewardship to setup of special events, POD constructs and cares for the amenities our residents enjoy. The POD staff recently consolidated offices and moved to a new central location at 320 E. Friendly Ave. and realigned internal functions to include an Athletic Turf Maintenance Section. This relocation and consolidation increases the quality and care of our facilities and provides a more seamless experience for people who need our services. In the last year, POD has worked hard to improve the appearance of our parks to make them more pleasurable for patrons. We completed more than 80 projects at our regional parks, including painting, roofing, and landscaping. POD also continues to offer significant staffing and other support for the many regional and national athletic tournaments that use our facilities. Events like the recent US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Championships, which

brought an estimated 15,600 players and spectators to Bryan Park in June 2018 and generated an estimated $12.6 million in economic impact for the City. We’re proud to play our part, showcasing our great parks.

Key Accomplishments • Established the Children’s Edible Garden at Gateway Gardens, in partnership with Hayes-Taylor YMCA, NC Cooperative Extension, NC A&T State University, and community partners. • Constructed the Old Mill, a replica grain mill at David Caldwell Historic Park, with support from Greensboro Beautiful. • Initiated the Picnic in the Gardens food truck program. • Installed new ornamental grasses, pollinator meadow, and bee hives at Greensboro Arboretum. • Established new multi-purpose field in Willow Oaks neighborhood for drop-in community use. • Opened department’s first archery range at Hester Park. • Protected more than 100 trees against Emerald Ash Borer, protecting Greensboro’s invaluable tree canopy within its open spaces. • More than 5,600 dogwood seedlings were provided to Guilford County fifth graders in partnership with Greensboro Beautiful Inc. and other community partners.

2.5 MILLION VISITORS TO REGIONAL PARKS, GARDENS, & LAKES

LITTER & RECYCLABLES COLLECTED THROUGH COMMUNITY-WIDE CLEAN-UP PROGRAMS 2 TONS

TREES PLANTED 396

Administrative Services

Kathy Cates, City Beautiful Director Gregg Everett, Safety Administrator Christine Kepic, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Human Resources Representative

Deanna Shoe, Finance Analyst Bernadette White, CPRP, Project Coordinator Alex Zaleski, Volunteer Services Coordinator

Every agency has a team of staff working largely behind the scenes to ensure that it functions efficiently and effectively. The Administrative Services team is comprised of staff completing functions such as finance and accounting, marketing, technology, human resources, volunteer coordination, risk management, and accreditation. Other key functions of this division include general administrative

support, customer service, and providing resource coordination on behalf of key partners supporting the department including Greensboro Beautiful Inc., Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc., and the Friends of Greensboro Parks and Recreation Foundation.

$ 309,939 $ 246,681 44,022 24,000 7,809

GRANTS

DONATIONS & SPONSORSHIPS

Key Accomplishments • Internal employee professional development program, SEED, launched online to streamline trainings offered and better connect employees to a variety of development opportunities. • Department re-accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). We met 150 out of 151 CAPRA standards; a near-perfect rating which reflects the excellence and precision in which we serve.

VOLUNTEER HOURS SERVED

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS

VOLUNTEERS

170

SPECIAL EVENTS PERMITTED

Thank you to our many sponsors and partners who have supported Greensboro Parks & Recreation within the last year.

Action Greensboro Adair Armfield

Friends of Greensboro Parks & Recreation Foundation Gail E. Gassen Gary and Patty Brown Ghassan’s Fresh Mediterranean Eats Girl Scouts Carolina Peaks to Piedmont Greensboro Beautiful Greensboro College Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc. Greensboro Elks Lodge Greensboro Farmers Market Inc. Greensboro Kiwanis Club Greensboro Orthopaedics Greensboro Public Library Greensboro Regional Realtors Association Inc. Greensboro Regional Tennis Association Greensboro Running Club Greensboro Science Center Greensboro Sports Commission Greensboro Tennis Foundation Greensboro Tennis Program Greensboro United Soccer Association Guilford College Guilford County Schools Guilford Horticultural Society Hayes-Taylor YMCA Honda Jet

Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro Inc. Humana Irene Ford, friends and family James and Melinda Ogburn Jason and Amy Black Jerri Linn Phillips John and Joan Dilworth John and Maria Rich John and Martha Chandler Joseph M. Bryan Jr. Joseph M. Bryan Foundation JustOne Foundation Landon Johnson Laurie & Oliver Lloyd Life Storage Little Caesars Marc and Janis Bush Margaret Schenck Martha and Spencer Love Foundation Master Gardener Volunteers of Guilford County Moore Music Company National Forum for Black Public Administrators National Recreation and Park Association Natty Greene’s NC A&T State University NC Cooperative Extension at Guilford County

NC Recreation and Park Association New Garden Landscaping and Nursery Next to Nature Landscape Design Out of the Garden Project Pennybyrn Penny D. Powell Piedmont Triad Regional Council of Government Area Agency on Aging Proehlific Park Rebecca Pritchard Regional Land Surveyors Richard R. Allen Rotary Clubs of Greensboro Inc. Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs of Greensboro Say Yes to Education Guilford Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC Smith Senior Center Honey Bee Helpers Stacey Black Becher Steven Tanger Summit Rotary T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society The Arc of Greensboro UNC-Greensboro UPS VF Corporation Weaver Foundation WFDD-88.5 Public Radio of the Triad WhiteStone

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. – Sigma Kappa Omega Chapter ArtsGreensboro Bayer Feed a Bee Grant Program Bethany Medical Center Betty and Joe Mullin BB&T Board Paradise Bob & Deb Krumroy Boy Scouts of America – ONS Chapter Cone Health Foundation Curry CPA, PLLC Dow Corning Corporation Downtown Greensboro Inc. Drama Center Booster Club Duke Energy Water Resources Fund Estate of Mary Alice Kurr- Murphy Fat Tire Society First Bank First Tee of the Triad Fox 8 / WHGP Foundation for the Carolinas – Carolina Panthers Challenger League Grant Fresh Empire Friends of Green Hill Cemetery Dan and Judy McGinn David and Janet Craft Dicks Sporting Goods

NC Land andWater Conservation Fund NC Native Plant Society NC 811