Session Title: (543) Reimagining Parks: More Than a Post-Pandemic Slogan

Session Type: Education Session Talk
Topic(s): Operations and Maintenance, Programming, Revenue Development
Funding

Day/Time: Thursday - Block 9
10/12/2023 02:00 PM (Central Time (US & Canada)) - 10/12/2023 03:00 PM (Central Time (US & Canada))

Room: Room C155

Audience Experience Level: Any level
Audience Familiarity with DEI: Any Level
CEU: 0.1

Description:
Since the global pandemic, park and recreation agencies have been forced to look at everything we do through a new lens as we adapt to new and evolving expectations and behaviors from our communities and employees. Those unwilling to adapt and revaluate their parks, facilities, and programs are likely struggling to succeed in the new normal. But hasn't that always been true?

This session will highlight how a CAPRA accredited, two-time National Gold Medal Award winning, and high cost recovery agency embraced the mantra of "Reimagining Parks" before anyone heard of COVID and how this mindset prepared us to evolve and innovate at hyperspeed once our world was transformed overnight. From park and facility renovations to program adaptations, public engagement, financial management, and talent recuitement and retention, we'll share our successes and lessons learned as we plowed through the challenges exacerbated by the pandemic over the past several years.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify strategies to increase revenues and reduce expenses to help increase cost recovery
2. Describe cost-effective tools to assist with talent acquisition and retention
3. Identify ways to effectively engage the community in planning efforts

Speaker(s):

Michael Klitzing
Kurtis Baumgartner