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The Parks Summit is held annually to give park and recreation professionals the opportunity to network, attend workshops, and work in a collaborative effort to form partnerships and solve problems.
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8th Annual Parks Summit
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2010 OVERVIEW
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“Surviving and Thriving in Difficult Times- Efficiencies and Collaboration”
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On Thursday, May 13, 2010, the 8th Annual Parks Summit was held at the picturesque Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. This year’s summit theme was “Surviving and Thriving in Difficult Times – Efficiencies and Collaboration”. Representatives from the various local, state, federal and non-profit agencies participated.
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| Keynote Speaker – Jack Kyser, Founding Economist, Kyser Center for Economic Research
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| Keynote Speaker – Jack Kyser, Founding Economist, Kyser Center for Economic Research
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| Motivational Speaker - Antoine Fisher, Writer “The Antoine Fisher Story,” Filmmaker, Film Producer, Inspirational/Motivational Speaker and Park Volunteer.
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Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91007
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| Keynote Speaker – Jack Kyser, discussed the economic outlook of Los Angeles County and the state of California with emphasis on trade and industry recoveries from home and auto sales, the deep recession and job market revitalization and losses. Kyser also spoke frankly about the influence of energy prices, stock fluctuations and the financial responsibility of consumers. Risks for the California economy will be in private, education, health services, construction and aerospace industries. There will be possible growth in information services, the entertainment industry and expansions and upgrades on Southern California freeways and airports. The overall economy is facing a slow but steady recovery thru 2011, per economists.
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Motivational Speaker – Antoine Fisher spoke warmly about his life experiences with parks and recreation and how his inspirational life story was greatly influenced by his first experience visiting a Los Angeles County park. He stated that his memories of older teens helping him when he fell from his bike while riding through the park, seeing friendly law enforcement and park staff who always provided a safe and fun environment reassured him that his success was due to people. He also said challenges never end and that parks are really important and provides great recreation for the entire family to enjoy!
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| Director’s Roundtable:
During the Director’s Roundtable participants from the various park organizations and municipalities all agreed to focus on one common theme, “Work Together and Share Resources,” to help create, distribute and maintain resources available to the community. There were numerous topics discussed by various park agencies for 2010 that included image branding and perception, targeting specific outreach programs and facilities and utilizing all forms of networking to develop new and better relationships with other park and recreation agencies for more progressive promotion to the community.
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| Speaker Updates were provided by:
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| Russ Guiney, Director, County of Los Angeles, Department of Parks and Recreation
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| Jodi Rudnick, California Parks and Recreation Society, the Advisor’s Marketing Group
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| Doug Houston, Legislative Consultant, the Houston Group
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| Ilona Volkmann, County of Los Angeles Regional Park and Open Space District
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| Break-out Sessions included:
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| Get on Board, “Parks Make Life Better”: The CPRS Brand Initiative
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| Digital Media / Social Networking: Exploring the Possibilities
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| Your Agency and Athletic Field Users Groups: Ensuring Compliance, Accountability and Efficiency
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| DIRECTOR’S ROUNDTABLE / JOHN WICKER MC
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| During the Director’s Roundtable participants from the various park organizations and municipalities all agreed to focus on one common theme, “Work Together and Share Resources,” to help create, distribute and maintain resources available to the community. There were numerous ideas discussed by various park agencies for 2010 that included:
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1) The City of Los Angeles budget cuts
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2) The success of a Baby Boomers “Viva Italia” event with the City of Duarte, library
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3) The perception/image of “Over Paid” government employees need to stay reputable within the community
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4) A new nationwide branding campaign: “Great Outdoor Campaign” being initiated by U. S. President Barack Obama
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5) Embracing outreach organizations
6) Non-Profit – Tutoring offered in park afternoon programs
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8) Sustainability methods
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9) Water/drought – tolerant plants
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10) Lay-off notices for teachers that affect After-School Park Programs
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11) Non-Profit Initiatives: City of Los Angeles, Recreation and Parks: Stake-holders/review, reform
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12) All City and County parks need to work together to share resources and programs
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13) City of Monrovia created a Memorandum of Understanding for their New Library and Youth Center
- Their after-school programs – took monies used for the Youth Center and YMCA will pay a small lease fee to off-set funding shortages
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14) Prop 13 was discussed regarding the economic times:
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15) Community perception in the government:
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• Community Leaders
• Harshest Critics
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i. New swimming facilities/aquatics
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ii. “President Obama’s New Initiative”- 6 weeks ago in Washington, D.C. by the Secretary of Agriculture Environmental Quality Chair includes Park Professionals, NRA, Urban Parks
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iii. Will start the 1st week of July – Salazar
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iv. More fiscal assistance with the Land and Water Conservation Program Local /Urban communities
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v. More cash/land/water conservation
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vi. Integrate other departments
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vii. U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers
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x. Regional Meeting in Los Angeles
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xii. 4 years targeting health at park summits
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xiii. Federal Initiations of America’s Great Outdoor Campaign
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17) Social Networking – Government Protocols
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18) Striving to make our agencies relevant
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19) City of Claremont – How the community relates to our department
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20) Sponsors outreach our brands to corporate sponsors: Gatorade, Target, etc.
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22) Create a common thread throughout all of the parks
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23) Regional Citywide Program
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24) The Governor’s Spotlight Awards 10,000
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26) Explore the resource of volunteers – to offset costs for maintenance, programs, etc.
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27) 2 billion Grant for lunch program
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28) Water Conservation fund NRPA – website to submit grants
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7th Annual Parks Summit
2009 OVERVIEW
“A Time for Change”
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Keynote Speaker – Ruby Newell-Legner, Speaker, Trainer and Author
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Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
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| 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA
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Keynote Speaker - Ruby Newell-Legner discussed the importance of customer service and different techniques for achieving a high level of customer service in the parks and recreation field. Ruby Newell-Legner expanded on the customer service concepts introduced during her keynote address at two separate workshops during the breakout sessions.
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| Director’s Roundtable – Revisited past efforts of the collective group which included creating community through people, parks and programs; healthy parks; how to be more green and efficient; and Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. This year, the Director’s Roundtable decided to focus on a Healthy Partners Theme and how to become better partners with each other and other agencies.
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| Speaker Updates were provided by:
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Patty Keating, Chief, California State Parks and Recreation
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Doug Houston, Legislative Consultant, The Houston Group
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Ilona Volkmann, County of Los Angeles, Regional Parks and Open Space District
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Mika Yamamoto, County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation
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Break-out Sessions included:
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Promoting Customer Service as a Leader
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Efficiencies: Short and Long Term Solutions
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How to Position Yourself and Your Department for the Future
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Importance and Benefits of Parks and Recreation Community Needs Assessment
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National Alliance for Youth Sports
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The Role of Parks and Recreation in Gang Prevention and Intervention
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Importance of Nature for Children
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6th Annual Parks Summit
2008 OVERVIEW
“Moving Toward Sustainability and Health”
Keynote Speaker – Walker Wells, AICP – Program Director, R.E.S.C.U.E.
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA.
On Wednesday, January 9, 2008, representatives Los Angeles County cities and other State, Federal, and County agencies and park and recreation personnel gathered for the Sixth Annual Parks Summit of Los Angeles County.
Key Note Speaker - Walker Wells, AICP – Program Director, R.E.S.C.U.E. discussed ways in which individuals and organizations could practice conservation and sustainability for future generations, with a specific emphasis on “urban sustainability.” The challenge that begs for a solution is how to create more sustainable urban areas, with an emphasis on infrastructure and reprogramming of societal values.
Directors’ Roundtable – Looked at what issues the different cities could focus on as a group for this year. Suggestions included a legislative delegation from the 88 cities to travel to Sacramento and lobby for common goals; branding issues and challenges in branding the “parks and recreation” field in a way that spans across all municipalities and government agencies; challenges of finding more funding for park infrastructures; supporting the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. Decision was made to support the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights and work with elected officials in each city to look for endorsement of the Bill of Rights.
Speaker Updates – Sedrick Mitchell, Deputy Director of External Affairs, California State Parks
The following breakout session were presented:
Partnering with Conservancies
Why update your Park and Open Space Master Plan?
Parks: Taking the lead in Energy Efficiency, Conservation & Sustainability
Linking State and Federal Resources and Programming with our Local Parks
Partnering and Collaborating with Nonprofits to Create Parks and Open Space.
Linking Water and Parks
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5th Annual Parks Summit
2007 OVERVIEW
“Green without Envy – Creating Sustainable Parks”
Key Note Speaker – Jennifer Wolch, Professor of Geography and Director of the Center for Sustainable Cities at the University of Southern California
On Wednesday, January 10, 2007, nearly 250 representatives from 33 cities and 25 other State, Federal, and County agencies and park and recreation personnel gathered for the Fifth Annual Parks Summit of Los Angeles County
The following breakout session were presented:
Key Note Speaker -Jennifer Wolch, Professor of Geography, Dean of Graduate Studies and Director of the Center for Sustainable Cities at the University of Southern California
Directors’ Roundtable – Regional Sustainability Policy, best practices in sustainability for parks and recreation profession, possible rating system for sustainability projects
Grants Information - Questions and Answers on State grants, pending Legislation and Proposition A funding - Ilona Volkmann, County of Los Angeles, Regional Park and Open Space
Edens Lost & Found – Discussion included how cities can make an impact on their community through restoration through community forestation, watershed management, pollution control, and mass transit. - Harry Wiland, Executive Producer, Wiland Bell Productions
Sustainability - Tips on gardening more, water wisely and reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides - Timothy Phillips, County of Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Gardens
Leadership in energy and Environmental Design (L.E.E.D) - A review of the green building techniques and how they apply to the leadership, in energy and environmental design (LEED) system - Gwynne Pugh, AIA ASCE, PUGH + SCARPA - Stephanie Ericson, AIA ASCE, PUGH + SCARPA
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4th Annual Parks Summit
2007 OVERVIEW
“People Helping People”
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On Wednesday, January 11, 2006, nearly 122 representatives of most of the 88 cities in Los Angeles County, along with Federal, State and County agencies and other park and recreation providers, gathered for the Fourth Annual Parks Summit of Los Angeles County. The theme for the day was "People Helping People."
The Parks Summit of Los Angeles County is held annually to give park and recreation professionals the opportunity to network, attend workshops, and work in a collaborative effort to form partnerships and solve problems.
The following breakout sessions were presented:
Keynote Speaker –Bruce Christopher, Bruce Christopher Seminars
Directors’ Roundtable – Issues Facing Parks and Recreation in Los Angeles County
Healthy Parks/Healthy Communities - Sue Goodwin, County of Los Angeles, Healthy Parks Commission
Expaerts on Gang: New Programs - Captain Michael Ford – County of Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department
Eagle Eye Neighborhood Park Watch Program - Cindy M. Deiters – Illinios Association of Park Districts
Recreation in Urban Areas - Nancy Rodriguez – County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services
With the changing dynamics in parks and recreation, obtaining increased funds for budgets and securing the passage of legislation is the key to successful partnerships and collaboration for park and recreation agencies.
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3rd Annual Parks Summit
2007 OVERVIEW
“Power of Place”
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On Wednesday, January 12, 2005, nearly 140 representatives of many of the 88 cities in Los Angeles County, along with Federal, State and County agencies and other park and recreation providers, gathered for the Third Annual Parks Summit of Los Angeles County. The theme for the day was "Power of Place."
The Parks Summit of Los Angeles County is held annually to discuss issues of relevance affecting the park and recreation professional and friends of parks and recreation.
The following breakout sessions were presented:
Keynote Speaker – Leo Gray, CEO/Founder of Professional Athletes and Associates
Directors’ Roundtable – Issues Facing Parks and Recreation in Los Angeles County
Legislative Forecast – Barry Weiss, President, California Park & Recreation Society and Doug Houston – The Houston Group
2004 Children’s ScoreCard – Yolie Flores-Aguilar, Executive Director, Children’s Planning Council
Funding for Operation and Maintenance – Jack Foley, People for Parks
Healthy Parks and Sue Goodwin – Los Angeles County, Healthy Parks Connection
Recognizing that alliances can change quickly as the issues change, the Parks Summit allows an investment in relationships representing the best interests for improving park and recreation services within the County.
The Department looks forward to working towards the development and implementation of creative park and recreation collaborations within the County of Los Angeles.
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Quarterly Parks Summit Update Meetings
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November 9, 2006
This Quarterly Parks Summit Meeting was hosted by Kathleen Woods, Administrator of Parks and Natural Resources for City of Pasadena Public Works Dept.
July 19, 2006
This Quarterly Parks Summit Meeting was hosted by George Chapjian, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Services City of Glendale
March 22, 2006
This Quarterly Parks Summit Meeting was hosted by Jon Kirk Mukri, General Manger
Department of Recreation and Parks for the City of Los Angeles
November 9, 2005
This Quarterly Parks Summit Meeting was hosted by Lloyd Long, Director of Human Services for the City of West Hollywood. A total of 12 cities and 6 agencies made up the attendance of 46 participants, The lunch meeting took place at Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046.
July 20, 2005
This Quarterly Parks Summit Meeting was hosted by Steve Miller, Director of Community Services for the City of Beverly Hills. Over 50 participants from 17 cities and 8 agencies attended the lunch meeting at the Historic Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. Attendees were treated to a lunch offering many of the healthy foods that have been promoted through the Healthy Parks programs. Park professionals were given an overview of the Beverly Hills park system.
Russ Guiney, Director of the County of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department was introduced as the new program leader.
Items covered included an update on th “Creating Community through People, Parks amd Programs”, the Memorandum of Understanding, “Where Do We Go From Here?”, quarterly meetings, and the 2006 Parks Summit. Speakers included Sue Goodwin, our Healthy Parks Coordinator, Doug Houston from the Houston Group on legislation, and Sheila Canzian, President of CPRS.
The meeting ended with a tour of the mansion, once home to Edward Doheny, one the most successful oil producers of his time.
MOU UPDATE
As of November 27, 2006, a total of 65 Memorandum of Understandings have been signed. This includes 56 cities and 9 agencies.
Agoura Hills, Alhambra, Arcadia, Artesia, Avalon, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bell Gardens, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Calabasas, California Conservation Corps, California Park and Recreation Society, Cerritos, Claremont, Commerce, Covina, Cudahy, Diamond Bar, Duarte, El Monte, Glendale, Inglewood, Irwindale, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Lakewood, La Caňada-Flintridge, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, La Puente, Lancaster, Lawndale, La Verne, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Monrovia, Norwalk, Mountains Restoration Trust, Paramount, Pasadena, People for Parks, Pomona, Puente Hills Landfill Native Habitat Preservation, Redondo Beach, San Dimas, San Gabriel, San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy, Santa Clarita, San Fernando, Santa Monica, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, State of California Parks and Recreation, South El Monte, Torrance, Trust for Public Land, Walnut, West Covina, West Hollywood, Whittier.
For your convenience, you may print the blank MOU and once completed mail to:
Elva Espinoza
Executive Office
Parks and Recreation
433 S. Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90020
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