Untold Stories of Parks and Recreation

It’s easy to use facts and statistics to explain the large-scale power the Parks and Recreation departments in Pennsylvania can have on communities – but it’s harder to use just numbers to describe the day-to-day experience of park professionals and park goers, the motivation they inspire, and the good deeds they do. These personal stories can give a deeper insight into everything that makes PA parks and recreation so special. We’re looking to illuminate the power park professionals and the community can have on one another within the PA Parks and Rec departments – not through statistics, but through impactful, empowering, and emotional stories. In fact, it was the writer, Joseph Campbell, who once said, “People forget facts, but they remember stories.”

We can start with Black History Month – a time for acknowledging the stories, often untold, of African Americans. Much of that history involves parks and this country’s natural resources. Check out our previous blog to read more about this historic partnership and the untold stories that go along with it.

What’s one of the most fulfilling parts of being a park and rec professional? Getting to work, teach, and inspire – especially children, hoping to instill in the future generations a love of all things nature. Let’s face it: Everyone remembers that one camp counselor that was their favorite, or a sport instructor that changed their outlook on the game. The chance that you get to be that special figure in a child’s life? Priceless. 

Former Parks and Recreation Director of Peters Township, Michele began their parks career as early as 16 years old, working at an amusement park. When they became Waterfront Director at Hiram House Camp in Ohio, they were able to see the powerful impact they could have as a park professional. “Our resident campers often came from less fortunate situations. This is where I felt I was making the most difference,” said Michele. 

One little boy in particular became quite attached to Michele as Michele helped him learn new things and make new friends. The little boy even told Michele, “I want you to stay forever.” (That is truly melting our hearts!) When it was time to say goodbye, Michele had to hold back tears as the little boy hugged them so tight and told them he didn’t want to go. Of the experience, Michele said “I realized that I had an opportunity to make a difference in that little boy’s life. I helped him experience things he may not have otherwise!” 

Park professionals don’t just have the opportunity to change a child’s life, but that of an entire community (and their dogs!) It can be valuable to learn about all the work that goes into creating a new park or facility and show how much these professionals truly care!

West Goshen Township’s parks and recreation director Ken knows a thing or two about creating a new park. Opening West Goshen’s first dog park in 2005 was no easy feat. Ken’s team researched other surrounding dog parks and attended education sessions to learn best practices when it came to dog park rules. Despite the amount of prep involved, Ken still had his worries once the park opened – patrons picking up after their animal, taking care of the grass, disputes between dog owners. “I can say that many of our concerns were realized, but the value of the dog park to the community makes it worth the negatives,” said Ken. 

It’s ruff indeed, but it’s worth it. The best part about the park (besides seeing the joy in all the pup’s faces when they enter)? The community it’s been able to build among dog owners and the gratitude they have for the space. “They learn more about one another and friendships form. I have heard stories of dog park user’s dog sitting for one another if someone goes on vacation,” Ken told us. 

The COVID-19 pandemic was not an easy time for park professionals. With social distancing and fears of leaving the house, it was hard to keep communities thriving. It’s important to recognize the work park and rec professionals put in during this trying time. 

Recreation Coordinator of Upper Dublin Township Erin faced this dilemma in 2020, after hosting five promising community events the year before. What would Erin do with all that potential growth once the pandemic came around? “As a Parks & Recreation professional, I leaned on creativity, flexibility, adaptability and keeping up to date with the newest trends … we looked for ways to keep our community engaged and healthy during this unprecedented time,” said Erin. 

The solution? Expand the virtual world of parks and recreation. Erin worked to develop interactive social media activities, like games and scavenger hunts, plus programs that were formatted to virtual settings. The idea was to keep people outside and active, while socially distanced, and not just in the form of the face-in-your-screen Pokemon GO! Erin didn’t let the pandemic slow down their work and already looked to the future of PA parks and recreation: “We were busy creating reopening plans, health & safety guidelines and protocols to safely begin offering in-person camps and programs as soon as possible … I can see a silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic: a time for Parks & Recreation to shine as an essential public service.”

And finally, a PA park and recreation lover Tonya shared how important park and recreation programs are, being influenced by the free summer playground program they attended as a child. Tonya reflected on how they were able to enjoy the outdoors from sunrise to sunset because of this program.

Of that time, Tonya said “Those days taught me to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors, skipping stones on the pond, turning over rocks in the cold stream, catching numerous crayfish, the camaraderie of group games, board games, and even arts and crafts. The quality time with enthusiastic, fun-loving physical education teachers who were, unknowingly, influential to a young person like me. The benefits of such play led to benefits of skill-related fitness, cooperation, teamwork, and leadership and conflict resolution.” 

Imagine how many other untold stories of parks and recreation there are. These were only just a few. Begin scratching even further than the surface and ask a park-going friend or a park professional to tell you a story. You may just learn something new.