Yesterday I retired from my ten-year tenure as the CEO of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society. It was a fabulous run!
Today, I begin as the part-time President of the new People, Parks & Community Foundation. The potential is vast!
Grateful for the privilege to serve both organizations, I now step forward with new aspirations to connect people and places, and neighborhoods and nature, in difference-making impacts. Bring it on!
Books have brought me into worlds I wouldn’t otherwise know
This past year’s reading has brought me into worlds and cultures I wouldn’t otherwise know. I have visited Nazi Germany (three times), ancient Palestine, Soviet Russia, Revolutionary Russia, Cold War Europe, South Africa, Victorian Australia, Spanish colonization, Antarctica, even those spheres of oppression, depression, gene editing, scientific research, cosmology, and quantum physics.
These books have taught me more about myself and those around me. I have reveled in the wonders of my own body, and have gained insights into wellness, happiness, and better working and personal relationships.
These books have ignited my imagination through creative storytelling. I’ve entered several classic tales for the first time, and have revisited some inspiring old favorites.
These books have expanded my knowledge in a great many subjects: natural, geologic, and cultural history; economics, public policy, activism; exploitation, greed, commerce, philanthropy; psychology, volunteer organizing, and leadership in philosophical differences and changing cultures. And so much more!
My favorites and recommendations are noted with an asterisk. But here are my special mentions:
a sure investment
Helping train our emerging leaders is always rewarding – both now and in the future! Day 2 of the intensive Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society’s Leadership Academy included sessions on successful communications and creating collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, a working lunch, but also a few moments for a Class of 2024 selfie!
Part 2 of our visit to British Columbia
From Vancouver, we drove north along the coast to picturesque Porteau Cove Provincial Marine Park. Situated on the most southerly fjord in North America, the park offers waterfront campsites with a view over Howe Sound to the mountains beyond. Purposely sunk in the cove is an old boat to attract scuba divers and other marine life.
But our main objective that day was the Britannia Mine Museum National Historic Site at Britannia Beach. Once an isolated company town, it supported one of the largest copper producing mines in the British Empire—with 240 km of tunnels in the mountains above it. It lies within the territory of the Squamish Nation, who had lived along the river banks for thousands of years, but had no permanent large settlements because of the mountains’ steep slopes right into the water.
The third and largest mill built on that site was erected 101 years ago, and processed 2,500 tons of ore per day, but eventually closed down in 1974. The raw ore entered at the top of the 20-story mill that crushed and ground it in each successive floor until the valuable metals and minerals were separated from the waste rock.
Before we entered the mill, though, we enjoyed a short tour by mine car through a section of the tunnel system. As we entered the bottom floor of the old mill built into the side of the mountain, we gaped up at its enormity. But the most memorable part of that visit was a truly clever and engaging light, sound, and live-action immersive show that interpreted how the old mill operated within that architectural marvel. (I’ve been in the educational/interpretational field for more than 40 years, and that’s the best presentation I’ve ever seen. If you’re going out of your way to coastal British Columbia, I recommend the tour!)
After the tour, we stopped at Shannon Falls Provincial Park to once again gaze upward toward mount and sky to soak in the sights and sounds of the gushing falls and rushing river.
Before we flew cross-country home, we made it a day in Vancouver’s famous Stanley Park. Larger than New York City’s Central Park (the natives are proud to boast!), the west coastal rainforest offers fantastic interaction with scenic waterfronts, majestic trees and mountains, and an abundance of cherished natural assets and cultural/historic riches.
We leisurely clopped along in an hour-long horse-drawn carriage tour, pulled by a pair of Percherons, with stops at Deadman’s Island, Totem Poles, Brockton Point Lighthouse, Lumberman’s Arch, and the Girl in the Wetsuit Statue—a takeoff of Denmark’s famous little mermaid. On our own power, we also visited the Lions Gate Bridge, the Vancouver Aquarium, Prospect Point, Third Beach, and Jericho Beach. From our elevated position, we were able to watch an enormous cargo ship leaving the Vancouver harbor.
Our red-eye flight home left at midnight from Vancouver, with a three-hour layover in Chicago starting at dawn, circling down over Lake Michigan. We arrived home via an Uber ride from our local airport at 12:30 pm. We ended our adventures with a drop-dead nap in our own bed, but with glad and thankful hearts for the full, enriching experience.
My son once critiqued a movie as just a series of people staring at things. And I think he was justified in that one. But in our recent first-time visit to Seattle, Washington, we found that staring at things is what we did most productively.
First, I had a professional purpose to the trip: the city was hosting Greater & Greener, a biennial international urban parks conference for urban planners, park innovators, and policymakers. (I missed the last forum two years ago, hosted in Philadelphia in my home state, because that’s the week I suffered a passing-out case of covid!)
So the prime point of view was first to learn from the expertise and vision of those around the globe who are doing remarkable work in harnessing the power of parks to create more sustainable, resilient, vibrant, and equitable cities. Its opening reception was held at Pier 62 Waterfront Park, and its closing reception at the Seattle landmark and National Register of Historic Place Gas Works Park at Lake Union. Enlightening and beautiful!
But of course, while we were there, we took in the peculiar, picturesque sights of the city—starting with the famous Space Needle, with views from the ground, our hotel window, and from its top—from its rotating glass floor.
We toured The Marketplace, with its crowded cacophony of fishy smells, offbeat wares, cafes, retail niches, and sideshows. We rode the city’s famous Monorail, built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, sitting right up front next to the young driver who engaged us in conversation about its unique history. We walked the fascinating streets, marveling at the variety of transportation methods, its quaint nooks, and its gleaming modernity. We gaped at the Norwegian Bliss, a cruise ship of 22 decks (!) docked at the terminal on Pier 66.
We particularly enjoyed the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum featuring the career work of artist Dale Chihuly in eight galleries, a centerpiece Glasshouse, and a lush garden.
We very much found Seattle—with its uncommonly good weather during our stay—a particularly enticing city with a rich palette of intellectual, visual, cultural, and historic vistas. 5 stars.
Today’s news announced that the 2034 Winter Olympic Games will be returning to Salt Lake City, Utah, the host of the 2002 Games. Yay for Team USA!
Carol and I recently enjoyed a guided tour of Salt Lake’s Olympic Village following a professional conference at a nearby ski resort. It was a thrill to gaze down from the top of the 120 meter ski jump. The mountains in the distance offered just as spectacular a view—but less dizzying!
I am now a bobsledder, if one run makes one so! Set on wheels for the summer tourist runs, and piloted by a trained driver, the daring can team up with three other brave souls and hurtle down the track at 70-75 mph, experiencing 3-4 Gs—starting right past the sign that warns “severe injury or death can occur beyond this point.” (Here we see the only bobsled Carol would get in: bolted to the concrete!)
We did receive a brief prep: put on this hoodie, and this helmet. When you fold yourself into the sled, bend your knees, but angle your feet flat on the floor; extend your hands through the wrist straps; hunch and hold your shoulders up to cushion your neck and keep your head from flopping around. Now push outward with your arms against the sides of the sled to keep you inside. One thing more: breathe! And with that, the attendant gave us a walking push down the innocuous-looking track.
Fifty-eight wild, jarring seconds later we reached the bottom: shaken, not stirred. And I discovered that I was out of breath. Apparently, despite the advice, I forgot to breathe!
We enjoyed lunch on an observation deck by the Freestyle pools where would-be Olympians of all ages took turns cruising the slopes down and up into a flip into the bubbly water below.
We then left Olympic Village for the Weber River valley. At Weber Crossing in 1846, the Donner party was left a note instructing them not to go through Weber Canyon. Instead, they blazed a trail to Salt Lake Valley, which the Mormons followed for the next 22 years.
But we, aboard a bus, arrived at the same site for a more recreational sojourn: a mostly calm raft ride, save for a few surprisingly placed rapids. One raft from our company approached a boulder from a slightly wrong angle, and two of our friends promptly pitched into the fizzy drink. We were able to drag one of them into our raft, while the other unfortunate was rescued by her own mates. We then stopped and gave the soaker back.
Near the end of the river journey, our guide instructed us to lie sideways across the raft, facing up. We soon discovered why: the river was a bit high, and that’s the only way we’d fit under the upcoming concrete bridge. During that brief, darkened passage, I hand-spanned the distance from my forehead to the bridge’s flat underbelly. Our friends in the other raft had to stop and portage around the obstacle.
The river and mountain scenery was gorgeous, but of course we didn’t bring our cameras or phones along. As the guide explained, “your phone may be waterproof, but it sinks.” So we have glommed a few pics from others.
(Carol and I were in Utah while I attended a meeting with my counterparts from other state park and recreation associations. One night, we dined in a basement restaurant with curtained corner booths that reminded us of the Harmonia Gardens in Hello Dolly! This year, many of us opted to take an extra day off the clock to enjoy some of the special attractions of northern Utah. This other view I call Sunset Strip: straight down Main Street, Park City, UT.)
We ended our lovely, exhausting day with a barbeque at Wasatch Mountain State Park, where the lingering sun didn’t even begin setting until after 9 pm local time.
a deserving annual recognition
Celebrated all across the country today is Park and Recreation Professionals Day—an annual, deserving recognition of those who work to keep our public spaces clean, safe and ready to use.
These dedicated professionals preserve, maintain and improve our natural and cultural assets that support local economies, healthful and active lifestyles, and vibrant and resilient communities. They and their diverse public services are truly indispensable!
And it pleases me immensely that the Day’s special purpose, which I conceived while walking on a neighborhood trail six years ago, has since been so embraced by people nationwide, who recognize and celebrate what these local heroes bring to their own communities.
Earlier this week I attended the Centre County Commissioners to receive their Proclamation of the day. Today I was privileged to present at a “Spotlight Celebration” highlighting Butler County’s exemplary park and recreation staff, programs and facilities.
I join with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in encouraging all “to learn about the remarkable work of park and recreation professionals… and support their efforts by exploring our beautiful local, state and national parks.”
The Council of State Executive Directors met this week in Park City, Utah. The annual gathering focuses on trends and best practices of association management, and mutual issues in the recreation and park profession.
But we are more than just colleagues. We are a gregarious, fun, engaging (and exhausting!) bunch who continually and passionately invests in each other. This is my greatest gang of professional associates and personal friends – my collective, got-your-back brain trust. I appreciate and love them all.
Everyone needs such a herd. Who’s in yours?
The summer games at Penn State
The Special Olympics PA provides year-round sports training and competition in Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. It’s one they look forward to all year.
And on Friday, thousands of athletes, coaches, families, and friends met at Penn State University for their annual Summer Games. It is the largest statewide competition, attracting more than 2000 athletes and 750 coaches.
It was a real joy to volunteer at the Games, along with several of my co-workers. We were assigned to the Track staging area, helping the athletes get checked in and lined up for their races: 100 meter walk, 200 meter run, 800 meter run and walk, 5000 meter run, and the pentathlon 400 meter dash.
If you’ve never interacted with such pure-hearted people as those who compete in the Special Olympics, seek it out: you’ll be enriched from the experience!
in the bucolic central Pennsylvania mountains
A long drive on gravel roads through Bald Eagle State Forest afforded some wonderful moments with unspoiled nature. Happy to share the views!
