Pacific region. (Regional Reports).

Past president of NRPA's Student Branch, Katie Lillo, is working for Los Angeles as a legislative deputy for the City Council. "It's not exactly the direction that most recreation administration graduates take," says Lillo, "but it actually has been quite educational towards a future job in a parks and recreation department. I've had the opportunity to see how city departments are run from the governmental point of view."

In mid December, the Contra Costa County (Calif.) Board of Supervisors passed a resolution committing the county to supporting the expansion of after-school programs. The board will assist all interested elementary and middle schools in accessing and utilizing Proposition 49 resources. Passed last November, Proposition 49--the After School Education and Safety Program Act of 2002--will provide grants to elementary and middle schools in California for after-school programs.

The National School-Age Care Alliance will host its 15th annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, from Feb. 27 through March 1. The conference is for after-school professionals and will include sessions on programming, youth development, evaluations, community collaboration, public policy and professional development. For more information, visit www.nsacaconference. com or call 800-606-0061.

MSACA CONFERENCE 2003

Congratulations to NRPA Member James Meredith, Simi Valley, Calif., winner of the 2002 APRS Meritorious Citizen Service Award.

Sportime recently announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with San Diego State University to assume the marketing and dissemination of the popular SPARK Programs. SPARK (Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids) will operate as a division of Sportime, and includes programs for children pre-school age to middle school. There's even a component for after-school programs in recreation settings. Each SPARK Program is a complete package of curriculum, staff development, follow-up support and Sportime equipment. SPARK certified trainers conduct workshops nationwide for teachers and youth leaders to improve the quantity and quality of their physical education or activity programs.

SPARK was originally funded by the National Institutes of Health in 1989, and research continued for seven years. After the initial study, which involved elementary physical education, SPARK evolved via additional projects and grants to the menu of programs offered today. The SPARK office remains in San Diego and is directed by Paul Rosengard, who has been with SPARK for more than 12 years and is one of the principal authors. For more information, go to www.sportime.com or call 800-444-5700.

Congratulations to NRPA Member Sharon Hubler, Boise, Idaho, winner of the 2002 Idaho Recreation and Park Association Dr. Leon Green Fellowship.

Oakland, Calif. has adopted a comprehensive pedestrian master plan as part of the land use and transportation element of the city's general plan. The 20-year plan is based on an analysis of collision data and an extensive community outreach process. It establishes a pedestrian route network extending throughout the city, emphasizing safe routes to school and to transit. The plan identifies policy recommendations, design elements and priority projects to promote walking as a form of transportation and recreation that's safe and accessible for all Oakland residents. The plan is available at www. oaklandnet.com/government/Pedestri an/index.html.

The National Park Service selected NRPA Associate Member Aramark, along with its partner Doyon, Limited, to provide managed services at the Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Denali National Park & Preserve, which was originally founded in 1917 as Mount McKinley National Park, encompasses 7,370 square miles along the Alaska range. This unique tourist destination offers one of the last remaining intact ecosystems in the world. The shared expertise of Doyon and Aramark is designed to deliver a high level of visitor satisfaction while preserving the park's environmental and cultural resources.