Passing the torch for recreation.

The city of Lebanon is quite successful. It has been named one of the best small cities in the United States, its region is home to many Winter Olympics champions and it was also host to the Olympic torch relay.

So it's no wonder that the Lebanon Recreation and Parks Department continues to thrive, offering its residents some of the best, diverse programming in the state. While the city is home to 12,500 residents, it serves the Upper Valley region with a total population of 65,000.

Through continued professional development of its staff in sports program administration, extensive education programs and training manuals for coaches, regular communication and evaluation with parents and athletes, cooperation with its school district, surrounding communities and non-public sports program providers, and a supportive media, the youth sports experience in the Upper Valley region has become a model for other communities, says Cindy Heath, Lebanon Recreation and Parks Department director.

Some special programming includes the Skatepark Odyssey; where the department invited inline skaters, and skateboarders to different skateparks throughout New Hampshire to ask their opinion about what they liked and didn't like. These field trips resulted in the development of an above-ground skatepark that was built with funds from various private and non-profit organizations such as the Lebanon Rotary Club and nearby Dartmouth College.

"Partnerships have been key," says Heath. Partnerships helped Lebanon when it hosted the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay in December 2001. "Staff from three communities, Dartmouth College officials, school faculty and administrators, businesses, civic groups and community members participated in over a year of planning and preparation to host the greatest symbol of unity, spirit and understanding in the world," Heath says.

The passing of the torch was witnessed by 5,000 people, the largest gathering in the history of Lebanon. The spectacle climaxed with a ski slope demonstration, where one of Lebanon's youth ski jumpers, jumped off the ski slope into a ring of fire to light the cauldron on stage in downtown Lebanon.

In addition to some of the Recreation and Parks Department's spectacular programming, it also concentrates on conserving land and providing outdoor recreation for its citizens. There are currently 21 different conservation areas on the river. Lebanon's Recreation and Parks Department is working to convert an old railroad yard, which is on the national historic registry, into an historical trail, complete with boat launch, bicycle and walking trails and an educational area that will tell the tale of the railroad yard. Another project in the works is a 40-acre sports field complex on the river that is being developed through support by a local aerospace company.

There are many communities in New Hampshire that strive and succeed in offering quality sports programs for all. Lebanon is no exception. Its recreation professionals share information freely to help improve their programs and facilities. Lebanon Recreation and Parks Department has a unique blend of sports providers in its town, with independent leagues, the school district and the city all participating.

"My personal and professional view is that we couldn't have a better group of administrators communicating the values of a positive youth sports experience to our community," say Heath. "Regularly, we have people move into town and comment on the quality and positive nature of our programs compared to where they came from. This type of response can only happen when collectively, everyone works together to provide the best experiences possible for individual participants as they progress through participating in the sports experience in their lives."

For more information, log on to www.lebcity.com.