The future of parks and recreation: Robbie Bach, Power Session speaker and pioneer of the digital entertainment industry reveals how technology will change the field.

Robbie Bach, the president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at the Microsoft Corporation, will lend his technology knowledge to an eager park and recreation ear when he speaks at the 2006 NRPA Congress & Exposition on Oct. 13. Bach is in charge of creating a vision for the company's role in entertainment technologies, including music, television and video, as well as the Interactive Entertainment Business, which includes Xbox[R] and Games for Windows[R].

Bach has spent 16 years at Microsoft. He sits on the board of governors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and is the chairman of the Entertainment Software Association. Bach chatted with Parks & Recreation magazine about the integration of technology into the field of parks and recreation.

How has technology changed the way people use their free time?

"A great deal of Microsoft's focus has been around making people more productive with their time. When it comes to spending that free time, we have seen how the Internet, especially broadband, has transformed how people communicate and how they choose their entertainment. Families can now easily build Web sites to showcase family photos; teens around the world are blogging and instant messaging to share photos and stay in touch with friends; and many people organize and play digital music through Windows PCs and portable entertainment devices. We have also seen an explosion of mobile devices worldwide. This ability to stay connected from anywhere and nearly any place can turn a spare moment into an opportunity for fun. There's certainly the flip side in that many may want to disconnect. But, like I mentioned, technology is a tool. It's how you use it--or choose not to use it--that makes the difference."

In what ways can the field of parks and recreation better use existing technologies?

"The key is seeing technology as a tool. The opportunities are truly endless to incorporate technology into how park and recreation departments work, and also in how people can utilize them. I live in Washington state, and I already see state and local park departments using the web for information and promotion, from finding a local soccer field to finding out where and when to hike. One of the things we are focusing on at Microsoft is helping build communities online.

Take a basic example of using a local soccer field. Over the course of a year, hundreds of families will visit or use that field, as will probably dozens of teams. Is there a way to keep that community informed so they know when it's available, when it's under repair and are able keep track of other teams? This might lead to finding out that another soccer team wants to play a game.

The community essentially builds upon itself and thrives as more people use it. That's an example tied to using the Web, but at the heart of it is building upon the mission of parks departments to support the community."

What kind of potential do developing technologies hold for park and recreation professionals and users?

"Wireless technology is certainly one area that's rapidly evolving and constantly changing. Increasingly, people have become accustomed to carrying mobile devices. They often have an expectation that they'll be able to connect, whether they're just playing basketball at the local park or on a backwoods hike.

Even ski slopes today try to provide cell phone coverage so that skiers can make and receive calls. Hikers see their mobile phone as a safety option in case of an emergency. Wireless [technology] also provides a safety net for parents, who feel safer knowing they can reach their kids at any time, or that their children can call them anytime. In some respects, this is an enabler for older kids and teens to get out and do more."

How have park or recreation activities influenced you personally?

"Growing up in Wisconsin, I spent countless days and summer evenings at the local baseball field and tennis courts. My love of sports, and because the local tennis courts made it easy for me to practice, eventually led to varsity sports at the University of North Carolina. Now I enjoy taking my kids to the park for soccer and football. Having parks easily accessible is something we could easily take for granted, but it's truly a blessing of American society."

Fun Fact:

About 80 percent of Seattle residents have a library card.