The way to San Jose.

NRPA found its way to San Jose... and in great force. The City of San Jose and its Department of Neighborhood Services hosted over 3,700 delegates to NRPA's 28th annual Congress for Recreation and Parks. Sunshine and palm trees were the perfect backdrop for a bright three days of recreating and learning.

NRPA members showed that they can practice what they preach when 350 delegates joined forces for the Second Annual Healthy Strides Walk on Saturday. The walk covered 3.5 miles and wove through the streets of one of California's most diverse cities. San Jose truly taught us how to "Celebrate Community and Embrace Change."

In the heart of the Silicon Valley, San Jose is the appropriate place for information exchange and processing. Usually trading ground for new and innovative computer technology, San Jose acted as the recreation, parks and leisure trading ground October 21-23, when NRPA delegates came from across the country to meet their counterparts, attend educational sessions, and see the latest products and services the industry has to offer.

Education Sessions

The many fiscally related challenges facing NRPA delegates were emphasized by our presence in California, a state that has suffered major budgetary turmoil. The economic situation for California's park and recreation agencies is a microcosm of the budgetary problems facing recreation professionals and citizen advocates alike. There is much to be learned from the methods used by our colleagues in California during this time of adversity.

Averaging six hours a day, specially designed educational sessions focused on administration, budget and revenue, computers, natural resources, programming, research, and social issues addressed the myriad of issues on the minds of many within parks and recreation.

On the monetary front, "The Nuts and Bolts of Budgeting for Beginners" gave a review of the basics of budgeting, including a look at the common formats, timing, presentations, justification, and use of available resources. In "Successful Park Bonds Acts" experts in the fields of polling, cost benefit apportionment, campaign consulting, direct mail, and campaign directing discussed their experience in creating successful park bond measures.

A variety of sessions shared proven methods and new ideas for approaching the many complicated social and human resource quagmires surfacing in parks and recreation. One reoccurring issue, AIDS, was addressed in "Challenge 93: HIV/AIDS Education for Recreation Programs," coveting the history and impact of HIV/AIDS in the 1990's. Topics included: risk-behavior knowledge, legal issues, statistics, and other information for specialized HIV/ AIDS programming. "United As One: Redirecting and Empowering Inner City Youth" focused on the creative utilization of community resources such as local government officials, professional athletes, actors, entertainers, social organizations and community leaders from the surrounding areas to enrich the lives of youth at-risk and implement alternative ways of becoming successful young adults.

Today's park and recreation professionals and advocates must constantly strike a balance between conserving natural lands and providing a place for recreation to happen. The standard environmental and natural resource debates, along with some new solutions, made up many of this year's sessions. A panel discussed new and innovative ways to acquire and finance park and recreation lands in "Successful Parks Partnerships." In "Economic Significance of Trails" delegates learned how a well planned and constructed trail system can be a tremendous catalyst for four-season, multi-use activities generating significant economic impacts.

A major component of all park and recreation agency programming is the fitness and wellness of its users. New methods of programming and integrating well-being strategies into programming were discussed in "De-Stressing Your Stress... Implications for Personal and Organizational Wellness." Recreation programmers are scrambling to meet the fitness needs of the fastest growing population group, older Americans. Current issues, theories, practices and resources in fitness programming for older adults was discussed in "Fitness Programming for Older Adults with and without Disabilities."

General Sessions

NRPA delegates were welcomed by the Alum Rock Jazz Band as they entered the stucco styled Civic Auditorium for the first All Congress General Session. Two special resolutions were presented. One was presented to the European Recreation Society for their work in military recreation around the world and the other was to the National Recreation Foundation for their unwavering support over the years.

The highlight of the Session, and perhaps the entire Congress, came when long-time recreation entrepreneur and advocate, Mr. Claude Ahrens, generously pledged to donate $1 million to NRPA for use in a matching funds grant. The funds will be used in the development and construction of an institute dedicated to the history, study, and advancement of parks and recreation. See page 36 for more information on Mr. Ahrens and his joint plans with NRPA.

After Mr. Ahrens' announcement, the evening's featured speaker, Ted Gaebler took the stage asking delegates, "Can you feel the energy in this room?" Author of Reinventing Government: How the Entrepreneurial Spirit is Transforming the Public Sector, Gaebler gave high marks to parks and recreation for its ability to adjust to sweeping budget cuts and their resulting economic pressures.

Gaebler told delegates, "You (parks and recreation) got kicked off the dole long before the other departments in government. You've learned to fend for yourselves. You've learned to use the community energies. You've learned to use volunteers. You've learned to cobble together resources in a variety of ways."

Calling local park and recreation professionals and advocates "agents of change," Gaebler spoke of the critical rules in making change constructive and effective. In order to make change, "You have got to find a massive infusion of energy." The infusion of energy is in this room." He reassured delegates that the stage was set for change, but warned that change must occur in harmony with existing value systems.

Gaebler contended that a civilized society cannot function effectively without effective government. What ails our government is not the people working in it, but the systems. He believes that today's situation is a matter of good people in government trapped in bad systems.

As people working within the governmental structure, Gaebler encouraged delegates to continue to work to make the changes necessary to survive. The American public is ready to restructure a cumbersome government. Economics are forcing the change to happen even more rapidly for some areas of government. Parks and recreation has certainly felt this on many levels and has begun to adapt, but must continue to do so.

As he concluded, Gaebler reminded delegates of their mission by saying, "It is finally time for us to roll up our sleeves, step up and recognize that we can make a difference."

The 1993 Congress for Recreation and Parks came to a close at the second All Congress General Session. The session was marked by keynote speaker Dr. Lewis Dodley, a counselor and expert on cultural diversity. Dodley works with "higher-risk" youth using a variety of integrated, recreation-centered programming.

Opening with an exercise called "body pat," Dodley warmed up the crowd and reminded them of their shared recreation background. He spoke of perceptions and attitudes towards ethnic and cultural differences. Referring to America, Dodley said, "We talk about being a melting pot. Well, the intention was that we're all equal, but we're not, and we know that." He continued by saying that, "It's important that we celebrate our differences."

"When kids feel good about themselves, they don't have time to hate anybody else," said Dodley, stressing the importance of today's youth. He went on to tell of his work with children and how it is important for role models to act as an ally to them. "To be an ally, we have to tell kids the truth about everything," said Dodley. Role models are often confronted with introspective questions regarding the cultural and ethnic differences between children involved in the same activities. An honest and thorough response is the only responsible way to change attitudes.

Changing attitudes is crucial, yet difficult. In a connect-the-dots exercise, Dodley demonstrated that we are so conditioned to think "within the lines" that we often miss the big picture. Dodley said, "We will have to do something drastically different to change the attitude of these kids, change the attitude of ourselves, and change the attitude of the people who are in power. So you have to go outside the lines."

Then the delegates gladly participated in a series of exercises designed to raise consciousness of the many myths surrounding ethnic groups." Dispelling celebrating our differences is important to Dodley because, "we have a lot of Archie Bunker's out there, and a lot of George Jefferson's. It works both ways."

In one final exercise called "harambee," meaning "let's walk together in unity" in Swahili, Dodley urged delegates to hold hands, take a step forward and raise their hands in communal celebration. By doing this, said Dodley, the participants helped to change America, the melting pot, into America, the salad, or America, the tapestry. With that, people were able to truly celebrate community and embrace change.

Social Events

This year's socials were fun for everyone, California style. Saturday's APRS event included fun and games for all delegates. Held at a local sports bar, San Jose Live, the event was a buzz with activity.

There were blinking lights, buzzers and bells to excite arcade enthusiasts. A variety of music accompanied dancers as they "duked it out" in the boxing ring turned dance floor. And just when you thought it was safe to go back to an NRPA social, a couple of "pool sharks" appeared! No matter what the activity, delegates showed their special knack for competition and sportsmanship.

Sunday night was spent under the stars. The All Congress Social, held at San Jose's Historical Museum at Kelley Park, was a second night of music, dancing and California cuisine. Authentic costumed characters greeted delegates as they wove their way through the streets of a California goldrush town. Banjo, washboard and accordion players roamed the streets along with pioneer women and their mountain men.

A trail of tents offered cuisine ranging from salads to meats, cheeses and fruits in a variety of dishes. In true "California style," one tent served a variety of salads and breads that could not be beat. Delegates mingled and oldies music kept everyone dancing under the replica of San Jose's light tower.

Exhibit Hall

Each year, the Exhibit Hall is the showcase of the Congress for Recreation and Parks. The latest in recreation products and services were available for delegates to see, test poke, prod and play with.

Over 400 companies and organizations were there to demonstrate everything from playgrounds and park benches to sporting goods and computer programs.

1993 CONGRESS EXHIBITORS

3-D Banner Systems

A

Adams USA, Inc./Bolco Bases AEK Computers (AE Klawitter & Assoc.) Air Structures, Inc. Airspace USA, Inc. All American Scoreboards Amateur Athletic Union of USA, Inc. Amateur Softball Association American Amusement Machine Association American Coaching Effectiveness Program American Delphi, Inc. American Locker Security Systems, Inc. American Playtime Systems, Inc. American Red Cross American Sunbathing Association, Inc. Anchor Audio, Inc. Anchor Industries Inc. Appleseed Recreation Applied Graphics Aqua Products Aquatic Development Group Aquatics International Aramis Computing Services Limited Arizona State University/Department of Armbruster Mfg. Co. Association of Disabled American Golfers Atec Athletic Business Magazine Avery River Group, Inc. Ayso-American Youth Soccer Organization

B

Babe Ruth League, Inc. Basketball Products International BCI Burke Company, Inc. Beacon Sports Products Bemiss-Jason Corporation Bench Craft Company Billiard Congress of America Bio-Sun Systems, Inc. Bison Recreational Products BK Technology International, Inc. Bleachers International, Inc. Blunks Supply, Inc. Body Masters Bollinger Insurance Brandano Displays, Inc. Breakfall, Inc. Brunswick Bowling & Billiards Corp. BSN Sports Bureau of Land Management

C

C.W. Davis/Ice Pro Califone International, Inc. California Land Management California Products Corporation Cambridge Sportsturf Drainage, Inc. Canadians Capitol Enterprises Carlisle Tire and Rubber Company Carpenter Decorating Co., Inc. Carsonite International Cedar Forest Products Company Century Industries, Inc. Child Works, Inc. Clearwater Pool Technologies, Inc. Clemson University Clivus Multrum, Inc. Club Car, Inc. Colorado Time Systems Columbia Cascade Company Comtec Industries Concept Communications Co. Continental Bridge Cost Of Wisconsin, Inc. Cramer Products, Inc. Creative Playgrounds LTD Crown Aquatics Inc. Quality Industries, Inc. American Leisure Designs/National Qualite Sports Lighting Cybex Cylex, Inc.

D

Daktronics, Inc. Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Detroit Testing Laboratory, Inc. Dinoflex Manufacturing Ltd. Dinsmore Sales Discount School Supply Dixie Flag Douglas Sports Nets & Equipment Dudley Sports Duragrid Sales Duratech Industries, Inc.

E

E-Z Up International, Inc. E-Z-Go Textron Earth Care Products of America, Inc. East Texas Geriatric Services, Inc. Easton Sports, Inc. Eberhard Sports Enterprises Eco Sports America Edible Technologies Elastocrete by E.R. Carpenter Co. Electro-Mech Scoreboard Co. Environmental Coating Systems, Inc. EOS Software Publ. Co., Inc. Escom Distribution Estes Industries

F

Fairway Systems Family Nurturing Center FHP Foundation Video Project/ Fibre Tech Flaghouse, Inc. Frontier Pro Shop Funscapes Playground Equipment Fusion Coatings Future Pro, Inc.

G

Gametime, Inc. Gared Sports Geoflow Subsurface Irrigation Globe Information Systems Goal Sporting Goods Golf Course Superintendents Association Gopher Sport Government Product News Graber Products, Inc.

H

Hammer Strength Corporation Hawaii Youth Sports Haws Drinking Faucet Co. Hershey Foods Corporation Hillerich & Bradsby Co., Inc. Hollywood Bases, Inc. Hopkins Technical Products, Inc. Hubbell Liqhting Division Huntco Supply, Inc.

I

Ice Chalets, Inc. Ice Skating Institute of America In-Line Sport Systems, Inc. Indiana University Interkal, Inc. International Terra Cotta Iron Mountain Forge

J

J & A Handy-Crafts, Inc. Jayfro Corporation JBJ Industries, Inc. Jim Walls Co., Inc. Jomoco Products Jugs, Inc.

K

Kalamazoo Banner Works, Inc. Kay Park-Recreation Corporation KD Kanopy, Inc. Kent Manufacturing Kifco Irrigation Koch Materials Company Kompan Inc./Big Toys Kruger & Eckels, Inc. Kwik Goal, Ltd.

L

Landscape Structures, Inc. Lantis Fireworks and Lasers Lavtec Lenox Locker Co. Let's Do It! Productions Life Fitness, Inc. Lincoln Equipment, Inc. Lincoln Equipment, Inc. Litchfield Industries, Inc.

M

Macball Industries Madvac Magic Ice Products Magicater by Magikitch'n MAR-Ga Simple Concepts International Marketing Management International Marty Gilman, Inc. Maryland-National Capital Park & Mason Corporation Master Pitching Machine Mateflex-Mele Corp. Maxwell Marketing McArthur Towels, Inc. Med X Corporation Mflex Corporation Michigan Recreation Educators

Consortium Midwest Symposium on Therapeutic Milestone Products Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Miracle Recreation Equipment, Co. Mitchell Rubber Products, Inc. Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. Mity-Lite Tables MMI Federal Marketing Mobile Chemical Company Monogram Sanitation Most Dependable Fountains MTC, Inc. MultiMedia/Telsign Municipal Toy Company, Inc. Murdock, Inc. Musco Sports Lighting

N

Nassau USA Natare Corporation National Conventioneer National In-Line Hockey Association National Rifle Association/NRA Clays National Rubber Co., Inc. National Safety Council National Youth Sports Coaches Assoc. Nautilus Acquisition Corporation New Braunfels General Store NIRSA No Fault Industries, Inc. Nordic Track North Carolina State University North West Rubber Mats Ltd. NRPA Theme Area

O

Oglebay Department of Continuing Oly-Ola Sales, Inc. Olympic Recreation, Inc. Omega Pacific Electrical Supply, Inc. Outdoor Aluminum, Inc. Outdoor Creations, Inc. OWI, Inc.

P

Pacific Yurts, inc. Paddle Wheeler Paddock Pool Equipment Co., Inc. Palmer/Snyder Furniture Company Par Business Systems Parity, Inc. Park Land Associates, Inc. Park Law Enforcement Association PCA Industries Peli Guard Products Penn Racquet/Ultra Slim Fast/

TEAMTENNIS Penn State Performance Sports Systems Permaloc Aluminum Edging Petersen Concrete Leisure Products Petpro Products, Inc. Pickle-Ball, Inc. Pilot Rock Playfield International, Inc. Playflex, Inc. PlaySafe Surfaces, Inc. Playsystems/Steel Systems Playturf/Envirotech LTD Playworld Systems Poligon Polymer Plastics Corp. Poolmart Port & Talk Electronics, Inc. Portapath USA Porter Athletic Equipment Company Premier Polysteel Playgrounds Programmed For Success, Inc. ProPaint & Decorating PW Athletic Company

Q

Quick Crete Products Corporation

R

Rainbow Sports RCP Shelters, Inc. Recreation Creation, Inc. Recreation Resources Recreation Technologists Recreation, Park and Tourism Admin. Recreonics Inc. Reliable Racing Supply, Inc. RenoSys PVC Pools Restroom Facilities LTD Riso, Inc Robertson Industries, Inc. Rogers Sports Corp. Rollins Hudig Hall of New Jersey, Inc.

S

S&S Arts & Crafts Sagamore Publishing, Inc. Santana Products, Inc. Saurus/Southwest Enterprises SCS Company Secur-Ticket Sherman Pole Division ShoreMaster, Inc. SICO Incorporated Sierra Digital Silva Orienteering Services, USA Slush Puppie Corp. Solatrol Sonar International Sound Pacific Southern Aluminum Sparton Enterprises, Inc. Specialty Recreation Equipment, Inc. Spectrum Pool Products Sport Court, Inc. Sport Court, Inc. Sportime Sports Imports, Inc. Sports Log Sportsart Springfield College Stabilizer, Inc. Stageline StairMaster Sports/Medical Products, Inc. Star Sports, Inc. Steadfast Bridge Co. Steelcore Plastics Student Conservation Association Sturdisteel Company Summit Supply Corp. of Colorado Super Secur Mfg. Company Supordeck Marketing Superior Plastics Supreme Products, Inc. Surf Chair, Inc. Surfco International, Inc. Sutcliffe Leisure, Ltd.

T

T & M Technologies, Inc. Taylor & Associates, Inc. TBW Industries, Inc. Tectrix Fitness Tennek, Inc. The Fibar Group The Plastic Lumber Company The President's Challenge The Sugar Association The Toro Company The Tribute Companies, Inc. TopTec Trak-Air Triarco Arts and Crafts Inc. TruGreen-ChemLawn Tuflex Rubber Products Turtle Plastics

U

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Flag & Touch Football League U.S. Games Ultra Play Systems, Inc. Unit Structures Specialty Unitec Mfg. United Industries Inc. United States Figure Skating Association United States Golf Association United States Slo-Pitch Softball Assoc. United States Tennis Association Universal Gym Equipment, Inc. University of Georgia University of Illinois University of Minnesota University of Northern Colorado University of Wisconsin-La Crosse USA Baseball

V

Venture Publishing, Inc. Vermont Systems, Inc. Victor Stanley, Inc. Visual Education Productions VJ Electronics, Inc. VSC Sports Consultants

W

Wabash Valley Mfg. Washington State University Water Safety Products, Inc. Water Technology, Inc. Wayne Engineering Corporation Wenger Corporation Western Starlight, Inc. WHAM-O Whitewater West Industries Ltd. Willco Enterprises Williams/Pollock/Associates, Ltd. WLRA (WICE and WPS Counsultancy) World Waterpark Association

Y

Yeadon Fabric Domes, Inc. York College of Pennsylvania

Z

Zambelli Fireworks Internationale Zamboni Zeager Bros. Inc.

Mr. Claude Ahrens Gives Back to Recreation

All Congress Session speaker Ted Gaebler rightfully described the "energy in this room" as he took the podium following a very special announcement made by Mr. Claude Ahrens. In a heartwarming speech Mr. Ahrens, an entrepreneur and long-time recreation advocate, announced that he wished to contribute a $1 million matching funds grant to the National Recreation and Park Association. The funds will be used for the development and construction of a recreation and park institute.

The institute, a state of the art facility, would fulfill several missions. Preserving the proud history of recreation and parks, the institute will act as a showcase for the National Recreation and Park Hall of Fame. Dedicated to the advancement of recreation and parks, the institute will house the Joseph Lee Memorial Library and serve as a research center for scholars, professionals, advocates, and corporations in the field of recreation and parks. Shaping the vision of parks and recreation, the institute will also be home to the National Recreation and Park Association Headquarters.

An accomplished and generous man, Mr. Ahrens has been involved in recreation for over 50 years. Mr. Ahrens, a native of Grinnell, Iowa, founded Miracle Recreation Equipment Co. in 1946 when he saw a need for recreation equipment and playgrounds for communities across the country. After a successful career in business, he retired and now is providing recreation to communities in a whole new way.

When Mr. Ahrens addressed NRPA delegates at the first All Congress Session, he spoke of his childhood and the values instilled upon him by his parents. From his mother, he said, he was taught the Bible and the value of Christianity. From his father he was taught that, "We didn't come on this Earth accidentally. That we were part of a planned process. That our obligation to life was to leave this world a better place than what we found it."

In relation to today's many complicated social issues, Mr. Ahrens said, "If we're going to leave this great country greater than we found it, we're going to have to work like we've never worked before." Proclaiming his commitment to recreation and parks, Mr. Ahrens spoke of the two biggest problems he sees in our country today, crime on the streets and drugs, and how recreation can be used in solving these problems.

"If we wipe out crime on the streets and drugs, we've got it made," Mr. Ahrens said. "And I know with what I see here today and what I'm hearing, I know it will be done."

His faith in NRPA and its Congress delegates was demonstrated when Mr. Ahrens issued a challenge to all. "I want you recreation people to go out there, organize groups, pull children off the streets, tell them that this is a great world and to do what they can to make it better."

Mr. Ahrens, a self-described "lucky old man," has chosen to give back to this world. A successful businessman dedicated to the principles of recreation and parks, Mr. Ahrens is giving back some of his "luck" and many generous donations to recreation and park causes in his own community as well as on a national level.

Stating that, "Recreation has been good to me and I'd like to give it back to recreation." Mr. Ahrens described the 45-acre community park to be built in his home town with his donation of $3.5 million. The park will be a multiuse facility, housing: eight lighted ball diamonds, basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer field, sand volleyball court, jogging trail, and swimming pool. Realizing that the center should fit a variety of community needs, Mr. Ahrens has included plans for a senior center and a pre-school for 260 children.

The National Recreation and Park Association Board of Trustees, members and staff would like to thank Mr. Ahrens for his commitment and generosity.

We have accepted his challenge and will do our best to "leave this world a better place than what we found it."