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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRetreat Summary - March 15, 1997JEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD RETREAT SUMMARY, MARCH 15, 1997 In Attendance: Advisory Board Members: Kate Spear, Judy French -Scott, Charlotte Laughlin, Rick Tollefson, Dick Broders, Frank Trafton and Lee Morgan. Staff:- Warren Steurer, Parks& Rec Mgr. & Dan Harpole, Dist. I Commissioner The Parks Adv. Board met at Northwest Kiwanis Camp/ Beausite Lake for their annual retreat. The meeting was from I (lam to 2pm. The main objective for the retreat was to articulate our "Vision" for Jefferson County Parks and Recreation. Obviously, four hours is not much time for such an ominous -task, our vision is not complete, but a good beginning was made. With a little refining, editing and spell check from the Parks Staff, here, are our notes: L Warren introduced the visioning process; he. asked the question: 91W are the components, attributes and values that we feel are important for our lsion for %fiferson Count, ,parks and Rec? Our responses: • Parks and Recreation addresses an important social and leisure service for its citizens. We are interested in the emotional, physical and spiritual well being that leisure services can provide to users. • We are responders -to change. As needs to society,community and family change, we keep pace and adjust. • We are pro -active, We want to be a positive intervention for Youth. • We create plans and developments for the future of our County. • We are direct providers for facilities, programs and activities. • We are Facilitators, Partners and Networkers in providing Park and Rec services, • We are protectors -of the Environment. • We are the protectors that represent public access to water, natural areas, areas of historical significance etc.. • People in all areas of Jefferson County should have local access to- parks, facilities_ and programs. ■ Parks & Recreation facilities -and activities should -be for all ages, special -needs and abilities. H� Our second exercise was to draw a picture of our Vision, (many PAR members have missed their calling as artists), We discussed (interpreted) our visual aids,.. M. Our final exercise was to write down 15 (one to three word) statements, characteristics, or values describing our parks and recreation vision. These statements were formed into "clusters" and given names. The results begin to be a road map for our vision quest: • Cluster 1: People and Parks. Our services bring families and communities together in a positive experience. We must be inclusive to all ages, types, interests. Our defining words were: Cooperation with other groups Families and friends together, Connecting Ability to meet people Children laughing, People smiling All ages Family oriented Creating community Play + Cluster 2: Health and Wholeness. We create opportunities for relaxation and exercise that address the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people. Our defining words were: Public Health exercise Relaxation Enjoyment/fun Fitness Opportunity for exercise Mental/physical well-being Personal health • Cluster 3: The Big Picture. The big picture means the connecting of resources within our community, networking with other agencies, and being open, reflective and responsive to changes in society and community. Our defining words were: Interconnection/ interaction Connecting the whole New horizons Cooperation i► Cluster 4. Activity, Facility & Aogram Resources. This is what we do! defining words were: Interconnecting trails Competition with others Education Hiking and camping Arts and crafts Kids playing games Programs Variety Adults playing games A swimming pool + Cluster S: Responsibility/ Ownership/Partnership. We are the custodians of park and recreation resources of our County. Our defining words were: Safe places Law enforcement Educate for responsible use Maintenance Ownership Involvement Responsibility Protected/ staffed • duster- 6: Community Access. Park&need to be near people, We want our facilities and programs to be accessible and friendly to people; interconnected and safe. Our defining words were: Access to varied interests User friendly Easily. accessible Close to home Cluster 7r Natural Resources, Qur parks -should educate people about the preservation and nurturing of our environment. We should create park areas that are not intended for people or activity, but rather for quiet observation and appreciation. We need to leave and protect legacies; honoring and preserving the historical features of our County both natural and man made. Our defining wards -were: Open Spaces Leaving legacy Open Space Away from cars, Find sanctuary The great outdoors Preservation of nature Solitude and Tranquillity Historical places Preserving our assets Wildlife Enjoy outdpors Encourage wild- spaces Education/learning/appreciation Retreat concluded at 2pm Thanks -to all who helped make it a great dayl