Spring 2023 REC CONNECT NEWSLETTER
Message from Executive Director
Happy 75th Anniversary NHRPA!! Looking
forward to a great year ahead celebrating
75 years of this terrific association! The Look Inside For….
NHRPA State Conference will be extra
special this year as we honor 75 years of Presidents Message……….….....2
NHRPA. Look for faces from the past to
join us in this year’s celebration. It is al- Wink Tapply Registration.........4
ways great to look back while at the
same time moving the association for- NHRPA Awards………………...8-10
ward. Professional Spotlight.…........14
I would like to thank everyone who attended our first ever Summer Granite State Track & Field….18
Camp Summit hosted by PRIMEX. This program will continue in the
future and next year we will incorporate more planning and program- Fun Pass Book is BACK…………22
ming for summer camps as this year’s theme was focused on safety and
Exeter Senior Resource………..23
liability, an important topic that transfers through all of recreation pro-
gramming. Thank you to the PRIMEX team for hosting NHRPA and for Caring for your Mental
putting on a creative and informative one day summit.
Health………………………………….36
PRIMEX also hosted the NHRPA Awards and I would personally like to
congratulate all of the winners. Special shout out to Greg Bisson for NRPA News………………………....39
receiving the Wink Tapply Award—the most prestigious award given by Happy Reading!!!
NHRPA. Congratulations to all of the other winners—full results are
listed in the newsletter. Thank you to Krystal Alpers and the Awards
Committee for your work on making the awards successful each year.
The outlook for NHRPA is bright with many events and programs com-
ing soon including Wink Tapply Playground Leaders workshop, Granite
State Track & Field state meet, NHRPA State Conference and we will
wrap up training this year with the Financial Sustainability Certificate NHRPA Diversity Statement:
program in November. Finally, this is YOUR association and you get out
of it what you put into it! I can’t say that enough. I know we are all “New Hampshire Recreation and
busy but take the time to attend programs and social events and to net-
work with other professionals and our commercial members. Thank Parks Association is committed to
you commercial members for your continued support of NHRPA. We making diversity, equity, inclusion,
look forward to packing the vendor hall this year as we celebrate 75 and belonging a priority towards
years of NHRPA!
achieving our mission. We strive to
Thank you to everyone who contributed this newsletter. The Fall Rec
Connect Newsletter deadline is September 6, 2023. accomplish these common ideals for
Kerry Horne M.Ed., Executive Director, NHRPA the betterment of our membership
and the communities that they
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NHRPA Executive Board
NHRPA PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
President: Matt Casparius
Greetings NHRPA Members Merrimack Parks & Recreation
After a late winter, spring has finally come to New Hampshire. Like all of you, we President Elect: David Tovey
are busily preparing for Spring Programs & Events and spending a lot of time trying Exeter Parks & Recreation
to hire all of the staff we need to work for us this summer.
Secretary | Tara Tower
I was thrilled to see the tremendous response to our new Summer Camp Summit Lincoln Woodstock Recreation
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which is coming up on April 13 . The event has now sold out for this year but I an-
ticipate that this event will continue to grow in the future and become an annual Treasurer | Arene Berry
occurrence. A special shout out to Primex, who has taken our initial idea and run Milford Recreation
with it. They have come up with a program above and beyond what we were initial- Past President | Craig Fraley
ly envisioning and I believe that you will find the training to be incredibly valuable. Amherst Parks & Recreation
As part of the Summer Camp Summit event, we will also recognizing this year’s
Annual Award Winners. The Awards Committee has done an outstanding job re- NHRPA Board Members
viewing all of the award submissions and there are some truly programs out there. Laura Bryant
We are always looking to showcase great programs, great events and great people Concord Parks & Recreation
and the work that they do for the Community and so we hope that you will continue
to nominate them in the future. Justin Chaffee
Ossipee Parks & Recreation
Speaking of Summer Camp, registration information will be coming out shortly for
this year’s Wink Tapply Playground Leaders Workshop which focuses on providing
training to our front line Camp Staff. Eric Feldbaum
Division of Parks & Recreation
The Granite State Track & Field is a program of NHRPA and sponsored by many
businesses around the state. This year, the regional meets are being consolidated John Kohlmorgen
into one spectacular State Meet which will be held on Saturday June 17 at Win- Jaffrey Recreation
nisquam High School, Tilton, NH. The program is continuing to grow and registra-
tion is open if you have an interest in starting a new program within your communi-
ty. Complete details can be found on the event website at: https://
granitestatetrackandfield.weebly.com/
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2023 marks the 75 Anniversary of the New Hampshire Recreation & Park Associ- “Feeling gratitude and
ation and the Executive Board and the Committee are working on different ways to
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celebrate this important milestone. Save the date of Thursday, October 19 for this not expressing it is like
year’s Annual State Conference. There will be more details to follow as we get wrapping a present and
closer to the Fall.
not giving it.”
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns regarding
the direction of NHRPA or if there is any way that the Association can better serve —William Arthur Ward
you. If I don’t talk to you sooner, I wish you all a wonderful summer!
Respectfully Submitted, Matt Casparius, CPRE
NHRPA President, [email protected]
NHRPA Calendar of Events—to see the full calendar or events CLICK HERE
Thursday, May 18, 2023 @ 1:00pm NHRPA Business Meeting
Saturday, June 3, 2023 Wink Tapply Playground Leader’s Workshop
Friday, June 16, 2023 Granite State Track & Field State Meet
Thursday, October 19, 2023 NHRPA State Conference—Celebrating 75 years!
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Wink Tapply Playground Leaders Workshop
Saturday, June 3, 2023 @
Bessie Rowell Community Center Franklin
rd
The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, June 3 at the Bessie Rowell Com-
munity Center in Franklin, NH from 8:30am-3:30pm. Light snacks will be
available in the morning and a full lunch will be provided at the registration
cost of $30/person. You will have the opportunity to attend breakout ses-
sions with topics such as risk management, games/activities, creative op-
tions, field trip safety, and much more! After lunch, all departments that
choose to will compete in friendly but slightly competitive fun camp staff
challenges in the afternoon. After the challenges we will wrap up the day
with awards, raffles and of course, ice cream sundaes! Registrants also have a
chance to win one of (2) $25 gift cards if you turn in a completed evaluation
form.
We hope you can join us for these fun-filled and informative workshops!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR STAFF
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NHRPA State Conference
Vendor Hall Registration is OPEN!
When: Thursday, October 19, 2023 @ Concord Recreation Community Center
We are looking forward to a great conference celebrating 75 years of NHRPA and we hope you will
join us as a PREMIER Sponsor or as a participant in our VENDOR hall. The full schedule is coming
soon!
Premier sponsor package: $500
The package will include table space, logo in online conference brochure and on all emails and con-
ference promotion, two lunches, list of conference participants and the opportunity to introduce a
session and speak for two minutes about your products and services.
Vendor hall package: $125 members or $275 non-member (includes membership)
Vendors will receive table space, one lunch and your logo in the online conference brochure and a
listing of conference attendees.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AS A VENDOR TODAY!
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For information contact Bob Pettinelli
1-800-775-8153 or email: [email protected]
http://pettinelliandassociates.com/
Thank you Primex for hosting the
Summer Camp Summit
and NHRPA Awards!
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Parks & Recreation Month Toolkit
This is where you can find the materials you need to celebrate Park and Recreation Month.
The official Park and Recreation Month outreach toolkit, logo, poster and additional graphics
are available now. Use these resources to help promote Park and Recreation Month in your
community this July!
The full outreach toolkit is designed to make your Park and Recreation Month promotions a
little easier and includes:
• Fact sheets and key messages
• Template media advisory and press releases
• Sample social media posts
• Editorial story sample
• Media outreach "how to" (and more!)
CLICK HERE FOR TOOLKIT
NRPA Conference
Save the Date: October 10–12, 2023
at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas Texas
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2023 NHRPA Awards
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Thursday, April 13 , 2023 marked another successful Awards Ceremony. The Awards Committee was
honored to grant many well deserving individuals to some of our most prestigious awards. We also hon-
ored some wonderful programs and Fab 4 Photos.
Greg Bisson of Exeter Parks and Recreation received the Wink Tapply
Award. His dedication, willingness to go above and beyond, and
overall love for recreation and his community are only a few attrib-
utes of Greg’s that made him an excellent recipient for this award.
Over the past 24 years, Greg’s dedication of helping fellow colleagues
improve their professional development has not gone unknown.
Greg is constantly thinking of new ways to help those around him
become better, professionally and as individuals, and he does this
humbly and respectfully to all. Greg has helped countless undergrads
find their passion, and their first job, in the parks and recreation in-
dustry. He embodies the spirit of Wink when it comes to leadership and high character values. Greg does
not settle when it comes to doing the job, he attends trainings and does his research to better himself so
that he can provide a higher level of service to his community and colleagues.
During the beginning of Greg's career in Milton, NH he served as the town's first ever Recreation Director
where he doubled the program offerings. He not only maintained the recreation website, but the entire
town's website. In Milton, he would often research, apply for and was granted grant money for his depart-
ment to lessen the burden on taxpayers. In his early years of his career, he developed both short- and long
-term plans for the Milton Recreation Department that included park maintenance, facility management,
fundraising and department growth. It was because of his dedication, professionalism and leadership in
the town of Milton that he was offered the position of Assistant Director in the town of Exeter, NH. Since
his transition to the Town of Exeter, NH in 2003 Greg has led the department with many improvements.
He updated department procedures and policies with the knowledge he gained from certifications such as
Playground Safety Inspector and by serving on the town's safety committee. He recognized the need for
additional staff in the department as he increased programming, thereby advocating and convincing the
town select board of creating the full-time Recreation Coordinator position, as well as, changing a part-
time office secretary position to a full-time office manager position. Greg has served on various com-
mittees for the town of Exeter such as the safety committee and tree committee. He attended Primex's
Supervisor Academy to gain valuable leadership knowledge that he still uses to this day while working for
the town of Exeter. He is ready at a moment's notice to represent the department at selectboard
meetings and has represented the town's parks and recreation department at universities, state and na-
tional conferences.
One of Greg's highest accomplishments for the town of Exeter is the Powderkeg Beer & Chili festival,
which attracts participants from all over the US. Since its inception, the Powderkeg has generated over
$100,000 profit for the parks & recreation department and the 11th annual Powderkeg Beer & chili fest
will surely be another great success for the community. Greg was an influential member of expanding Exe-
ter's multipurpose fields at the recreation complex, which is used by numerous organizations. He helped
renovate the town's outdoor pool facility and assisted in the addition of a splash pad. Since I was an intern
for Exeter Parks & Recreation department back in 2015, Greg has been working tirelessly to move the de-
partment into a larger
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building that can accommodate our growing program offerings. In March of 2022, he accomplished this
goal as Director. He hasn't stopped since then, as he continues to research grant and sponsorship opportu-
nities to renovate our new building. The past several years, Greg has also been successful in securing funds
through warrant articles for our “Park Improvement Fund”, which he has used to make many improve-
ments through all of Exeter’s Parks. A couple major improvements to note include completely renovating
Exeter’s Kids’ Park, complete renovation of Park Street Common playground and the purchase and installa-
tion of a new guard rail system in Gilman park.
Alyssa Porto from Newmarket Recreation received the Don Heyliger
Award. Alyssa Porto is the poster child for going above and beyond. In
her short period of time at the department (4 years professional) she
has quickly become that one person the department cannot operation-
ally run without. It is this reason that she often stays late and comes in
early to make sure all is in order for the department. Alyssa sits at the
center control and manages everything in and all around the office with
composure and maturity beyond her years. She is the always the first to
offer when something needs to get done quickly. Alyssa, is also the
“unsung” hero in the department running around making sure every-
thing gets back to where it’s supposed to be when an event is over. It’s personal with her. She also under-
stands that we do not work 8 hour days and that the job is done when the job is done. She often uses her
own lap top at home to finish projects from home if the need is there. She takes personal pride in answer-
ing all emails as soon as they come in – sometimes even on the weekends so she doesn’t have to worry
about them on Monday. There are days where she works sun up to sun down - coming into work to get set
up for summer camp, submitting payroll, scheduling fall programing, nursing a child's scraped knee, renting
kayaks, taking pictures of the campers, scheduling and setting up for the summer concert series... all with-
out losing the smile on her face. She truly loves being considered a professional in the field and enjoys
attending NHRPA events and trainings, going to Nationals, NNERPC, Community meetings, and especially
getting the opportunity to engage with others in the field.
Edwina and Bob Boose of Ossipee received the High Five Award. Ed-
wina and Bob have played an intricate roll in the Friends of Constitu-
tion Park. Over the last year, this organization has completed several
projects including, but not limited to, park cleanup days, cleaning and
rehab of our entire trail system, replacing all trail signage, installing a 9
-hole disc golf course, lending library, and a beautiful picnic pavilion.
Saying they are making an impact does not do the FCPO justice. They
have provided many additional opportunities for citizens of all ages.
Merrimack Parks and Recreation was honored with the Rowland
“Kim” Perkins Special Event Program Award for their Naticook Chal-
lenge 5K Obstacle Course Race. This program was initially developed
by Program Coordinator James Golisano during the height of the
COVID-19 Pandemic as there was a lot of interest in outdoor activities
but we were looking for something other than what everyone else
was doing and the goal was really to give participants the unique ex-
perience. There were a lot of traditional road races being offered but
James came up with a 5K Obstacle Course race.
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NHRPA Awards Continued
The Naticook Challenge 5K Obstacle course race is a trail-based race that takes place within Wasserman
Park as well as on the Conservation Trails that border the Park and that involves challenges for the other
parts of your body (crawling, climbing, or hanging for examples). The course is a 5k distance and includes 8
or more beginner to intermediate level obstacles. All obstacles are designed to be a challenge but achieva-
ble by most, it is ok to receive help from and also to help other runners on any obstacle. It's somewhat of a
niche market but it's different enough (but still easy enough) for anyone to be able to participate. one that
stands out against the traditional road race and we have had a tremendous response from both beginner &
intermediate level runners to come and try it out and the event has grown every year.
Amherst Parks and Recreation was honored with the Rowland “Kim” Per-
kins Special Event Program Award for their Doors on the Green Event.
Doors On The Green is a twist on a trunk or treat event. This event started
when folks who lived outside of the Amherst Village wanted to take part in
handing our candy on Halloween. The Amherst Village is a magical place on
Halloween and sees close to 2000 trick or treaters annually. The Amherst
Parks and Recreation Department worked with the Amherst Makerspace
to create Doors On The Green. Participants rent a door for $15 and then
decorate the door however they choose. The doors are then lined up along
the Village Green and trick or treaters then "knock" on the door to trick or treat. Many business, political
candidates and others have participated in this event. We typically have close to 40 doors and each door
hands out about 2000 pieces of candy. It is really a magical night and the residents and business of Amherst
go all out on decorating their doors.
Additionally, we had many wonderful Rowland “Kim” Perkins Special Event Program Award submissions
that also received recognition. Gilford Parks and Recreation was recognized for their Bunny Hop Story
Walk, Salem Community Services Department was recognized for their Salem Halloween Event, Colebrook
Recreation was recognized for their Tilly Mocktail Party and Conway Parks and Recreation was recognized
for their Mobile Easter Egg Hunt. All were great events for each community.
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The Aquatics Program Award went to Manchester Parks and Recreation
for their Water Safety Day. Water Safety Day is an annual event held by
the Manchester Parks and Recreation Department, New England Swim-
ming, USA Swimming, and the Executive Swim Club. This one-day event
aims to teach the safety basics of how to be in and around bodies of wa-
ter.
Colebrook Recreation received the Communication Savvy Award for
their Social Media presence. They utilize YouTube, TikTok and Instagram
to creatively connect with the youth and families in Colebrook.
Fab 4Foto Awards:
Jaffrey, Conway and Newmarket each received a Fab 4 FOTO Award.
Thank you to all the Departments that took the time to submit for an award and congratulations to all
award recipients.
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PLAY CONNECTS US
We can't wait to get reconnected at the 2023 NRPA
Annual Conference in Dallas, home to our SkyWays
shade division. We are excited to announce that we're
bringing back our customer party—the first since
2019—and want you to save the date to be there. Not
only will we provide drinks, appetizers and fun, but
we're excited to also have a concert by nationally
known country-blues-rocker, Frankie Ballard! Mark
your calendars to join us:
Monday, Oct. 9, doors open at 7 p.m. CT
Gilley's Dallas, 1135 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas—Stay tuned for more details including RVSP in-
formation coming later this year. For any immediate questions, contact your local Landscape
Structures consultant, for NHRPA that is Joel St. Pierre. [email protected]
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NHRPA in Action:
Members of the NHRPA Executive Board attended the Recreation Management
& Policy 50th Anniversary Mountain Takeover at Gunstock Mountain Resort in
Gilford, NH.
The UNH Recreation Management & Policy community was celebrating 50 years
of impacting the recreation economy in New Hampshire and beyond. For years
RMP alumni have been contributing to the success of recreation in New Hamp-
shire and in communities across the country.
Pictured below is Chumley the NH State Park Mascot, NHRPA President Matt Cas-
parius, NHRPA President Elect David Tovey and Exeter Parks & Recreation Intern
Parker Truesdale.
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Professional Spotlight
Name: Nick Lawrence Town: City of Claremont, NH
Job Title: Director of Parks & Recreation
Number of years you have been with the department? I took on my new
role with the City of Claremont in September of 2022. I’ve been here for 6
months.
If you are new to your department where did you work previously?
I previously worked for the Town of Deerfield, NH as their Director of Parks
& Recreation for five years. I also briefly served the City of Portsmouth as
their Recreation Supervisor prior to joining Claremont. Waumbek Golf Course
Why do you work in Recreation?
Being involved with sports and recreation has been a passion of mine since I was young. The blend of physi-
cal activity with socialization has always been appealing to me. I welcome the challenges that come with the
delivering value to my community and I enjoy meeting new people with all sorts of backgrounds. No two
days of work are the same in the field of parks recreation and I love that about it.
What is one challenge you face as a professional?
The landscape of parks and recreation is always changing and sometimes things don’t go according to how
you plan them. Whether it’s conforming to new trends in the industry or rebounding from a pandemic,
adaptability is a skill that I’ve learned is essential for success in this field.
What is one program or event that you run that you would like to share with the membership?
Choosing one is so difficult! We are very lucky in Claremont to have a well-rounded catalog of programs
that we run throughout the year, thanks to an amazing group of recreation staff. I would like to highlight
one of largest hubs for recreation here in Claremont: The Claremont Savings Bank Community Center. In
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March 2023, we proudly celebrated the 10 year anniversary of it’s opening, and it is one of the gems of
the community. From the 8-lane swimming pool and fitness area to the full-size basketball court and indoor
walking track, there is an opportunity for everyone to get involved at CSBCC!
Favorite place to take groups on a trip?
I am a big Red Sox fan, so I enjoy a group outing at Fenway Park any
chance I get.
Always a great day at Fenway!
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Personal Spotlight—Nick Lawrence
Where did you go to school?
I’m originally from “The North Country” and graduated from White Mountains Regional High School in
2008. I began my college career at NHTI-Concord’s Community College and went on to complete my bache-
lor and master’s programs at Southern New Hampshire University.
What is your degree?
M.S. in Sports Management.
Where were you born?
Berlin, NH.
Where have you lived?
I grew up in Berlin and moved to Lancaster, NH in grade school. I spent some time living in Concord for col-
lege and currently reside in Hooksett, NH. I love it there!
Favorite Recreational Activity?
You can find me playing pickup basketball 2-3 times per week.
What is your favorite food?
Pizza is very cliché, so I’ll give you the runner-up… Lobster rolls!
What is your favorite movie?
Coach Carter
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Pompano Beach, FL.
What is your favorite type of music?
I enjoy a lot of different music. At the top of my list is rock, R&B, and hip-hop.
What is your pet peeve?
Probably holding meetings that could have been covered in an e-mail.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Obtaining my master’s degree and CPRP credential were both important to
me. They demonstrate my commitment to my craft!
Finish this sentence. My dream…
…is to have a long and impactful career enhancing the quality of life for oth-
ers through recreation!
Sunrise at Mount Major
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Save the Date for the Annual
Northern New England Recreation & Parks Conference
By: Tara Tower
rd
2024 will be the 73 annual Northern New England Recrea-
tion & Parks Conference, and we will once again be back at
the Mountain View Grand Resort, in Whitefield, NH. The con-
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ference will be held Tuesday, January 9 through Thursday,
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January 11 , and the conference committee will be meeting
in late May to select the speakers and finalize details for this
year’s conference.
If you have speakers that you think would be a good fit, or if you want to offer to present a
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session, please submit the speaker proposal forms before May 15 . The speaker proposal
form can be found at: https://nnerpc.myrec.com/info/default.aspx
If you have any questions, or suggestions for the 2024 conference, you can email me at:
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Play is an activity that is inherent in all of us. We know how important it is for everything
from development to engagement to community. As our communities evolve, we see
trends and ideas in the industry come to the forefront. As we open 2023, we’d like to
share some things we’re seeing and encourage you to share with us!
The Importance of Outdoor Public Spaces.
One overall trend that we’re seeing, and loving, is the viewing of public parks and green-
spaces as critical infrastructure and as tools to strengthen public health and safety. The
positive effects of parks and recreation areas to communities is evident in numerous studies and the benefits range
from higher graduation rates and property values to lower blood pressure, stress and obesity rates. Parks are a tangi-
ble refection of quality of life for communities and being treated as such elevates the attention and resource allocation
they deserve.
Moving Outdoors.
During the last few years, we’ve seen a spike in outdoor spaces. Taking learning outside opens children up to new ex-
periences and increases focus and cooperation while allowing them to use their senses and imaginations in ways they
can’t indoors. Outdoor fitness opportunities in public spaces increase exercise for community members. This is incredi-
bly important for a variety of reasons, one being the obesity epidemic we are experiencing. Instead of trending down,
the trend is up. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22% of children and teens
have been classified as obese up from 19% before 2020. Having well-designed public spaces for children and adults to
exercise and move can help combat this alarming trend and bring equity to exercise availability.
Awe and Adventure.
Bringing awe and adventure into our daily lives is something we’ve been studying. Daily doses of awe bring us calm
and help us appreciate the world around us. Adventure play engages children and adults and has a high replay value
bringing kids and families back into the outdoors time and time again. Designing for awe and adventure is important to
both our physical and mental health and helps the outdoors compete for time with screens.
Universal Design.
A trend that has been around for a long time but keeps
evolving into better and better products and designs is
inclusive play design and the use of Universal Design
principles. Creating spaces that are useable for everyone
allows all people to get the benefits of play and recrea-
tion in a way that is comfortable for them.
Intergenerational Play.
Play at all ages and stages of life is another trend we see communities embracing. All people of all ages and abilities
need to be outdoors for mental and physical health. Creating gathering spaces that provide entertainment for every-
one get the most support and encourage community pride and engagement – two important benefits of public parks
and greenspaces.
Thank you for your partnership in 2022, we look forward to embracing all 2023 has to offer together.
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Granite State Track and Field
Granite State Track and Field – Changes for 2023
The Granite State Track and Field Committee is pleased to announce that this
very important and successful program is once again being offered to New
Hampshire’s youth ages 9-14. This year there will be a change in the format.
We will be offering just one State Meet rather than the qualifying Eastern and
Western District Meets that we normally hold. The State Meet will be held on
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Saturday June 17 at the Winnisquam High School Track in Tilton. We’ve made
this change due the estimated number of athletes expected to participate this
year. Many communities are still working on re-instating their programs after
our 2020 hiatus. As this great program returns to its higher numbers we antici-
pate returning to the “District Meet–State Final” format in the future.
Everything that makes this incredible kid-centered experience so special will remain. The day will get underway at
9:30 AM with the very impressive Parade of Athletes. State finalists and state champions will be recognized and hon-
ored. The much sought after and cherished State Finalist and State Champion t-shirts will be presented as well as
ribbons for those who earn that honor. GSTF shirts are worn with pride for years. We provide professional timing
services, the meet events are announced, top finishers recognized. Our volunteers go out of their way to make the
day special for the youth participants, patiently assisting, cheering on the athletes, taking the extra time with meas-
uring distances, starting races, and ensuring events run smoothly and fairly. Spectators and other athletes cheer on
all the athletes. Effort is celebrated as well as achievement. This year we are adding a Foto Booth!
With this format, some events necessitate that we’ll be running heats, while others will be finals. Longer distances,
relays and field events will all be finals based on time and distance. Shorter running events will have heats. The Her-
shey Program that became the Granite State Track and Field program originally had just one state final. The district
meets were added due to the large number of participants.
Just a brief review of Granite State Track and Field, a program of the New Hampshire Recreation and Park Associa-
tion. GSTF is a statewide track and field experience for boys and girls ages 9-14. Age breakdowns are: 9-10, 11-12, 13
-14 with boy’s and girl’s divisions (qualifying age is as of December 31, 2023). The focus is on fun, fitness, friendship
and sportsmanship. For the most part the program is offered at the local level through New Hampshire’s municipal
Parks and Recreation Departments, although a few are offered through local running or outing clubs. How the local
programs are organized vary from community to community. Some offer a comprehensive youth track program, with
local meets, while others organize teams primarily for the State Meet.
It takes much work and commitment for this program to continue to be successful. Some of our financial costs in-
clude, but are not limited to t-shirts, ribbons, fees associated with the venue such as chemical toilet rentals, supplies
etc. Although we are a program of the New Hampshire Recreation and Park Association and the Association provides
much valuable support for the program, it is important that this program be fully self-supporting financially. As such
we charge athletes participating in the State Meet a small fee of $8.00/athlete. Participating Recreation Departments
and Organizations will be invoiced for their participants. We are also in need of sponsors. We are looking for busi-
nesses, organizations or others who might want to invest in NH’s youth and this great program. In addition, we de-
pend heavily on volunteers to make the meet run well. Each participating community and organization is expected to
provide volunteers, but additional help is welcome. The more volunteers the better the day runs.
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NHAHPERD - Be Extraordinary in 2023!
Save Now and Register for our Annual Conference! ‘Be Extraordinary in 2023!’
NHAHPERD Annual Conference, Waterville Valley – November 16—17, 2023
2023 EARLY BIRD CONFERENCE PREREGISTRATION AND MEMBERSHIP FORM
Name _________________________________ *Please circle preferred address (Home/Work)
Home: School/Business Name: _____________________________
Address ___________________________ Address ____________________________________
___________________________ ____________________________________
Phone ___________________________ Phone ____________________________________
Email ___________________________ Email ____________________________________
*Please check one interest area in each column
INTEREST AREA RESPONSIBILITY EMPLOYMENT LEVEL
____ Health ____ Teacher ____ Pre to Elementary
____ PE ____ Student ____ Middle
____ Recreation ____ Retiree ____ Secondary
____ Dance ____ Administrator ____ College/University
____ Other________ ____ Other ________ ____ Agency
Membership is required for conference attendance & is included in rates below: $30 Professional; $15 Student
PREREGISTRATION FEES WITH MEMBERSHIP & DIGITAL HANDOUT BOOK INCLUDED: (check one)
____ Professional Two Days - $140 Professional One Day - $110/Th.____ Fri. ____
____ Student Two Days - $60 Student One Day - $50/ Th.____ Fri. ____
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FREE Professional Development Workshop!
Cosponsored by NHAHPERD and OPEN
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: May 20, 2023
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Keene Recreation Center
312 Washington St., Keene, NH 03431
FREE for NHAHPERD members!!
15 confirmed registrations required by May 1, 2023 to have this conference.
(maximum 60)
Register: Contact Dianne L. Rappa, Executive Director, drap-
[email protected] to reserve your spot with your email, phone number and
address. ($30/member – www.nhahperd.org)
OPENPhysEd.org Training (3 hours)
This workshop puts the focus on using OPEN’s free standards-based curriculum resources, which give physi-
cal educators creative ways to engage students and teach lessons that ensure academic rigor in any instruc-
tional environment. This is an activity-based session — come prepared and ready to move! Every OPEN in-
structional module includes research-based teaching tools such as academic language resources, depth of
knowledge tiered question techniques, Marzano academic rigor strategies, universal design strategies, and
social and emotional learning integration. Additionally, this professional learning experience will address as-
sessment and evaluation in learning management systems, and how to plan for changing educational envi-
ronments. This workshop is designed for a grades K-–12 audience.
Michael Miller will be our instructor—Mike is a dual certified Health and PE teacher, has been teaching for
over 10 years at the Elementary, Middle, and High School levels. He currently teaches for the NYC Depart-
ment of Education in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. In 2017, Miller began his journey with OPEN at PE Institute,
contributing to the social media coverage of the event. Later that year, along with Mike Martinez, launched
the OPENForum Podcast and is now Co-lead of the Member Outreach division. Michael was formally named
an OPEN National Trainer in 2018. Michael has a passion for educational technologies, social media, and the
sport of wrestling at all levels.
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The Breathe New Hampshire Fun Pass 2023 Coupon Book is back!!!
NHRPA is once again partnering with Breathe NH to sell Fun Pass Books! Each book costs
$40 and NHRPA will receive $6 for each book sold as a fundraiser! All you have to do is
share the information in your newsletter and website. NHRPA has a link (see below) and
participants order a book and pay using the NH Recreation & Parks link and the book is
shipped directly to the participant! It couldn’t be easier. Sample language for your news-
letters or websites is listed below along with a few pictures.
Buy a 2023 Fun Pass Coupon Book & Save All Year Long!
For only $40, save up to $2,000 at more than 100 New England family attractions. Favorites
like Story Land, Mount Washington Cog Railway, Pats Peak, Ragged Mountain Resort,
Whale’s Tale Water Park, Altitude Trampoline Park, and many more are in the book! There
are 18 new attractions too!
Most coupons admit a child 12 and under free or at a discounted rate with a paying adult.
Story Land offers a BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free) so with just that one coupon, you cover
the cost of the entire book. Offers and deals vary by attraction.
Purchasing a Fun Pass saves you lots of money AND, you are sup-
porting the New Hampshire Recreation and Parks Association
(NHRPA), Breathe New Hampshire, and local attractions too!
To see how much you can save and to place your
order, go to:
NH Recreation & Parks.
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Exeter Parks & Recreation Releases
New Senior Resource Guide
Submitted by: David Tovey
Construction of the guide began in the summer of 2022 in response to
an Age-Friendly Community survey, conducted by Rockingham Planning
Commission, Rockingham Nutrition Meals on Wheels and the Exeter
Senior Council. Information sharing and the lack of a central hub of in-
formation was a common theme in the survey responses. This new re-
source guide is a "one-stop-shop" for seniors and caregivers to explore
the variety of resources in our community.
The guide covers Transportation,
Housing, Human Services, Health &
Wellness, Food & Nutrition, Leisure
& Education activities and Public
Safety. The 33 page document in-
cludes over 30 local senior service
providers and each agency has a
brief description with important in-
formation about their programs and
services.
To learn more about the Exeter Sen-
ior Resource Guide, visit our website
at www.exeternh.gov/recreation."
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The MyRec.com Family
Last year was a stellar one for MyRec.com, adding many new departments to our software
family. But the true stars are the many employees that have been promoted and joined our
team in 2022! We'd like to highlight and congratulate the following team members...
Promoted:
• Dustin Young- Business Development Associate
• Adrian Mitchell- Director of On-Boarding
• Brandon Beno- On-Boarding Specialist
• Renee Prescott- On-Boarding Specialist
• Stacy Creamer- Quality Assurance Specialist
• Heidi Holmes- Client Services Lead
• Marie Heard- Client Resources
• Cassie Young- Social Media Specialist
New additions:
• Danny Harris- Client Service Specialist
• Brandon Mattison- Client Service Specialist
• Colleen Kinkade- Business Development Associate
Here's some fun team photos!
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Looking for something fun to do with your summer camp program???? Contact
Chucksters and learn about all the FUN your group can have!
Call: 603-798-3555 or email: [email protected] or visit www.chucksters.com
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As NHRPA Celebrates 75
years we also celebrate
Gratitude in 2023!
Sometimes we get so
caught up in our day to day
life with work and home we
forget to stop and live in
the moment for today. Re-
member to take time for
you own self care and be
thankful each and every
day!
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Thank you Special Olympics for being an NHRPA VIP!
The mission of Special Olympics New Hampshire is to provide year-round sports
training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children
and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to
develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in
a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics
athletes and the community.
Click on the picture below to learn more!
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Special Olympics New Hampshire Needs Volunteers
In 2023 Special Olympics New Hampshire (SONH) plans their first full slate of sports training
and competitions as well as a full calendar of fundraisers including some exciting new
events to raise funds for the programs and athletes of SONH. In New Hampshire, SONH
serves more than 3000 adults and children with intellectual disabilities.
For years SONH has been fortunate enough to have a large volunteer base to carry out all of
these events. In 2023 the athletes of SONH are ready to compete and the donors are com-
ing back as well. Volunteers are not returning at a pace that matches the SONH schedule. So
far in 2023, SONH has successfully offered all the events on their calendar, but it has been
with a smaller number of volunteers.
As the weather warms up the athletes are getting back to real-world competition and these
events need people to make them happen. Volunteers for coaching, food service, check-in
and more are needed right now for some major competitions.
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On Sunday, May 7 , 2023, the Area Summer Games will be taking place in Concord, Exeter,
Claremont and Berlin. The following weekend the Area Summer Games conclude with
events in Keene. Any individuals or groups interested in creating a first-class sports experi-
ence for SONH athletes can get more information and sign-up here.
nd
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On June 2 and 3 hundreds of SONH athletes will come together at UNH in Durham for
the first full-scale State Summer Games event since 2019. This is the largest competition
that SONH offers, and it requires volunteers by the hundreds. Sports at these games include
Bocce, Powerlifting, Shot Put, Sprint Triathlon, Swimming and Track. There are also volun-
teer opportunities for food service, set-up, break-down and many behind-the-scenes tasks.
Individuals or groups that want to be part of the 2023 State Summer Games can find more
information and can sign-up here.
More information about Special Olympics New Hampshire can be found at www.SONH.org.
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Caring For Your Mental Health
Mental health includes emotional psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, act,
make choices, and relate to others. Mental health is more than the absence of a mental illness—it’s essen-
tial to your overall health and quality of life. Self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and
help support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness.
Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health
and mental health. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your
risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.
Here are some tips to help you get started with self-care:
• Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can help boost your mood and improve your
health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at one
time.
• Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your
energy and focus throughout the day. Also, limit caffeinated beverages such as soft drinks or coffee.
• Make sleep a priority. Stick to a schedule, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Blue light from
devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or
computer before bedtime.
• Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate medita-
tion, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activi-
ties you enjoy such as journaling.
• Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new
tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to be mindful of what you have accom-
plished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.
• Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down at
night, or replay them in your mind.
• Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
• Stay connected. Reach out to your friends or family members who can provide emotional support and
practical help.
Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial
and error to discover what works best for you. In addition, although self-care is not a cure for mental illness-
es, understanding what causes or triggers your mild symptoms and what coping techniques work for you
can help manage your mental health.
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When to Seek Professional Help
Seek professional help if you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted 2 weeks or
more, such as:
• Difficulty sleeping
• Appetite changes that result in unwanted weight changes
• Struggling to get out of bed in the morning because of mood
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of interest in things you usually find enjoyable
• Inability to perform usual daily functions and responsibilities
Don’t wait until your symptoms are overwhelming. Talk about your concerns with your primary care pro-
vider, who can refer you to a mental health professional if needed. If you don’t know where to start, read
the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Tips for Talking With a Health Care Provider About Your
Mental Health. Learn more about how to get help or find a provider on the NIMH’s Help for Mental Illness-
es webpage.
What to Do in a Crisis
If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of
suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat
at 988lifeline.org. This service is confidential, free, and available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In life-threatening situations,
call 911.
For additional information about suicide prevention, please
see NIMH’s Suicide Prevention webpage.
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Happy 75 Years to
NHRPA!
Cousineau Forest Products is a wood brokerage
firm located in Henniker, New Hampshire. At this
facility the Cousineaus operate a concentration and
processing yard for various forest products includ-
ing chips, bark mulch, whole tree wood chips, bio-
mass fuel, playground surfacing, pallets and clean
wood waste.
Contact: Jim Donnelly for more information!
603-748-5176 or [email protected]
NHRPA Career Center
Looking for a new job?
Visit the NHRPA Career
Center and your new job
could be just a click
away!!!
CLICK HERE
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NRPA News……………………..
Parks and recreation is vital to community health and well-being.
We must ensure that all people have access to these spaces, programs and ser-
vices that remain essential to community vitality and serve as a key factor in ad-
vancing health equity, improving individual and community-level health out-
comes, and enhancing quality of life.
Read more...
Why Equity is at the center of all we do.
Our mission depends on it.
Our mission is to advance parks, recreation and environmental conservation
efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people.
Read more...
NRPA Annual Report
Parks and recreation has the power and potential to tackle the impacts of cli-
mate change, reverse childhood obesity, combat loneliness and isolation, and
create stronger and more equitable communities where all experience the
benefits of parks and recreation.
Read more...
Honoring National Water Safety Month in New
Ways
This year, we are going to need to think a little differently about how
we can help people become more "water aware" during National Wa-
ter Safety Month.
Read more...
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I hope you enjoyed the NHRPA Rec Connect Newsletter. If you would like
to submit an article, picture, advertisement or story for the spring/
summer newsletter please submit information by Wednesday, Septem-
ber 6, 2023 to [email protected]
Contact NHRPA:
Mail: NHRPA, 172 Pembroke Road, Concord, NH 03301
Executive Director: Kerry Horne, M.Ed.—[email protected]
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