National Parks and Recreation Month

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Earlier in the summer, the splash pad equipment was delivered to Gezon Park. (Supplied)

If you follow the tweets of Wyoming Director of Community Services Rebeca Rynbrandt, you know excitement is building for Gezon Park.

When construction started on the park, Rynbrandt noted that the opening of the park increases the city’s ability to provide equitable recreation and leisure services to one of its more populate areas. That reality comes true on Aug. 27 when the park will have a grand opening.

The redevelopment of Gezon Park is also one of the 2022 highlighted accomplishments of the Parks and Recreation Department, which Rynbrandt oversees, as the city marks National Parks and Recreation Month. Always in July, the month is designed to bring attention to how important parks and recreation are to a community.

The importance of parks

In fact, according to the National Recreation and Park Association’s 2022 The Economic Impact of Local Parks Report, local public park and recreation agencies in the United states generate nearly $218 million in economic activity and supported almost 1.3 million jobs that boosted labor income by more than $68 billion from their operations and capital spending in 2019.

In the city’s proclamation read by Mayor Jack Poll at the July 5 Wyoming City Council meeting, it was noted that the “park and recreation promotes health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health of people who visit parks increasing personal well-being, and alleviating illnesses such as depression, attention deficit disorders, and Alzheimer’s.”

The proclamation also notes how the park and recreation proves physical activities such as softball, baseball, biking, walking, hiking trails, playgrounds, and fitness trails along with the Wyoming Senior Center and the after school program TEAM 21. It also noted that “parks and recreation increases a community’s economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of local tax base, the attraction and retention of businesses and crime reduction.”

Lamar Park was one of four to receive new playground equipment this year. (Supplied)

What Wyoming offers

The Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department oversees 21 parks that contain almost 700 acres of property and a diverse array of recreational amenities, natural settings, wildlife, and plant life. In its 2021 Annual report, it was noted that about $575 million were directed toward the parks with almost half of the money, about $3 million, toward facilities, capital improvements, and maintenance.

Rynbrandt has noted in the past that parks are in a state of maintenance and repair with her team working to keep those parks in top-top shape for residents. In fact this year, four of the city parks, Pinery, Hillcroft, Frog Hollow and Lamar park, all received new playground equipment.

There is also the challenge of meeting the evolving interests of residents which is reflected in the decision by the Parks and Recreation Commission to allow dogs at all parks. In 1998, the city had made Pinery Park a dog-free park. In the spring, the commission, with the support of residents, decided to end that policy.

Expanding special events

Residents also have wanted more special events that engage the community with the Parks Department has heard that call adding a number of special events.

Wrapping up next week will be the Concerts at the Park at Lamar Park. Performing on Aug. 2 is Latin soul group Grupo Latin.

But the park events have expanded beyond the popular concert series, which have included a summer market and Chalk the Park at Pinery Park earlier this month, the upcoming Aug. 20 Food Truck Rally (from 11 a.m to 5 p.m.) and the Oct. 8 Trick of Treat Trail at Lamar Park.

“Each day, our team worked hard, smart, and more innovatively to deliver programs and services to the residents of the Wyoming community,” said Rynbrandt in the 2021 Park and Recreation Commission Annual Report. “From reopening parks to honoring veterans in annual celebrations, helping seniors with meals and everyday necessities, and keeping Wyoming youth active and engaged through virtual programs an academic achievement, our parks and recreation team strives to bring the community together.”