DEPARTMENT: Parks, Facilities, and Fleet Management
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Proclamation Of July As Park And Recreation Month And Proclamation Of July 19, 2024 As Park And Recreation Professionals Day
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Proclaim the month of July as Park and Recreation Month and proclaim July 19, 2024, as Park and Recreation Professionals Day.
SUMMARY
Since 1985, the United States has celebrated Park and Recreation Month in July to promote building strong, vibrant, and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation and to recognize the more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals - along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers - who maintain the country’s local, state, and community parks.
Through efforts by the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA), the U.S. House of Representatives passed an official resolution for Park and Recreation Month in 2009 and introduced the resolution in 2017 and 2018.
Park and recreation agencies nationwide are recognizing the month with summer programs, events, contests, commemorations, and celebrations.
The services that park and recreation professionals provide are vital to our communities by protecting open spaces and natural resources, helping fight obesity, improving mental health, and providing activities and resources for all people. Park and Recreation Month encourages everyone to reflect on the significant value park and recreation professionals bring to communities.
This year’s Park and Recreation Month theme, “Where You Belong”, celebrates the many ways park and recreation professionals across the country foster a sense of belonging in their community by providing welcoming and inclusive programs, essential services for all ages and abilities, and safe, accessible spaces to build meaningful connection. During Park and Recreation Month, NRPA encourages park and recreation agencies to showcase the ways in which they contribute to strong, vibrant, and resilient communities all year and how community members can support their local agency’s work.
This July, with Board approval, Dakota County calls on the community to unite and share the many reasons why Dakota County Parks truly embodies the essence of belonging.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
To showcase the ways in which Dakota County Parks contribute to strong, vibrant, and resilient communities all year and recognize the skilled work of park and recreation professionals to strengthen community cohesion and resilience, connect people with nature and each other, and provide and promote opportunities for healthful living, social equity, and environmental sustainability, staff recommends the Dakota County Board of Commissioners proclaim July as Park and Recreation Month and proclaim July 19, 2024 as Park and Recreation Professionals Day.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners recognizes that the parks and recreation field is a diverse and comprehensive system that improves personal, social, environmental, and economic health; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners recognizes the importance and benefits of park and recreation services that enrich the lives of its citizens and help make the community a desirable place to live, work, and visit; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation promote health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health of people who live near parks; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation promote time spent in nature, which positively impacts mental health by increasing cognitive performance and well-being and alleviating illnesses such as depression, attention deficit disorders, and Alzheimer’s; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation encourage physical activities by providing space for popular outdoor activities, hiking trails, and many other activities designed to promote active lifestyles; and
WHEREAS, park and recreation programming and education activities, such as outdoor education programming and environmental education, are critical to childhood development; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation increase a community’s economic prosperity through increased property values, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses, and crime reduction; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation is fundamental to the environmental well-being of the community; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation are essential and adaptable infrastructures that make communities resilient in the face of natural disasters and climate change; and
WHEREAS, parks and natural recreation areas ensure the ecological beauty of the community and provide a place for children and adults to connect with nature and recreate outdoors; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. House of Representatives has designated July as Parks and Recreation Month; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County recognizes the benefits derived from parks and recreation resources; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners supports the skilled work of park and recreation professionals to strengthen community cohesion and resilience, connect people with nature and each other, and provide and promote opportunities for healthful living, social equity, and environmental sustainability; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners values the essential services that park and recreation professionals and volunteers perform to provide recreational and developmental enrichment for the community’s children, youth, adults and older adults; and to ensure our parks and recreational spaces are clean, safe, inclusive, welcoming and ready to use.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners recognizes July as Park and Recreation Month in Dakota County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim July 19, 2024, as “Park and Recreation Professionals Day” in Dakota County.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Where You Belong Toolkit
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☒ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Taud Hoopingarner
Author: Niki Geisler