Delaware Recreation & Parks Society – an affiliate of the National Recreation and Park Association.

The 40th Annual DRPS conference was held on March 10, 2020 at the Embassy Suites in Newark, DE.

Schedule

7:30 AM – Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM – Announcements and Presentation of Colors by Delaware State Parks Honor Guard

8:45 AM – Keynote Address by Theresa Andrews

9:45 AM – Break and Vendor Visit

10:15 AM – Breakout Session 1

Maintenance: Glyphosate Facts-Brian G. O’Neill
Management: Expecting the Unexpected and Managing Your Message-C.R. McLeod
Programming: A League of their Own: Highlighting Outstanding Youth Sports Programs-Kate Nematollahi

11:30 AM – Breakout Session 2

Maintenance: Weed Identification, Control Methods, Integrated Pest Management-Brian G. O’Neill
Management: NVF-Yorklyn Wetland Project-John Cargill IV
Programming: Social Media Strategies for Parks and Recreation-Abby Shepard

12:30 PM – Awards Lunch Buffet

1:30 PM – Silent Auction Closing

1:30 PM – 2019 DRPS Awards Ceremony in Lord De La Warr Room

2:30 PM – Mini Sessions

Harold Holeman-Pickleball Demonstration
Disc Golf Demonstration
Eco Brick Demonstration
Vendor Visits

3:00 PM – Silent Auction Results

Session Descriptions

10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Glyphosate Facts-Brian G. O’Neill

Session covers true facts on the safety and health issues with use of Glyphosate Herbicide, including the importance of following the label and using proper Personal Protective Equipment when applying Glyphosate and other pesticides. In addition, the session covers where glyphosate can be used in parks and recent EPA updates regarding Glyphosate use.

Expecting the Unexpected, and Managing Your Message-C.R. McCloud

Hear about the creative ways DelDOT shares their message, and how they find opportunities for earned media. In a rapidly changing market, we are always looking for new ways to communicate to the public, despite fewer traditional media outlets. Learn to manage challenges and misinformation, as well as strategies to turn negatives into positives. Discussion will cover ways to be proactive rather than reactive in communications.

A League of their Own: Highlighting Outstanding Youth Sports Programs-Kate Nematollahi

Parks and recreation professionals know the value of recreational youth sports programs. But families can be drawn toward competitive travel programs and many recreation departments are seeing their program participation drop. That does not have to be the story in your community. This session will highlight real life examples of strong, successful recreational youth sports programs committed to the safety and wellbeing of the children in their community. The youth sports organizations featured have all earned the Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider designation and have been recognized as Excellence in Youth Sports award winners. Participants will learn what these youth sports leaders did to make their programs stand out and will be able to take best practices back to their own communities.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Weed Identification, Control Methods, Integrated Pest Management-Brian G. O’Neill

Session covers the top 10 invasive weeds and control methods specific to Mid-Atlantic states.

NVF-Yorklyn Wetland Project-John Cargill IV

The National Vulcanized Fibre (NVF) plant in Yorklyn, Delaware has gone from an industrial site to a reinvented hub of recreational activity. Hear how the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) began development of the Auburn Valley Master Plan that called for most of the NVF site’s 119 acres being added to the 192-acre State owned property known as the Auburn Heights Preserve. Reuse of the site required a major zinc removal and wetland creation project. Additionally, preservation of its historical legacy was integral to DNREC’s master plan for the area, which includes certain historic buildings. A planned industrial history museum will delve deeper into the site’s historical significance.

Social Media Strategies for Parks and Recreation-Abby Shepard

Social media can be the gateway for park visitors to create meaningful outdoor experiences and become stewards of our natural and cultural resources. If your organization does not have a solid social media strategy, you could be missing opportunities to connect with thousands of people who have the potential to visit or support your organization. How do you make the most of all the social media platforms? How can you create consistently engaging content? This session will discuss strategies for using social media platforms to promote your park, marketing your offerings, and ultimately to transform followers into stewards of Delaware’s resources.

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Pickleball Demonstration-Harold Holeman

Pickleball is a racquet sport that brings together various elements of similar games such as tennis, table tennis and badminton. The game requires a minimum of two players and a maximum of four.

The players use a paddle to hit a ball, similar to a whiffle ball over a net. The game started out as a children’s backyard game, but quickly gained popularity among adults as well. This demonstration will give you a chance to see how it is played.

Eco Bricks

Ever wonder what you could do with all those plastic bags you seem to accumulate? Stop by the Alapocas Run State Parks’ table to learn about Eco Bricks, a way to reuse items normally thrown away. Eco Bricks are plastic bottles stuffed with clean used plastics which can then be used to build items such as structure, garden walls and furniture. Discover how ARSP will be using community created bricks to build a shed at the Can-Do Playground and try your hand at making one.

Disc Golf

Disc Golf is one of the fastest growing sports out there today. Join some local players to learn more about how the game is played, the differences in discs, and try to sink a putt in a portable basket!

Save the Date!

40th Annual Delaware Recreation & Parks Conference

Schedule

Session Descriptions

Certified Playground Safety Inspector 2020 course

Holiday Express 2019