Photo Credit: Courtesy of Thomas J. Serensits
This column, “LBWA” (Leadership By Wandering Around), is based on the premise that, in order to find out what’s going on in the field, a parks and rec leader has to leave his or her desk and “wander around” the area of operations, talk to people, ask questions, and kick around ideas with the individuals in the thick of delivering services to the public. So the author will bring up issues that may be common to many PRB readers and ask the leaders who are the readers to weigh in and share their knowledge and experiences.
The last touchdown of the season has been scored. The parks and rec football players, coaches, and fans who support their teams have left the park for postseason victory parties. A chilly wind blows through the stadium, propelling red Solo cups and hot dog wrappers across the field.
As the lights are turned off, a glimpse of the field reveals the consequences of another heavy recreation-league football season. Thousands of little—and not so little—feet have trampled, ripped, and turned to mud what was once a gorgeous field of natural turf.