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Home My WebLink About2013-03-20 PACKET 08.A.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM #� DATE 3/20/13 � PREPARED BY Parks and Recreation Zac Dockter ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD ************************,�**********��*�********* COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST Consider approving Parks and Recreation Volunteer Ranger and Legacy Giving programs. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Approve Parks and Recreation Volunteer Ranger and Legacy Giving programs. UDGET IMPLICATION n/a n/a BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION ■ ■ ■ /1' ■ ■ ■ I»_\�I�II�[�7 PUBLIC SAFETY PUBLIC WORKS PARKS AND RECREATION HUMAN SERVICES/RIGHTS ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS DATE 12/10/12 REVIEWED ❑ ❑ ❑ � ❑ ❑ ❑ APPROVED ❑ ❑ ❑ � ❑ ❑ ❑ DENIED ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ � MEMO/LETTER: ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: � OTHER: Program Marketing Material ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS �- � `,,. �, _ �' �' � '� �` �` � � �` � �� `�� ity Administrator Date ��********************************************** H:\Volunteers\Ranger Program�Action Form - Ranger and Legacy Programs.doc � Cottage � Grove � pride a�dP�osperity Meet To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director Date: January 29, 2013 Subject: Parks and Recreation Marketing Plan Background The Parks and Recreation Department continuously seeks ways in which to market the parks and recreational system of Cottage Grove. Marketing efforts are packaged in a variety of ways, but the end goal to create awareness of the vast recreational opportunities provided to this great community. Perhaps the most influential means of reaching residents is by engaging them in the fundions of the department. Whether iYs participating in programs, commissions, events or a simple walk in the park, the more residents use the park system the more likely they will have a vested interest in maintaining and promoting it forfuture generations. To that end, staff would like to implement a new program in 2013 entitled "Volunteer Park Ranger Program". This program would be designed to enhance the customer experience for all park users by having additional service men and women monitoring city parks throughout the year. The volunteers primary responsibility would be to monitor park distrids for issues of concem. Particularly those that need be addressed timely to assure patrons of the parks and trails are having safe and enjoyable experiences. Park Rangers may also be asked to gather statistical data, document park/equipment usage pattems and survey park users to gain insightful information for help in future decision making. A summary of the Volunteer Park Ranger Program and requirements is provided with this memo. A second marketing strategy for review is the Parks and Recreation Department Donation Program. This program currently exists but has received very little participation in recent years. In an effort to promote giving to the community's parks and recreation system, staff is suggesting the promotional material be revised. A draft of the revised promotional flyer is attached with this memo. This revised format opens the door to almost any type of giving request. Those wishing to donate are given the opportunity to be as specifc or as broad in dedicating those generous funds as they desire. Donations may be specifc to a project or piece of equipment, but can also be applied to a general category of operations such as environmental educational programs, trees or river conservation. Further, multiple payment options are now available. One-time donations are accepted by cash, check or credit card, but individuals may also set up planned giving programs. All this is done to assure that anyone wishing to give has a multitude of options to fit their particular needs. Attached is the Legacy Giving flyer. Although the flyer isjust one piece of the marketing puzzle, it is the key in driving the program. All other marketing efforts such as promotional videos, website, social media postings and press releases would bring the target audience back to the flyer. Recommendation Consider approving 2013 Parks and Recreation Volunteer Park Ranger and Legacy Giving marketing programs. Volunteer Park Ranger Program Purpose: Our goal is to provide a safe and healthy environment in Cottage Grove Parks by recruiting and training volunteer park rangers, aged eighteen (18) and up, to volunteer and serve as "Goodwill Ambassadors" in parks, as well as to provide information, instruction and assist with minor maintenance. These volunteers will serve as extended "eyes and ears" of the Parks and Recreation Department and will help staff be more efficient and customer oriented thus improving the park experiences for residents and visitors. This is also a terrific opportunity for residents to give back to their community through volunteerism while enjoying the great outdoors in your hometown! Job Description: Volunteer Park Rangers come forward to offer their assistance maintaining and marketing Cottage Grove's wonderful park system. These volunteers are asked to volunteer four to eight hours per week and will receive formal training in the areas of: 1. Customer service and dealing with the public 2. Park area orientation 3. Park patrol procedures 4. Parks and Recreation Department service offerings 5. Park rules and regulations 6. CPR and AED procedures 7. Safety training— PPE, BBP, etc. 8. Play area safety 9. Administering customer surveys 10.Trainingin naturalresources Once trained, Park Rangers will be designated a service area. Rangers will provide service to the parks and trails within the district and may move about from park to park based on the Rangers assessment of need. Standard duties of Park Rangers include: 1. Answering customer questions 2. Litter removal 3. Safety checks/compliance 4. Graffiti removal 5. Data collection 6. Surveying Requirements: First and foremost, Volunteer Park Rangers should be passionate about Cottage Grove and an advocate for its parks and recreational system. As ambassadors of the City, they will maintain a high level of public service, integrity, reliability and ethics. Before training, volunteers will be required to perform a background check. Following training, Rangers will be given a uniform and given work assignments. Schedule: Park Rangers will be asked to work 4-8 hours per week in one of the eight park districts from the months of April through September. Rangers will have flexible schedules with time and findings reports submitted each month. The City does requests that Rangers perform at least half of their service hours on evenings and/or weekends when parks are at their busiest. Should special events or survey work take place in a Ranger's park district, staff may ask Rangers to adjust or add to existing volunteer schedules. Why give to the Legacy Program i , �� ,� � . .- ; , �• � � �� .:� ._ ..r , . ,� � _ , �, ,M; � , � �� . ; .��k� � , �. �. /� � r � �; � , �� /I/ � ; / ` •. � � � •\ � _ /1 , - ' a �� - - . � .. j - �� V 1 � I � . ' � �>-_ 1� ��_ � ' _ �„�. . �' - . � • . �,� p � i-�� '��;- < ' Recreation De''�t��t�� " continually strives to build off the acy Giving program. Your support i: ensure vital community resources rovided and e r�ti s �,�� to come. If you ' ` �r�s opportunities for a legacy, an en or planned giving, please call 651-458-2847 so we can assu desires for a better park systE met. The possibility for lasting � . :e� ,�� ;� � �� 4 � � � � � Y�1 � Cottage Grove Parks ��- �� Legacy Giving R ^ ��1.� wi 1 � City of Cottage Grove ' Parks & Recreation Department Phone - 651-458-3400 . Fax - 651-458-3415 I . 0 s , . _.�: �. M',� ,'� :wxi . :a . . � � � � � �� .,, .� \, . . r . ;R _ -:;�,,� , „�� - � �� C };. � �� _.� ., ' � •'s� ' ; 1 � �.� ;� ,� k � y . -�� ,!�� wwW .CQTTAGE-GRQVE .QR�i committed citizens can change the world indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. " Margaret Mead Legacy Program Order Form - `�`� ��- ., . .. .. . ��. �. �_� •, ... . �� .•.. , ,�, . •, •. �.� , � , � � �� f ,• r � �' �1,., � � K ,� .,, _� t.a ,, +�.��•'� , ': �l . : �� _ . � ' ' ' �� rr.• , • • � � j '�►' �' � . .. I�� • . ��`��. � The Cottage Grov�� ; `�:.` �„ .�i �, •� � � Park Legacy program'gives thase � . _ • ,�• with a passion for parks, green spa��; �� wildlife, clean water, and history ar�� : �� opportunity to contri ut �c�wards pre�erv ��'� ' and growing this com�l�rrity's' beloved � � and recreation system�'�b1/e are�fortunate �bo �� living in a communitywhere the infu�it��Qf+n��_- nature and recreational opportunities are � simply a part of life. These amenities chi��nc:� � come without cost and it is becaus�� +�� forethought, sup�� er�si��°� �� . thos fore h � �le � � ' � t I I, I�II� �� munity _ — �'� r ,� r in today. , — � ' \ y .• _ ��I' ��,� �. 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