Archive for the ‘Parks & Recreation’ Category

National Public Works Week 2010

When I joined APWA in 2004, I received a very comprehensive package of promotional material in the mail which included a letter of thanks, information about their services, the Info Now network, the historical society, benefits of membership and a publications/resources catalogue. Needless to say, I was impressed and as we all know…you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression”.

Harry Campbell's graphic interpretation of the theme "Public Works: Above, Below & All Around You".

Over the years their publications and promotional materials have been consistently relevant, essential and timely. The National Public Works Week (NPWW) flyer that I received this week is no exception. The flyer cover – a copy of the 2010 NPWW poster by illustrator Harry Campbell – is an amazing interpretation of the theme “Public Works: Above, Below, & All Around You” .

Harry’s distinctive graphic line illustration work can be found in most major publications including The New York Times, Time Magazine, Newsweek, and many others. A graduate of The Maryland Institute College of Art where he also has taught. Campbell has received numerous awards from The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, and American Illustration.

National Public Works Week (NPWW) 2010 is celebrated on May 16-22. Instituted as a public education campaign by the American Public Works Association (APWA) in 1960, NPWW calls attention to the importance of public works in community life. The Week seeks to enhance the prestige of the often–unsung heroes of our society–the professionals who serve the public good every day with quiet dedication.

The Association of Ontario Road Supervisors (AORS) has formally partnered with the Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA) – A Chapter of APWA/CPWA. One of the goals of this agreement is to cross promote the partner’s significant events and awards including NPWW. OPWA has two awards available for NPWW in Ontario including:

  • Municipalities with more than 150,000 (The Bruce Brunton Trophy)
  • Municipalities with populations of 150,000 or less (The Roger Brown Trophy).

Township of Scugog staff and elected officials - winners of the Roger Brown Trophy.

The 2009 winner in the first category was the City of Brampton and the second category was the Township of Scugog. Congratulations to both Municipalities and their staff or organizing such great programs that met the strategic objectives of the program.

In my opinion, NPWW activities are like APWA publications. They’re opportunity to make a great impression…a lasting impression of your Municipal public works department and its important role in providing essential quality of life services in our communities. From my conversations with representatives of the winning teams, it doesn’t take a great deal of time or resources to make any NPWW celebratory event memorable. On the other hand, the benefits – award and trophies notwithstanding – including increased morale, teamwork and pride amongst participating Municipal staff are enormous.

So….don’t forget those dates…..May 16-22. If you and your Municipality are interested in supporting NPWW in Ontario please contact anyone at OPWA or AORS or better yet, talk to the Municipalities who have participated in the past. There is no sense in reinventing the wheel.
These folks have lots of experience and good ideas so tap into it.

CentreLine: NPWW is an opportunity to shout from the rooftops “We are public works”.

By Graham Zeisner in AORS, Association, Buildings & Grounds, Certification & Training, Fleet, Municipal Elected Officials, Parks & Recreation, Roads & Bridges, Sewer & Wastewater, Snow & Ice Control, Solid Waste Disposal/Recycling, Stormwater, Transportation, Water, Winter on February 17th, 2010 - No Comments »
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Landscape Ontario Congress (Face2Face) – A Participants Perspective

First impressions and lasting impressions really count

I don’t know what the final attendance was at the Landscape Ontario Congress 2010 but I’m sure they exceeded – so I heard – last year by a significant amount.  I hope so because the Face2Face Congress really raised the bar for this type of event.  For anyone interested in horticultural, lawn or garden equipment, services and supplies there was ample opportunity to network, learn and participate throughout the massive venue.

We had several hands on deck at the AORS booth (Education Section) so I had plenty of time to walk around, network, take pictures and just generally observe the features that make this event so successful and so consistent throughout the 4 days.

dsc_0030-1

Face2Face registration staff were efficient and professional.

Monday, January 11th - Congress Symposiums

Although I didn’t attend the Congress on Monday there was a full slate of a full slate of all-day, specialty programs and conferences including:

I like the idea of offering educational/accreditation opportunities on a separate opening day.  As well, Landscape Ontario’s partners in education have an opportunity to promote their related programs and services.  This really enhances the overall experience for attendees because there is something on the agenda for everyone.  The message is clear from opening day. If you want to learn and be successful in the landscape business then this is the event to attend and participate.

Tuesday, January 12th – Congress Conference (Day 1for those of us at the AORS booth)

dsc_0018-1

Creighton Rock Drill booth featuring 'Greenplus'

Hassel free parking…check.  Hassel free registration….check.  If you are going to attend an event of this size you want to be able to get inside the venue as quickly as possible.  Landscape Ontario staff, volunteers and contractors showed us how it’s done.  Despite thousands of cars descending on the show traffic and parking control persons did a great job and there were many professionally staffed registration tables at the entrance.  In no more than 5 minutes I had my badge, brochure bag and was at the AORS booth ready to work.  Despite our location – perhaps a bit too close to the entrance – we had lots of interest in our educational programs (particularly the equipment operator safety and skills series), annual Trade Show and Spotlight directory.  For attendees and suppliers to get the most out of this event – and all similar shows – you really have to be pro-active, participative and patient.  You only get out of it what you put in so everyone in our booth took turns circulating throughout the venue, talking with some AORS current and potential supplier members.

For the other attendees there was a full slate of Prosperity Partner educational sessions centred around the six pillars of business success…. Sales, Financial Health, Developing Customers for Life, Professional Operations, Leadership Excellence and Technical Expertise.

Highlight Tuesday: If you want a dose of infectious enthusiasm for a ‘green product’ and AORS just have a talk with Peter Creighton (Creighton Rock Drill/CRD).  So that’s what I did.  As usual CRD’s award winning booth (CRD won the ‘Best Inside Booth Award at the 2009 AORS Trade Show) was busy and filled with lots of information and displays about their drilling, breaking, demolition and compaction tools/attachments.  Also featured was Greenplus Hydraulic Fluid ES an environmentally safe high performance biodegradable/non-toxic lubricant made from vegetable oils.

Wednesday, January 13th

On Wednesday Mick Scott, AORS Support Services Coordinator and Lyle Morris, AORS (Past President, 1998) joined us in the booth.  We a fairly good flow of traffic and the professional, proactive approach of the booth volunteers ensured that we made the most of our time at the show. Educational sessions focused on technical expertise, financial health and leadership excellence required for success in the landscape business. The Equipment Dealers Forum was new for 2010 and is an great idea to implement at the AORS Trade Show.

dsc_0001

The 'Certificatied Wall of Fame' was my personal favourite idea from Face2Face.

Highlight Wednesday: “I can sell you a booth, but I’d rather sell you an opportunity”.  These enthusiastic words were spoken by Lorraine Ivanoff, Trade Show Sales representative, Landscape Ontario.  I encountered Lorraine at the Congress office while renewing the AORS booth for 2010.  I mentioned the issues with our booth location near the main entrance and Lorraine took the opportunity to explain to me why and how we ended up there.  Needless to say, I now understand why the ‘education’ booths are located where they are (i.e. we are not-for –profit so we don’t pay full fee).  However Lorraine also explained that if AORS wanted to improve its profile (e.g. promote 50th anniversary in 2011) at this show there are many other options (e.g. forum, mini conference/symposium) available that we could consider for next year.  I think some of her ideas have merit and I’ll be meeting with her soon to discuss them in more detail.

Thursday, January 14th

The final day of the Congress is perhaps a bit quieter than the previous two but surprisingly there is always a pretty steady flow of attendees – particularly students – throughout the morning. I decided to stay over for the final day and I’m glad I did.

dsc_0059

The Welcome Centre was a well designed area to relax and get some Landscape Ontario information from enthusiastic volunteers.

Highlight Thursday: The 8 educational sessions on Day 3 included a technical expertise session – The Marketing Power of Good Photography.  Being an avid amateur photographer I thought this session might be helpful.  The session leader, Nik Milner (Nik Milner Photography) provided some composition techniques to maximize the visual potential photographs particularly for use in various media and on the web.  Nik was very animated and enthusiastic and I’m sure that everyone at this well attended seminar got some useful tidbit to use to improve their work.

The Welcome Centre completely lived up to its name.  This beautifully designed and professionally staffed area was the perfect place to relax, enjoy a cup of coffee, look for a job, get information on training/accreditation or just put your feet up and take a load off.  The Certification Wall of Fame was the focal point for sure. This is a great idea for AORS 2011 Trade Show.

RoadMap: Garden and Floral Expo – October 20-21/2009

CentreLine: Face2Face Congress set a high standard for similar events. Organizations that partner with Landscape Ontario during this and future events stand to gain significant credibility and positive exposure.

By Graham Zeisner in AORS, Association, Buildings & Grounds, Certification & Training, Fleet, Parks & Recreation, Winter on January 18th, 2010 - No Comments »
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Public Works Update

I subscribe to Public Works Update which is an online e-newsletter published twice monthly  by publishing company Hanley Wood.

 
In each edition of the PUBLIC WORKS Update you can expect to find the latest industry news, trends and information from across the country (USA), as well as selections from the latest PUBLIC WORKS Magazine. Many of the articles relate to American public works issues but obviously there are a lot of common issues, challenges, equipment etc. that should be of interest.  I will continue to provide this link on a monthly basis for your information.

Learn More: 3rd June Public Works Update & 17 June PW Update

By Graham Zeisner in Buildings & Grounds, Fleet, Health & Safety, Parks & Recreation, Roads & Bridges, Sewer & Wastewater, Transportation, Water on June 18th, 2009 - No Comments »

Comin’ To The Trade Show?

Gravel road maintenance with graders will be featured at the AORS Trade Show educational workshops.

Gravel road maintenance with graders will be featured at the AORS Trade Show educational workshops.

Your Associates in the Essex County Municipal Supervisors Association invite you to attend the 24th AORS Annual Municipal Trade Show on June 3rd & 4th in Leamington Ontario.

This 2 day event provides an opportunity for public/private sector public works employees to network, share information and technical developments in materials, services and equipment required to build, maintain and monitor core public works civil infrastructure.

New For 2009!

EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS

This year the AORS Trade Show and Education Committees are proud to announce two free relevant workshops for attendees.

Topic: Gravel Road Maintenance

Presenters will cover this important topic from all points of view including:

 Operator

 Municipality/owner

 Equipment supplier 

 Please review the Trade Show flyer for more detailed information or visit the AORS Trade Show and educational seminar pages.

 See you at the Trade Show.

CentreLine: The AORS Annual Municipal Trade Show is the well organized and well attended.

By Graham Zeisner in AORS, Association, Fleet, Parks & Recreation, Roads & Bridges, Sewer & Wastewater, Winter on May 22nd, 2009 - No Comments »
Tags: , , ,

Township of Woolwich, ON Named As a Top Five Finalist for Kraft Hockeyville 2009

Casey Campbell and her CBC Hockey Night in Canada (HNIC) crew announced that Spot 3 Kraft Hockeyville 2009 competition was awarded to Township of Woolwich, ON (Region of Waterloo).  From February 12th – 14th Woolwich will be in the spotlight as HNIC arrives to showcase the community and their efforts to win the coveted grand prize. The grand prize includes hosting a NHL® Pre-Season Game* as well as a CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast plus $100,000 in arena upgrades from Kraft. Each of the other 4 lucky finalists will also win $25,000 in arena upgrades from Kraft plus host a CBC Hockey Night in Canada broadcast from their community.

At the heart of every grass roots local effort to promote hockey in Canada is a public recreational facility.  The Dan Snyder Memorial Arena in the Town of Elmira will be the centrepiece of a multi-use recreational facility located at the former raceway.  Essentially, the design will incorporate an  arena with NHL size ice pad and seating for approximately 1200 to 1500, seven dressing rooms and two officials rooms, and a walking track; Pool with six lanes including a therapy pool; Fitness centre; joint pool/fitness change rooms including family change rooms; Seniors/Multi-purpose/youth centre; administration, concession, storage and service areas.

The community’s role in the development plan for the Woolwich Memorial Centre – and other local facilities – has been widespread throughout the various stages of design and certainly in an incredible fundraising campaign (goal of $5.6 million). The community involvement provided Council with the comfort level of knowing the community is firmly behind these projects, while also augmenting the financial resources needed to bring all projects to completion.

Rod Kruger, Manager of Engineering in the Engineering and Planning Services Department (Township of Woolwich) is on the AORS Board of Directors.  We wish his associates in the Recreation and Facilities Services Department good luck over the next few weeks.  All the Municipal employees and area residents should be proud of their efforts.  We will be watching!

Read some of the great hockey memories from Woolwich Township here.

By Graham Zeisner in Parks & Recreation on February 8th, 2009 - No Comments »
Tags: , , , , , , , ,