ABC Essentials: Grab Your Sunscreen

“What exactly is a Witbit?” asked an attendee.

“A Witbit is a floating obstacle course that we set-up at our pools,” responded Pam Salokangas, Director of Centre Region Parks & Recreation (CRPR). “We add a new obstacle occasionally to keep them fresh and the kids love them – they line up to race each other.”

Salokangas went on to tell the group, which assembled at the CBICC office on a Wednesday evening to learn about municipal volunteer opportunities with ABCs (authorities, boards, and commissions) over refreshments, about the financial viability of the local pools.

“Zero tax dollars go to the pools,” Salokangas pointed out to the group. “The two pools are 100% self-sustaining thanks to the purchase of seasonal passes and concession sales.” She noted the uniqueness of this financial situation, adding that most pools lose money and credited the renovations done in 2008.

Salokangas has been with the 53 year old organization since 2016, moving to the area where her parents live and she often visited before making it her home. She has a team of 23 full-time employees, which grows to about 150 in the summer when seasonal employees join the team.

This team manages 56 park sites that cover nearly 1,200 acres – 923.4 of which are actively maintained by CRPR. They organize an Easter Egg Hunt, 4th of July parade, and Halloween parade. They bring a mobile “Rec on the Go” vehicle to kids’ neighborhoods for safe playtime and host Learn-To clinics, such as Learn to Ride a Bike. And, they run summer camps, the Active Adult Center in the mall, Millbrook Marsh, and various sports leagues (54 softball teams in 2019). The entire operation portfolio spans eight budgets and relies on nearly $8 million, which is not all funded by taxes. As a non-profit, CRPR engages in fundraising and can accept grants and donations.

CRPR’s municipal members are the Borough of State College, College Township, Ferguson Township, Harris Township, and Patton Township. Each member appoints a resident to CRPR’s board, along with State College Area School District (SCASD):

·       James Dunn – Borough of State College

·       Cindy Solic – Patton Township

·       Diane Ishler – Harris Township

·       Denise Meyer – Ferguson Township

·       Kathy Matason – College Township

·       Shannon Messick – SCASD

These resident-members serve for a five-year term and there are currently no term limits. The monthly meetings are televised on CNET. To learn more about the appointment process, please contact your local municipality or the CBICC office.

These board members not only help steer CRPR, but they also keep open lines of communication between CRPR (a Centre Region Council of Governments entity) and their home municipality. Municipalities also have their own Parks Committees and co-own parks that are maintained by CRPR. So, communication is essential.

“We’ve opened the door to partnerships and would love to add more,” added Salokangas.

Some partnerships are municipal, like the ownership of the three regional parks: Oak Hall in Boalsburg, Hess on Route 45, and Whitehall Regional Park on Whitehall Drive. The Whitehall Park also has a private sector partner.

“They are providing $1.2 million in infrastructure, which includes the park’s driveway, traffic light, pump station, and they are bringing in the utilities – electric, water, natural gas, and sewer,” Salokangas shared, speaking about The Cottages at State College, a development that is being built by Toll Brothers. “They will stub these items at our boundary, which allows us to focus on finishing those services within the park.”

Partners, board members, staff, and residents are all important when it comes to bringing new ideas to the table and into fruition.

One idea centers around the organization’s need for more classroom space.

“Could we rehab an old elementary school or community center?” Salokongas mused with the group.

Another idea is both environmentally and budget friendly.

“We’re looking at areas that could be low-mow,” Salokongas shared. “By not mowing all the way down, from edge to edge of every area in each park, we can be more strategic and save money on gas for the mowers, gas to haul them, and staff time.”

To share your ideas or get involved, please contact your local municipality or contact CRPR directly ([email protected] | 814-231-3071). To attend a free ABC Essentials session, sponsored by Maher Dussel, please visit cbicc.org to view upcoming events or contact Irene Miller ([email protected] | 814-234-1829).