6.0Programs and Services Management
NOTE: Standards marked with a star () are fundamental standards, and are required of all agencies seeking accreditation.
6.1 Recreation Programming Plan
Standard: The agency shall utilize a recreation programming plan that includes both a long-range plan covering 3-5 years or more that is periodically reviewed and a current-year implementation plan.
Commentary: The recreation programming plan includes all elements and services of the public park and recreation agency’s programming functions, including activity selection, type and scope of programs, outreach initiatives, etc. Program elements are aspects such as community centers and playgrounds; programs for senior adults, persons with disabilities and other groups; and specialized program fields such as cultural arts and athletics. Program services are aspects such as program consultation, provision of equipment and facilities, and literature. While related to a master or comprehensive plan, the recreation programming plan shall be an outgrowth of other strategic and program forecasting tools. Program service determinants and participant involvement shall be included in this plan. Agencies with limited recreation program services need to have a plan that defines the scope of services provided by the agency within its service area.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide a Recreation Programming Plan including both long-range and current-year plans.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Greenville County Parks, Recreation, & Tourism staff have developed the Recreation Programming Plan 2013-2018. The provision of publicly supported recreation programs and services is important and must be managed professionally.
The Plan contains the following:See Exhibit 6.1.a
- Agency Background
- Purpose Statements
- Organization Chart
- Program and Service List
- Overview of the Selection Process
- Involving Our Participants and Citizens
- Utilization of Program and Service Determinants
- Partnerships
- Volunteers
- 2020 Vision Statement
- Short and Long Range Goals
Documentation of Evidence:
Exhibit – 6.1 Recreation Programming Plan
Agency Self Review: Met Not Met
6.1.1 Program and Service Determinants
Standard: The programs and services provided by the agency shall be based on the conceptual foundations of play, recreation, and leisure; constituent interests and needs; community opportunities; agency philosophy and goals; and experiences desirable for clientele.
Commentary: A systematic and studied approach should be taken in determining what programs and services should be provided by the agency. Other opportunities in the community, needs of the targeted constituencies, and the agency's own goals must be specifically a part of the consideration for programs and services selected.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide documentation and examples demonstrating that the five determinants are used in determining programs and services.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Greenville County Parks, Recreation and Tourism determines the recreational programs and services that are offered through a systematic approach after background research and the search of Best Practices has been performed.
Program and Services provided are based on:
- The Conceptual Foundations of Play, Recreation and Leisure (does the service fit within?)
- Constituent Interests and Needs (is the service requested or needed?)
- Community Opportunities (is the service provided already & adequately?)
- Agency Philosophy and Goals (does the service fit within?)
- Experiences Desirable for Clientele (is the service offered a quality measureable P&R outcome?)
- Sustainable (will the service pay its own way &/or produce net revenue?)
- Infrastructure (available or will require capital $)
Examples of Program and Service Determinants based decisions:
Group Picnic Shelter
- A leisure service
- GCPRT gets many reservations
- GCPRT could reserve more shelters
- Part of the CIP
- User evaluations are good
- Sustainable + net revenue
- Available; need $ to upgrade
Tennis Lessons
- A recreation service
- Service is requested consistently
- Could handle more requests
- Fits within GCPRT Mission Statement
- User evaluations are good
- Sustainable + could generate more net revenue
- Available
Community Center Karate Class
- A recreation program
- Service is requested by consumers
- Service is not provided close enough nor at a reasonable rate
- Fits within GCPRT Mission Statement and Community Center Mission
- Fitness and Character Development
- Sustainable
- Available
See Exhibits 6.1.1.a -c
Documentation of Evidence:
Exhibits – 6.1.1 Program and Service Determinants
Agency Self Review: Met Not Met
6.1.2 Participant Involvement
Standard: The agency’s development of programs and services should involve participants.
Commentary: Participants should have involvement in (a) planning, through such means as club officers, senior adult and teen councils, and ad hoc committees; (b) conducting activities, such as serving as volunteer leaders on playgrounds, recreation aides for special group services, judges for contests; (c) sponsors, such as playground advisory councils, program and/or team sponsors, special project patrons; and, (d) policy recommendation through citizen advisory committees and study groups at both the neighborhood and community-wide levels.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Describe the process and provide examples of how the agency obtains and utilizes participants' input.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Greenville County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism strives to involve program and service participants and the citizens of Greenville County in the planning process. Citizen input from phone calls, the agency’s website, participant surveys and the recommendations that the staff receives while visiting recreation facilities are very helpful in seeking ever-improving recreation opportunities.
GCPRT involves participants in program development in a number of additional ways:
- The former Greenville County Recreation Commission and the current PRT Citizens Advisory Board meetings offer the opportunity for input on all park and program issues. The new Board’s functions are outlined in Section 1.1.2 and will accept citizen comments in meetings in a similar fashion to the former Commission. See Exhibit 6.1.2.a
- The Youth Football Executive Committee, Sterling Community Center Advisory Committee, and Camp Spearhead Legacy Committee are all examples of advisory groups who offer suggestions and provide input on specific program areas. See Exhibits 6.1.2.c - e
- A Needs Assessment was conducted by Clemson University in 2010. See Section 2.4.4.
- Evaluation forms are completed by participants and by staff on programs. One example of this process is a Survey of participants at the Waterparks. See Exhibit 6.1.2.g
- Neighborhood meetings are held as needed to obtain input and listen to concerns. See Exhibits 6.1.2.h-i
Documentation of Evidence:
Exhibits - 6.1.2 Participant Involvement
Agency Self Review: Met Not Met
6.1.3 Self-Directed Programs and Services
Standard: The agency should offer self-directed recreation opportunities.
Commentary: Self-directed programs and services provide for recreation opportunities where there is only general supervision, including picnic facilities, tennis courts, roadways in scenic areas, bridle trails, self-guiding nature trails, and open playgrounds. These self-directed areas, facilities, and equipment should be provided to give an opportunity for individuals and groups to participate without leadership, under only general supervision.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide examples of how the agency provides self-directed recreation opportunities, including a list of such opportunities.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Greenville County Parks, Recreation and Tourism offers a wide variety of self-directed programs and services including, but not limited to:
- 36 Playgrounds
- 96 Athletic Fields
- 23 Outdoor Basketball Courts
- 2 Fishing Lakes
- 31 Picnic Areas
- 2 Dog Parks
- 6 Historic Sites
- 13 Horseshoe Pits
- 33 Walking Trails
- 6 Gymnasiums
- 3 Water Parks
- 1 Indoor Swimming Facility
- 1 Inline/Ice Skating Rink
- 8 Volleyball Courts
- GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail
See Exhibits 6.1.3 for examples of self-directed opportunities
Documentation of Evidence:
Exhibits – 6.1.3 Self-Directed Programs and Services
Agency Self Review: Met Not Met
6.1.4 Leader-Directed Programs and Services
Standard: The agency should offer leader-directed recreation opportunities.
Commentary: Leader-directed programs and services provide recreation opportunities where participant involvement is directed by a leader, including skills instruction classes, such as tennis, crafts, dance; synchronized swimming performance; creative dramatics for children.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide examples of how the agency provides leader-directed recreation opportunities, including a list of such opportunities.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Greenville County Parks, Recreation and Tourism offers a wide variety of Leader-Directed programs. These programs offer a skilled leader to assist the participants with their recreation experience. An annual brochure of program offerings is distributed and all offerings are designated on our website. All Leader-Directed programs are evaluated by the participants and program leaders.
Examples of Leader-Directed programs include, but are not limited to:
Tennis InstructionIce Skating Instruction
Zumba ClassesAthletic Leagues
Summer Day CampsAfter-School Programs
Residential CampsSwim Team
George the TrainSpecial and Senior Olympics
Road and Bike RacingGuided and Birding Hikes
Senior ActivitiesYouth Birthday Parties
Swimming InstructionHershey’s Track and Field Meet
See Exhibts 6.1.4 for examples of Leader-directed programs
Documentation of Evidence:
Exhibits 6.1.4 Leader-Directed Programs and Services
Agency Self Review: Met Not Met
6.1.5 Facilitated Programs and Services
Standard: The agency should offer facilitated recreation opportunities.
Commentary: Facilitated programs and services provided recreation opportunities where individuals and groups of individuals are encouraged and assisted to operate independently of the agency. An example of facilitated programs and services would be an individual or group that wishes to start a community theater organization; the city may help initially by providing a meeting place, some administrative help in publicity, and "seed money" if needed; eventually the organization may become self-sustaining, Demonstration projects may be utilized for this purpose.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide examples of how the agency provides facilitated recreation opportunities, including a list of such opportunities.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Greenville County Parks, Recreation and Tourism offers a variety of facilitated recreation opportunities for all ages. The staff facilitates and assists many groups and organizations in developing into independent entities to offer quality programs. The Department often assists with marketing, facility scheduling, upkeep and maintenance, plus organization structure and program evaluations. Many of these groups are on their way to being self-sustaining.
Examples include, but are not limited to the following organizations:
- 6 Little League Organizations
- 21 Youth Football Associations
- Team Greenville (swim team)
- Carolina Elite Soccer Association
- Furman Youth Soccer Association
- Curling Club
- Camp Spearhead Legacy Group
- Senior Action, Inc.
- Youth Hockey Association
- Figure Skating Club
- Lacrosse Club
- Special Olympics South Carolina
See Exhibits 6.1.5 for examples
Documentation of Evidence:
Exhibits - 6.1.5 Facilitated Programs and Services
Agency Self Review: Met Not Met
6.1.6 Fee-Based Programs and Services
Standard: The agency should offer programs and services for a fee.
Commentary: Not all programs and services can be offered without charge. To offer some programs and services for a fee can greatly augment the recreational opportunities. Services for a fee may include the rental of picnic pavilions, ice skates and skis, boats, videos, safety equipment. Programs for a fee may include instruction, trips, and theater productions.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide a listing of the fee-based programs and services within the agency.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Greenville County Parks, Recreation and Tourism offers a variety of fee-based recreational, self-improvement, skill development, and social programs and services. Attached is our Fees and Charges Policy which dictates how fees are established, employee discounts, scholarships, etc.
Fee-based programs and services include, but are not limited to:
Athletic Leagues and TournamentsFacility Rentals
Instructional ClassesSummer Day Camp
Residential CampsRoad and Bike Races
After-School ProgramsSpecial Events
Wedding SitesWater Parks and Aquatic Center
Pavilion Programs
See Exhibits 6.1.6 for examples
Documentation of Evidence:
Exhibits - 6.1.6 Fee-Based Programs and Services
Agency Self Review: Met Not Met
6.1.7 Cooperative Programming
Standard: There should be cooperative programming among the public, commercial, and nonprofit entities.
Commentary: The public park and recreation program should be coordinated with related programs of other organizations in the community, such as the schools, voluntary agencies, and churches, to provide maximum coverage with a minimum of duplication, as well as to reduce inter-agency competition for the time of an individual. Programs under joint auspices with other community organizations should be established wherever feasible. In program development, marketing and community action groups should be involved. It is important to insure groups are well-balanced to truly represent the majority, as well as the minority, of community desires.
The desirability of total community programming is in order to avoid unnecessary waste of effort and finances. Frequently several agencies are found to be programming the same type of activity for the same people at the same time -- while some activities and people are neglected altogether.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide description of cooperative programming, with examples of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), Memoranda of Agreement (MOA), partnering, or outsourcing.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Greenville County Parks, Recreation and Tourism seeks opportunities to cooperatively provide programs and services with a variety of partners. The Department works with other public agencies, commercial businesses, and many nonprofit entities. Through these partnerships, time and money are saved and services are enhanced.
Examples included, but are not limited to:
- YMCA provides programming at one of the Department’s community centers.
- Senior Action, Inc. provides a morning program and lunch at the Aquatic Center.
- United Way and GCPRT provide “The Week of the Young Child” events.
- Greenville Gladiator’s assist with the management of the youth lacrosse league.
- Little League Associations play on Department’s fields and provide all league management.
See Exhibits 6.1.7 for examples
Documentation of Evidence:
Exhibits - 6.1.7 Cooperative Programming
Agency Self Review: Met Not Met
6.2 Objectives
Standard: There shall be specific objectives established for programs or services.
Commentary: Objectives shall be written in terms of what the program or service is supposed to do for the participants. Frequently such objectives are written as general values to the individual, such as "develop desirable personality traits" or "improve the mental and/or physical health." While there is a place for this type of generalization, for objectives to be meaningful, they should be more specific as to the actual outcome or impact desired by the program or service. Only in so stating can objectives be used for evaluation purposes. The agency shall define the program areas by the objectives. These can be defined by the program areas; such as; nature, dance, music, sports, fitness, special events etc. These can also be defined further into levels such as beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Suggested Evidence of Compliance: Provide objectives for programs or services.
Agency Evidence of Compliance:
Greenville County Parks, Recreation and Tourism formulates objectives for all programs and services. The objectives assist in the planning and implementation of programs. They are also used in the evaluation process. Below are the Program Objectives for recreation programs.
Adult Sports Objectives:
1. Exercise
2. Camaraderie + teamwork
3. Socialization + friendship
4. Competition
Youth Sports Objectives:
1. Fun
2. Social and Character Development, Good Sportsmanship
3. Health, Fitness, and Coordination Development
4. Intellectual Growth
5. Promotion of family interaction and building relationships
Special Events Objectives:
- Provide a safe and nurturing environment.
- Build events that offer unique experiences.
- Partner with local groups to enrich the event.
- Maintain price points that make events affordable for all families.
- Move toward each event operating as an enterprise fund.
Day Camps Objectives:
- Provide a safe and nurturing environment.
- Have well trained staff in the areas of CPR/First Aid, programming, behavior management
- Diverse and well-coordinated field trips and guest speakers.
- Maintain open and clear communication with our Families.
- Offer an affordable program. Using the scholarship program to help some families.
- Foster growth with peers and adults in an environment of mutual respect.
Camp Spearhead and the Weekend Program Objectives:
1. Improve campers ADL (activities of daily living) skills
2. Improve campers social skills
3. Provide respite for families and caregivers
4. Foster a "sense of belonging" for a population often overlooked and underserved
5. Provide laboratory setting/proving ground for young staff going into the field
6. Connect families who share common challenges
Special Olympics Objectives:
1. Encourage and foster active lifestyle/improve physical fitness
2. Expand friendship base both athlete to athlete and athlete to non-disabled peers
3. Foster "sense of belonging" - chance to wear the uniform and be "on the team"
4. Connect families who share common challenges
5. Exhibit to the community the skills/gifts of people with intellectual disability
Sports Tourism Objectives
1. ROI (Return on Investment) - increased visitor spending, specifically county hotel a-tax and county restaurant h-tax
2. Increased national awareness of Greenville as a sports tourism destination
3. More contacts that lead to secured events
4. Collection of visitor spending data to accurately report annual economic impact
After-School Objectives
1. The provision of learning through social interaction and structured play
2. The promotion ofa bothactive and interactive lifestyle