Downtown Detroit Partnership Announces Historic Expansion Of Downtown Parks Stewardship
The Downtown Detroit Partnership announced a landmark expansion of its stewardship over the City of Detroit’s beloved green public spaces. The Downtown Detroit Partnership has officially begun the management of 18 parks and public spaces—tripling its previous oversight and reinforcing its pivotal role in shaping the heart of Detroit.
This expansion underscores the enduring partnership between the Downtown Detroit Partnership and the City of Detroit, following Campus Martius Park's back-to-back recognition as the No. 1 Public Square by USA Today readers. The newly extended contract, running through 2039, not only reflects the Downtown Detroit Partnership’s track record and expertise, but also its commitment to enhancing urban life for all Detroiters.
“We are honored to be entrusted with an expansion of our long-standing leadership of the Downtown parks and public spaces, which have proven to be dynamic centers of activity for our community,” says David Cowan, chief public spaces officer at the Downtown Detroit Partnership. “This expansion allows us to further our mission of creating meaningful, people-first places that have garnered international attention. Each unique park and public space we manage is a testament to our pride in our city.”
The following is the complete list of parks and public spaces (new ones in bold) now managed by Downtown Detroit Partnership:
Parks
- Campus Martius Park
- Cadillac Square
- Cadillac Square East
- Grand Circus Park
- Capitol Park
- Beacon Park
- Paradise Valley Park and Plaza
Public Spaces
- Woodward Esplanade
- Third Street Medians and General Thaddeus Kosciuszko Plaza
- Gratiot Avenue Medians
- Washington Blvd. Medians
- Jefferson Avenue Medians
- Beaubien Street Medians
- Monroe Street Medians between Woodward and Randolph
- Madison Street Medians
- Broadway Street Medians
- Randolph Street Medians
- Gateway to Freedom International Memorial
For more information, visit DowntownDetroit.org.
Wooster Products Announces Dora Abel’s Retirement
After four decades of dedicated service, Wooster Products, Inc. announced the well-deserved retirement of a valued team member, Dora Abel. Throughout her tenure at the company, Dora has made significant contributions that have made a great impact.
Dora began her journey with Wooster Products in 1984, and since then, she has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment, professionalism, and expertise in the industry. Her dedication to excellence and her positive attitude have not only inspired her colleagues but have also played a pivotal role in the company's success over the years.
As she transitions into retirement, Dora leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered and cherished by all. Her insights have been invaluable, and while employees will miss her presence in the office, the team is grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside her.
Thank you, Dora, for your years of hard work, loyalty, and dedication. Your presence will be missed, but your impact will continue to inspire.
City Of Round Rock Lifeguards Take Championship Title At State Competition For Second Year In A Row
City of Round Rock Lifeguards participated in the 2024 State of Texas Lifeguard Competition and made history as the first Round Rock team to earn a 1st-place Championship Title 2 years in a row!
The Round Rock Lifeguards competed with lifeguard teams from across the state of Texas, all of whom had earned top-4 wins from their respective regional competitions to qualify to compete at the state level. Teams from Round Rock, Cedar Park, Kerrville, Baytown, The Woodlands, Flower Mound, McKinney, and Grapevine competed in this year’s competition. Surrounded by the best-of-the-best lifeguard teams in the state, Round Rock Lifeguards showcased their skills and teamwork as they responded to the competition’s scenarios and emergency situations.
Teams are judged on their recognition, response time, skill performance, teamwork, communication, and ability to work under pressure in responding to multilayered scenarios and mock rescue situations.
City of Round Rock Lifeguards undergo an extensive training course, weekly in-service trainings, and consistent skill audits to ensure they are comfortable and confident in preventing and responding to emergencies at city facilities. The Championship Competition Team dedicated extensive hours to their skill development in performing water rescues and water safety protocols, the same tenets that guide the city’s 175-person summer lifeguard team in their daily tasks at city pools.
City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation Lifeguards have earned multiple local and national awards for their dedication to safety, training, and culture. Learn more about the city’s lifeguard programs at www.roundrocktexas.gov/lifeguards.
Immersive Public Artwork ‘Field of Histories’ Features Glowing Glass Orbs Integrated Into The Landscape
A field of nearly 200 glowing orbs reveals the dreams, artistry, and legacy of the community’s past. The new public art installation, “Field of Histories,” is now on view in Toledo, Ohio’s Glass City Metropark.
Designed by Brooklyn-based artist Bryony Roberts, the sprawling installation consists of laser-engraved glass orbs on stem-like steel supports, surrounding a walking path in the park. Integrated into the landscape, the immersive work celebrates previously untold stories gathered from Toledo residents through a series of in-depth community engagement sessions. People who have lived or worked in the city were invited to share objects of historical significance that made an impact on their family, local history, or cultural identity.
The history of each object was documented, and the items were then photographed to serve as a model for subsurface laser engraving. The process resulted in 3D images engraved in the center of each glass sphere, which appear as detailed frosted shapes. Illuminated with LED lights, the orbs and the frosted shapes within them glow throughout the day and the seasons. Visible from across the Maumee River, “Field of Histories” serves as a beacon drawing visitors to the park to engage with the past, present, and future of Toledo.
Many of the depicted objects illustrate the history of industry and labor in Toledo and honor the city’s reputation as the glass capital of the world. “Glasstech Globe” was submitted in honor of Harold McMaster (1916-2003), a scientist who was named “the Glass Genius” by Fortune Magazine and whose glass inventions changed the world. He developed glass for appliances and televisions, created a market for tempered glass, and is considered by some as the father of commercial-scale solar energy. Other submissions highlight the importance of local companies such as Toledo Scales, Willys-Overland Motors, and Libbey, Inc. (formerly Libbey Glass Company). Contributions of personal significance range from artwork and vintage swizzle sticks to military medals and gifts commemorating a wedding anniversary or other milestone. The project includes an online catalog of each object and an interactive map.
“Field of Histories” is among several works of public art sprinkled throughout Glass City Metropark that reference the region’s past. Glass City Metropark is part of the larger Glass City Riverwalk, an ambitious 10-year project that is converting abandoned, underutilized, or formerly industrial land (brownfields) into a five-mile-long public greenway accessible to all. Breathing new life into the riverfront through a conservation-first approach, Glass City Riverwalk will eventually connect six neighborhoods on both sides of the Maumee River.
“Field of Histories” was funded by the Metroparks Toledo Foundation and selected after a national search for proposals conducted by the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo.
For more information, visit metroparkstoledo.com.
Field Notes
East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) announced the passing of EBRPD Board Director Ellen Corbett. She was elected to the board in November 2016 and served as President from January 2020 to January 2021. Flags at EBRPD properties were flown at half-mast in her honor.
Munro, the leading manufacturer of pumps, pump controls, and pump stations for the turf irrigation market, has named Jeff Prell as its new National Sales Director.
On August 1, Tarak Charfi joined Wibit Sports, the world market leader in floating water parks, as Managing Director.
Werk-Brau recently added industry veteran Todd Kundinger as a Regional Sales Manager for the southeastern U.S.
Jeff Prell, Tarak Charfi, Todd Kundinger (left to right)
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint David Mullins as the next ITA Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1.
Calendar
November
12-13 2024 OPRA Leadership Summit, Columbus, Ohio—The Plaza Hotel Columbus at Capitol Square; https://www.opraonline.org
12-14 PSP/Deck Expo, Dallas, Texas—Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center; https://www.poolspapatio.com/en/home.html
15-17 ITA Coaches Convention, Dallas, Texas—Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex; https://wearecollegetennis.com
20-23 Athletic Business Show 2024, New Orleans, La.—New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center; https://www.abshow.com
25-26 Connecticut Recreation & Parks Association 64th Annual Conference & Tradeshow, Uncasville, Conn.—Mohegan Sun Hotel & Convention Center; https://crpa.com/conference/registration
December
3-6 ASBA Technical Meeting & Trade Show, Orlando, Fla.—Rosen Shingle Creek; https://sportsbuilders.org/page/technicalmeeting
21 Morgan’s Snowball 1K/5K Race, San Antonio, Texas; https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/SanAntonio/MorgansWonderlandSnowballRun
January
13-16 The Northern New England Recreation & Parks Conference, Bartlett, N.H.—Grand Summit Hotel at Attitsh; https://nnerpc.myrec.com/info/default.aspx
14-16 Mid America Pool, Spa & Outdoor Living Show, Indianapolis, Ind.—Lucas Oil Stadium; https://midampool.com
26-31 Park and Recreation Maintenance Management School, Wheeling, W.Va.—Oglebay National Training Center; https://static.rollrivers.com/custompages/rosters/formats/APStateAbbreviations.pdf