By Dan Stencil, CPRE
The phrase “apples to apples” reinforces the idea of comparing like things to draw conclusions.
The first national park and recreation online database, PRORAGIS (Park and Recreation Operating Ratio & Geographic Information System), allows parks and recreation entities to do just that.
Agencies can register free of charge, but National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) members have free access to many reporting options that can be used as planning tools. PRORAGIS also provides user access to GIS mapping tools.
The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission was nearly half way through its 10-year Strategic Master Plan when it invested data entry time in PRORAGIS.
The result was myriad of benefits, including:
- Credibility from using comparative data
- Snapshot of finances, staffing, programs, resources and more.
- Access to interactive, searchable database
- Benchmark survey of peers
- Master planning of parks
- Comprehensive jurisdiction planning
- Strategic planning
- Business and revenue-generation planning
- Marketing of facilities, programs and tourist attractions
- Justification and defense of departmental budgets
Since PROGRAGIS relies on departments to supply data, this initiative will only be as successful as getting people to participate so that we can all benefit from the “apples to apples” comparison. The 2013 Parks and Recreation National Database Report is now available at www.nrpa.org/PRORAGIS.
In other news, the Past Presidents Committee led by Stu Alderman has endorsed a member-driven initiative to offer a new opportunity for industry professionals age 40 and under to gain essential skills that will take their careers to the next level.
The MRA Young Professionals offers professional development through collaborative experiences, networking and volunteerism and leadership development. Click here for more information.
MRPA truly provides members the opportunity to get involved and be relevant.
Dan Stencil, CPRE, is the Executive Officer at the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission and a member of the MRPA Past Presidents Committee. He can be reached at .