The practice of risk management in the world of Park & Recreation is often perceived as the death to all really fun programs. Park & Recreation professionals embrace the ongoing opportunity to provide the maximum learning through the five major senses. For the opportunities to grow, each individual must not only experience the thrill of competition but must also explore the maximum extent of their mental and physical abilities. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and other statewide agencies constantly strive to insure that recreation programs are broadened and enhanced encouraging professionals to constantly broaden opportunities for the development of all users. The NRPA consistently commits resources and efforts towards minimizing the potential exposure to injury in the park and recreation environment.
This session will provide the attendee with a different view of park and recreation risk management. We will discuss the basic elements of a risk management program and how they can be applied in the park and recreation environment. We will also look at history via litigation, which, hopefully, will provide us with a road map for the future to minimize our liability exposures. Finally, we will evaluate multiple areas of park and recreation programming and determine which risk management tools should be used to create programs that minimize the exposures we face daily.
The five steps in the risk management process are:
Identify and analyze exposures to loss;
Evaluate alternative techniques.;
Select the best technique;
Implement the selected technique; and
Monitor the results.
The five steps in the process create the foundation of an effective risk management program in public service. The successes and failures of the program will be contingent on the commitment of each individual agency and its willingness to be creative and, most importantly, proactive in its efforts.
The first step in the process requires that all parties from risk managers, safety officers, program managers and responsible staff openly and willingly participate in the process. Effective risk management of park & recreation activities cannot be achieved without first understanding and identifying all of the services that are being provided and the types of facilities that are being utilized. Secondly, one must review historical data as to what types of accidents have occurred through general use or programs. Finally, the effective risk manager must walk the area, the "touch the ground effort," to truly understand the breath and depth of the programs being offered. This effort in identifying the exposures should not be conducted solely by the risk manager, but this endeavor should be undertaken utilizing the team concept approach. Even though the risk manager may have the greatest depth of knowledge on the practices of risk management, the park & recreational professionals know their programs better and would be in the best position to try new things and to work to minimize potential exposures.
