In a relatively congenial budget session Wednesday, Recreation Superintendent Veronica Taylor described innovations in both programs and operations for 2015.
While still offering a wide range of youth programs, the Recreation Division is adding more for "active older adults," she said. Online registration and computerized usage tracking are helping her to assess which offerings are most popular, and new social media and marketing plans are being developed to broaden appeal to the community.
Taylor said one pool, at Hannah Atkins Playground, will be open on Memorial Day. Others at Seidler Field and Rushmore Playground will open on June 27, after school lets out. Among her priorities are working on Americans with Disabilities Act compliance at recreation facilities and repairing playground equipment for safety.
Although speakers have challenged changes in the Recreation Division at City Council meetings for months now, only one former division employee did so Wednesday. Most of the questions from the council and the Citizens' Budget Advisory Board were civil inquiries. First Ward Councilwoman Diane Toliver asked about fixing an "unsafe" walking trail at Milt Campbell Field, but Taylor said it was a wildlife preserve area that could not be altered. She said she wants to put in a new fitness trail.
Councilwoman Gloria Taylor, no relation, asked what was being done differently from the last Recreation superintendent. Among other things, Veronica Taylor mentioned training that could help lifeguards pursue future careers in aquatics or as certified pool operators.
Asked why she was offering summer camp only for young children, Veronica Taylor said the school system was operating a camp program for children in grades 4 through 12. Councilwoman Taylor was surprised to hear that the Hannah Atkins Community Center was open, as speakers at council meetings claimed it was not open.
Other questions had to do with staffing, which now includes the superintendent, a program leader and a recreation specialist along with seasonal workers. A request for more staff was removed from the budget, Veronica Taylor said.
While past programs concentrated on youth, she said she wanted to serve recreational needs of older residents and already had Zumba programs at Richmond Towers and Covenant Manor elder housing. Besides encouraging physical activity, she said she wants to help overcome social isolation that may come with aging.
The new Community Pass program allows residents to sign up for programs online and, she said, "The data cannot be manipulated." A monthly program usage report can be generated with the push of a button, she said.
Finance Director Ron West had noted that the Recreation Division in the past used cash from fees improperly to make purchases, and the new system is meant to increase accountability.
Asked why the Recreation Division did not offer tennis and golf, she said there were other programs that provided instruction, some at no cost.
"I can't compete with free," she said.
(All the budget sessions were recorded for viewing on channels 34 and 76, so tune in for the entire discussion.)
--Bernice
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Roni Taylor is doing a great job! Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Ms. Taylor has a good handle on not only her department, but services provided throughout the city. This is great as many services are duplicated in the city which causes little use of each service. Promotion of the services that already exist is great.
ReplyDeleteOne big.difference between this and last superintendent is this one is willing to work with anyone and the other was a nasty bully. The atmosphere in the office is pleasant and professional whereas the last had a heavy air of intimidation. The last one would not have given up that power without a fight if he could. Obviously he couldn't .
ReplyDeleteVeronica Taylor is in touch with the community and what it needs. I applaud her and her staff.
ReplyDeleteTaylor is a puppet of mapp, how come nobody ever talks about Mapp's puppets they are just as bad as Green's puppets.Taylor is all talk, and nothing for kids, if you ask people in this town who are committed to youth programs they will tell you she has hurt youth recreation in this town.I attend the senior citizen center, the director Sharron is doing and has done a great job, Taylor is now trying to get credit for Sharron's work, and the mayor is allowing it.Taylor is disrespectful to the Director.Taylor's fake smile, always looking over her shoulder for answers shows she does not have a clue. Most people again who knows youth recreation is not fooled.Taylor is not in touch with anything accept what Mapp tells her to do. What worked at the ymca does not work for all of Plainfield, when Mapp goes in two more years I hope she is the first to go with him.
ReplyDeleteRebbeca and Taylor are very, very, very, good fiends. She will always defend and co-sign whatever she does.
ReplyDeleteDid not think you would print the truth, but if the other side said something far worse you would print it, but you don't endorse, yeah right.
ReplyDeleteBernice you are not into endorsing people, right? and printed anon, 11:40 AM, Taylor is hurting the youth of Plfd. she is also a nasty bully that smiles and disrepects the Director of Senior Center because she knows that the little man who is hated in Orange will let her get away with anything.
ReplyDeleteRoni is professional and highly knowledgeable about Parks and Recreation. The changes she has instituted in the division, such as community pass, will help the city to track using data. The upgrades to Hannah Atkins pool and community center, and to Seidler and Rushmore pools in her one year in the job speak to her professionalism and expertise. The young people who are receiving training in recreation careers, who receive their certification as lifeguards, etc., will carry that with them into adulthood. The "active older adult" programs that she has instituted at the city's senior residences (Covenant Manor, Richmond Towers, etc.) have shown a real commitment to providing recreational activities to senior citizens--chair zumba, line dancing, and more. Roni is eminently qualified to run the division--in just a year, the whole tone has become positive and professional. I have gotten so many positive comments from folks (especially senior citizens and parents of youngsters) about the variety of offerings. As a member of the council's recreation committee this year, I am pleased with the innovations and upgrades.
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