Leisure Time Leisure Time: April-October 2020 | Page 5

Conrad’s
Corner
Never in my 30+ years serving in the City of Port St. Lucie Parks &
Recreation Department have I witnessed such high aspirations and
journeys undertaken toward ensuring best practices are adopted!
The department’s first Master Plan was adopted by City Council on July 24, 2019.
On December 2, 2019, the department officially notified our national agency, National
Recreation & Park Association (NRPA), of our intent to achieve CAPRA accreditation;
a quality assurance improvement process demonstrating an agency’s commitment to its
employees, volunteers, patrons and community. The “clock is now ticking,” as we have 24
months to show evidence of compliance of 37 Fundamental Standards and 103 (90%) of the 114
Non-Fundamental Standards.
First crafted in 2018, the department has developed their Strategic Business Plan, which closely aligns
with the City’s Strategic Plan. The department’s plan embodies five distinct goals to accomplish throughout
the next two fiscal years:
Goal 1: Analyze and strengthen existing
parks operations for optimal performance.
Goal 2: Improve current programs and
events.
Staff meets bi-annually at Staff Retreats
to refine the Strategic Business Plan, to
ensure that we are able to utilize the plan in
future budget preparations, operational and
maintenance planning and so much more.
Goal 3: Improve existing parks and facilities
and effectively plan for future needs.
Goal 4: Advance programs, events and
facilities through innovation.
Goal 5: Invest in our people.
Our mission statement received a muchneeded
overhaul as a result of the creation
of our Strategic Business Plan. Our Mission
is to “strengthen our community by offering
exceptional leisure, cultural and innovative
recreational opportunities.”
We hope that you will see evidence of four
of our uppermost priorities as we work to
improve our facilities and programs for you:
CITY COUNCIL
Mayor
Gregory J. Oravec
Councilmember
Stephanie Morgan
Vice Mayor
Shannon M. Martin
Councilmember
Jolien Caraballo
• Innovative programming, exciting events,
and safe parks & facilities.
• Growing with the City, to meet the needs
of our residents.
• Learning, growing, service.
• A promise and personality of service first.
Councilmember
John Carvelli
CITY MANAGEMENT
City Manager
Russell D. Blackburn
Chief Assistant City Manager
Jesus Merejo
Thank you for your support and we hope
you continue to join us on our journey
toward excellence.
Keep It Clean, Green, Safe & Fun,
Assistant City Manager
David Graham
Sherman Conrad, CPRP
DIRECTOR