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Visioning
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Visioning/Leadership Session - July 9, 2008

Summary

In summary, Visioning engaged staff, the public and constituency groups in a process that educated all to the issues and ideas for addressing state park concerns, allowed for significant sharing of ideas and priorities related to state parks and will leave a “living“ document in place as the system prepares for it’s second century.  The ideas and visions are many and varied, and this draft document should be a useful tool for future administrators, legislative leaders and others to guide the parks system towards a preferred future.  I believe those involved understand the issues and the challenges facing the system better than when we started the process.  Decisions on implementation are left for others to deliberate and set their own priorities.  However, the Visioning draft document will form the basis for those future discussions.

Conclusions

Missouri State Parks has a rich history, one of many successes and failures.  To maintain the public support which has been characteristic of this system, will require constant attention to the needs that evolve from the users of state parks and historic sites and leadership that looks farther down the road, towards unanticipated needs.  This vision will dictate actions which others may not seem as necessary, but when viewing the system needs on the long term, may be vital to the future of state parks.  One thing is certain…..we live in an era of continual change.  Only by looking into the future, can one take the steps necessary to maintain the relevance of a state parks system to the people and continue the excellent heritage of Missouri State Parks.

Recommendations

It is recommended that State Parks Administrators, review and update this document on a frequent, if not annual, basis.

It is recommended the Department and Division continue to search out new forms of revenues or develop a strategy to return General Revenue funding to state parks.

All recommendations that can result in increased revenues ( without impacting the resources ), and those that address cost avoidance or reductions must get the highest priority.

Those recommendations that mention staff, user, urban outreach and program diversity get immediate priority.

An internal Visioning group be tasked with the responsibility to review these ideas on a regular basis.

Appendices

Appendix A.   Visioning Ideas from the Doug Eiken, Director of State Parks June 2008

  1. Create a Visioning implementation group to follow up on exercise.
    1. 2 Field – SHS – Parks- 2 Field SOSA’s, 2 District, 2 Interpretation
    2. 1 Ranger, 1 FIRM, 1 P&D, 1 DAS, 1 DNR Planning, 1 DNR Director’s Office
    3. Marketing
    4. 1 Stretch  Project = Staffing
  2. Expand and improve our volunteer program at the District, Site, Park and State Museum. (Connie Schmidt, RP)
    1. Target an annual 10% growth in volunteer hours
    2. The Next Great MO State Parks Volunteer program
  3. Consider having a full time resource scientist at each District.  (Ken M )
  4. Allow families and others to adopt a cabin, with some residual benefit.
  5. Create “ Adventure “ Packages and market them through local banks. (Win an “Adventure“ package at your local bank.)
  6. Develop an accessible trail with health information at each park and site. (Barb W.)
  7. Internal communications, establish a column on partnerships and innovations to showcase what we are doing in this area.  (Sue Holst)
  8. Hire a Spanish speaking historian (John Cunning)
  9. Establish a Native American interns program for Van Meter (Al Terrill)
  10. Do pilot eco/history tours with fees to provide new programming options (David Kelly)
    1. Contract or partner with MO Archeological Society, Audubon.. etc..
    2. Grandparents/kids package tours
    3. Civil War tours
    4. Katy Trail tours
    5. Cave tours
    6. Backpacking
  11. Consolidate PMW/BCW for training and project needed at parks and historic sites.  (Chris Crocker)
  12. Create a fundraising position (MSPF or contract ?)
  13. Create a job shadowing partnership between field and Central Office staff.  (Sue Stiedley)
  14. Make our web site more adaptable and allow field to update.  (David Kelly)
  15. Have managing Invasive and Exotic species as the next Jaeger topic. (Barb Wilson)
  16. Continue to improve the efficiency of bill paying at the field level.  (Noni)
  17. Monitor non-statutory requirements to reduce Divisional paperwork. ( Noni )
  18. Consider paying more overtime to staff that work weekends and extra hours during the main park season.  (Dan Paige)
  19. Address inequity between non-supervisory and Central Office manager compensation and manager salaries in the field.  ( Noni )
  20. Establish one “go to“ Central Office staff for each park and site.  Allow travel to those places to establish face to face contact… kind of a Central Office Omsbudsman for their interests.  ( Sue and Noni )
  21. All program directors….  Work a weekend day in a park or site.  ( Dan )
  22. Develop… with MSPF… a  CI matching grant program for state parks. ( Doug )
  23. Develop a strategy for returning GR to our new CI projects. ( Doug )
    1. Use DNR/DSP alumni to implement a coordinated lobbying program.
    2. Interest off of settlement…
  1. Establish a four person Historic Restoration team. ( Jane ) – ( Being Done ) ( Consider having them work in a park half the year, and statewide crew the other half. )
  2. Sell and accept only our own trash containers.  Use $$ to pay cost of garbage pickup.
  3. Work with our campground hosts, DNR and DSP alumni, honored campers to create a MO State Parks Ambassador program.  ( Connie Schmidt )
  4. Create and maintain a meet the employee section in Masterpiece Journal. ( Sue Holst ) ( Being Done. )
  5. Use new technology for interpretation.. cell phones, Ipods, Iphone technology.  ( John Cunning )
    1. Geo tagging to Google Earth
    2. Download tour information on Ipods
    3. Be more proactive in the I-pod world. ( John Cunning and JB )
  6. Survey and develop secondary… and diverse… interpretative themes and parks and sites.
    1. Set aside internal fund to support this… ( $ 20,000 )  ( John Cunning )
  7. Expand urban programs in St. Louis and Kansas City.  ( Jim Rehard and Brian Stith ) ( Being Done )
    1. Partner with local parks
    2. Get media sponsor
  8. Develop Spanish signing and system wide and targeted brochures at parks and sites.  ( David Lako)
  9. Put together a “ Using Parks Safely “ pamphlet… on parks, rivers and lake use ( Spanish ) ( Fred Hicks )
  10. Develop an annual park Kickoff campaign.. April 1…  Free or discount camping, prizes..( David Kelly )
  11. Do a Tirage assessment of all facilities in system.  Focus on a 15% reduction in facility. ( Cris Crocker )
    1. Group camps
    2. Swimming Pools
    3. Park buildings
    4. “Banking” of selected Parks and Sites
  12. Go wireless in 5 years.  ( David Kelly )
  13. Finish signs program by 2009. ( David Lako )
  14. Work on updating MO Masterpieces Table Top book by 2017 ( Susan Flader ) Team - Susan Flader, Booker Rucker, Glen Gessley, Pam Boatright, John Cunning
  15. Develop more kid focused special events.  ( David Kelly/Andrea Putnam )
    1. Kids fishing
    2. Kids camping
    3. Kids hiking
    4. Kids caving
    5. Kids History Explorer
    6. Etc..
  16. Investigate a Geo tagging program to upload sites and locations to Google Earth. ( JB ? )
  17. Develop a Natural Resources Tourism program. ( Doug and Doyle )
  18. Develop differentiated fee proposal for consideration in the Revenue Enhancement program. ( David Kelly )
  19. Re-evaluate the need for larger vehicles in the fleet… Should each site/park have an hybrid vehicle.  ( Dan P. )
  20. Work to streamline small ( > $ 5,000 ) grants process. ( Sue Stiedley )
  21. Develop plan for a historic sites affiliates program. ( John Cunning )
  22. Seek 5 – 10 non-classified positions to use in recruiting and employing a more diverse workforce. ( Noni/Laverne B.)
  23. Consider employing or contracting for an efficiency auditor.. Construction, paperwork reduction, ( Sue Stiedley )
  24. Create fund to allow fuel expenses for school field trips. ( John Cunning )
  25. Consider targeted special events to create visitation and new audiences. (  Andrea Putnam )
  26. Go to a 4 – 10 hour day schedules system wide.  ( Noni )
  27. Develop a mobile interpretative and programmatic “van“…  Archeological, WOW, Civil War, etc.  ( Brant Vollman, Jim Denny, Frank Wesley )
  28. Doug do a Second Century Report ( Doug )
  29. Develop a “ Park Model “ village at the lake in Goggins Mountain at JSI or Wakonda SP. ( Greg Combs )
  30. Investigate local partnerships with Arts groups. ( RMIP )
  31. Review Ranger Program review to see if all aspects have been implemented.  ( Steve Wilson )
  32. Establish Resource Managers Breakfast on a monthly basis. Stretch project.  ( Noni assign )
  33. Develop a list of GR Bond projects and one for any proposed Revenue Bonds. ( John Balkenbush)
  34. Be smoke free by the Century ( 2017 )
  35. Encourage Central Office and District staff to serve as Greeters on weekends at parks and sites. ( Noni and Dan )
  36. Volunteer “ hosts “ at parks and sites without campgrounds. ( Andrea Putnam )
  37. Do a photo directory of DSP staff. ( Sue Holst )
  38. Hire seasonal journalism interns to be in parks, documenting stories and photos.. video..? Web?
    1. What state parks mean to me.
    2. My favorite experience in State Parks ( Sue Holst )
  1. Multi allocate BCW’s to address salary inequities. ( Noni )
  2. Develop a guidebook on personal commitment energy use and recycling.  ( Jim Yancey )
  3. Have mid and upper level managers visit and talk to maintenance and other staff at parks and sites.
    1. Asst. Dist. Supervisors
  4. Focus on improving internal communications. ( Sue Holst )
  5. Consider a fee to obtain an optional patch or sticker for park supporters or Katy users. ( David Kelly )
  6. Develop a gifts catalogue for posting on the web to raise funds for needed projects. ( Jane Lale )
  7. Use more park housing unit for rental and reduce housing for staff. ( Dave Lako )
  8. Take a look at getting sponsors for special events. ( David Kelly )
  9. Find an area to create a year round WOW program as a family and youth skills development center.  Free or low cost.  ( Kendra Varns )( Agreement with Urban Schools, Churches and Clubs?)
    1. Current River
    2. Babler Lodge
    3. Knob Knoster
    4. Watkins Mill
    5. Etc..
  10. Feature a Trail of a Month in the eFriends newsletter. ( Sue Holst )
  11. Develop Civil War educational newsletter for kids.. EDCO Michigan. ( John Cunning )
  12. Get a MSP plan including proposed costs.. Separate out SHS and Curation/Museum (Kurt Senn )
  13. Parents as Volunteers for Interpretation ( John Cunning )
  14. Kids in the Outdoors.. Focus on Parents, Grandparents and Adult guardians. ( Kendra Varns )
  15. Look at the Ha Ha Tonka as the standard Visitor Center model for Parks and Sites to get people engaged in the out doors. ( Jane Lale )
  16. Develop internship program with UMSL or Tribes for Van Meter ( Richard Forry )
  17. Train staff in marketing parks and sites. ( Barb Wilson )
  18. Train all DSP staff in Interpretation ( Barb Wilson )
  19. Require all park, site and district administrators to do at least two interpretative programs a year. ( Dan Paige )
  20. Add interpretative rating to comment cards. ( John Cunning and David Kelly )
  21. Consider using Knob Noster group camps to target minority. ( Kendra Varns )
  22. Develop an Adopt a Mile program for the Katy and Rock Island. ( Dawn Fredrickson )
  23. Recruit Guest Interpreters. ( John Cunning )
  24. Create a MAP team to develop curricular standards for interpretation, parks and sites. ( John Cunning )
  25. Create a Teambuilding program for Parks/Sites .. include Rangers and all staff. ( Barb Wilson )
  26. Ensure all staff are invited to… and included in …  all staff meetings. ( Asst. Dist. Supervisors )
  27. Create an interpretative grants program for education and innovative programs. ( Noni and John Cunning )
  28. Prepare an informational package, or brochure, on the long term funding crisis in parks, along with potential options for solving it, for distribution to key publics and decision-makers.. ( Terry Whaley – MPA )
  29. Create a volunteer maintenance signup program for campers and trail users, run by Campground Hosts or recruit a volunteer coordinator at each park/site.
  30. Finish all General Management Plans by end of 2009.  ( John Cunning  )
    1. Include Marketing or Business Plan and Revenue Goals for each.

Appendix B.   Visioning ideas placed on the Iinternet for public comment.