Westmoreland County Parks & Recreation Alliance

Westmoreland County
Parks & Recreation Alliance

Westmoreland Municipal Recreation
Providers Come Together in New Alliance.

From County parks like Twin Lakes to local facilities such as Legion Keener and Hempfield Park, residents of Westmoreland County enjoy some of the finest recreational facilities in the state. It is not unusual to find park resources that are both scenic and well-maintained in Westmoreland County, providing a great treasure for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Now, they may get even better.

Late in 2003, the Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation Alliance was organized to improve programs and facilities in the region. Representatives from nine municipal recreation departments have attended two initial meetings of the organization. Discussions centered on a variety of cooperative efforts. Topics ranged from sharing equipment and buying bulk to creating a regional skateboarding facility. Agendas for future meetings will cover issues such as working effectively with volunteers, fundraising ideas, developing leadership skills, and more.

Jeanne Ashley, Director of Recreation & Development for Latrobe Parks and Recreation, was elected President of the Alliance. Other officers include Cheryl Kemerer of the Penn-Trafford Recreation Commission (Vice President), Sherry Bolha of Unity Township Parks and Recreation (Secretary), and Frank Lehman of the City of Greensburg Department of Parks and Recreation (Treasurer).

“The goal of the Westmoreland County Parks & Recreation Alliance,” explained Jeanne Ashley, “is to aid our local parks & recreation professionals through the exchange of ideas and information, networking, and referrals. Alliance meetings offer the opportunity to discuss problems and solutions. There is talk of joint program sponsorships, collective marketing, and the sharing of resources. We saw it happening from our very first meeting, things as simple as people sharing techniques for dealing with muddy ball fields to discussions of where to buy the best pool chemicals.”

The future of the Alliance could have a significant impact for its participants. Workshops on issues central to the concerns of area parks & recreation directors, from grounds maintenance to high-tech issues of leisure services software and website development can all be arranged under the umbrella of the Alliance. Funding applications for regional projects could take on new importance when endorsed by the Board of an association representing 20 different park and recreation agencies.

“I have been here for ten years, “ continued Jeanne Ashley, “and this is the most exciting opportunity for cooperative work between agencies and the advancement of parks and recreation I have seen in Westmoreland County. Instead of working in a vacuum, it is both refreshing and comforting to have a relationship with fellow parks & recreation professionals,-- to be able to pick up the phone and ask a question or share a simple resource, like a movie projector or a Santa Costume.”

The Westmoreland County Parks & Recreation Alliance will meet every other month, with subcommittees meeting on the months between. Locations vary as members each host a meeting in their community. The next meeting of the WCP&R is slated for March 11, 2004, with Hempfield Parks and Recreation hosting the meeting. A small membership fee is charged to each participating municipality/organization to help with basic expenses such as postage, paper supplies, copies, speaker honorariums, etc..

Though only months old, the Westmoreland County Parks & Recreation Alliance is certain to have a positive impact on our communities in the years ahead. Through this effort of improving communications and cooperation between municipal recreation departments across the region, a tremendous opportunity for the advancement of Westmoreland County parks & recreation has begun.

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