Manassas Park Community Matters Blog Post - Being a Recreation Specialist — by Mike Arrington

Something people do to relax or have fun: activities done for enjoyment.   The need to do something for recreation” is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be “fun“.

Imagine waking up and knowing that your day will consist of dealing with a wide variety of recreational activities. Teaching a flag football class, monitoring a basketball practice, gathering interest in an adult dodgeball tournament, putting teams together for a basketball league, finding staff for a soccer class, answering emails about a gymnastics or karate program just to name a few items on your list. Now envision planning and writing the curriculum for athletic summer camps that include volleyball, basketball, dance, cheerleading, tennis, lacrosse and mixed martial arts again just to name a few.

This is my reality and I can honestly say I love my job. I grew up an avid sports fanatic. I played every sport there was and knew that one of my goals in life would be to play or be part of the recreation / sports industry. So here I am, (fast forward some many Sun ups and Sun downs) sitting in my office proud to be the Recreations Specialist (Athletics) for our Manassas Park Community Center.

So you wonder what that means well let me share a little of what my colleagues and I do here at the center:

• Enforce rules and regulations of recreational facilities to maintain discipline and ensure safety.
• Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities such as arts, crafts, sports, games, camping, and hobbies.
• Meet with staff to discuss rules, regulations, and work-related problems.
• Greet new arrivals to activities, introducing them to other participants, explaining facility rules, and encouraging participation.
• Explain principles, techniques, and safety procedures to participants in recreational activities, and demonstrate use of materials and equipment.
• Provide for entertainment and set up related equipment.
• Confer with management to discuss and resolve participant complaints.
• Administer first aid according to prescribed procedures, and notify emergency medical personnel when necessary.
• Complete and maintain time and attendance forms and inventory lists.
• Ascertain and interpret group interests, evaluate equipment and facilities, and adapt activities to meet participant needs.
• Manage the daily operations of recreational facilities.
• Evaluate recreation areas, facilities, and services to determine if they are producing desired results.
• Meet and collaborate with agency personnel, community organizations, and other professional personnel to plan balanced recreational programs for participants.
• Encourage participants to develop their own activities and leadership skills through group discussions.
• Supervise and coordinate the work activities of personnel, such as training staff members and assigning work duties.
• Oversee the purchase, planning, design, construction, and upkeep of recreation facilities and areas.
• Serve as liaison between recreation participants and activity instructors.
• Evaluate staff performance, recording evaluations on appropriate forms.
• Schedule maintenance and use of facilities.

Phew… and that all fits into a work week (give or take a few days). Working in Recreation is an enjoyable activity and I must say it’s my “fun” as well. I share these sentiments with my fellow MPCC coworkers and especially with my recreation supervisor and other specialists, we love the field we are in and enjoy coming to work to provide these services for you. Come to the center and see what exciting recreational activities we have programmed for you, we are sure you will have fun too!

Mike Arrington is a Recreation Specialist for the Manassas Park Parks and Recreation Department.  He can be reached at 703.335.8872 or via email at m.arrington@manassasparkva.gov.

Community Matters is a blog created by the City of Manassas Park Department of Parks and Recreation. The blog features program updates, announcements of new services, special event notices, or information of general interest.