Access equity is one of the most important aspects of parks and recreation, and it’s one we often trumpet here at NRPA. It’s vital that people of all ages, races, creeds, socio-economic persuasions and ability levels are able to enter and use their neighborhood parks and recreation facilities. But more than ensuring all folks can get there, get in and get busy, we must consider what these patrons will do once those initial access hurdles are overcome. What about content equity — that is, having a little something to appeal to everyone, from avid fitness enthusiasts to fledgling musicians and budding scientists? The Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex, located in Ft. Washington, Maryland, and run under the capable auspices of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation (M-NCPPC), has mastered the concept of content equity. Offering a state-of-the-art climbing wall, dedicated dance studio, recording studio, fitness room just for teens, science lab, adult and teen cafés, double-gymnasium and more, this modern facility represents the future of multigenerational centers.
Planning Outside the Box
“Early on, the community and M-NCPPC decided we didn’t want just another sports center,” says Anita Pesses of M-NCPPC’s Public Affairs and Marketing Division. “Out of many conversations, we decided we wanted it to be a learning and leisure center that included science, technology and a place where everyone — no matter their age — could learn new skills in a comfortable environment. We were determined to do something different, something more forward-thinking. It needed to marry physical well-being with mental well-being and the skills needed to thrive in a technological environment.”
In April 2010, construction on the 37,000-square-foot, LEED Silver-certified building began. Planners included innovative touches like sleek glass-paneled walls that change color in the sun, a vegetative green roof above the entrance, and orienting the structure to make maximum use of solar heating and natural lighting. Such efforts resulted in receipt of a Gold Award from the Potomac Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Inside the building, spaces were carved out for fitness, education and leisure, with thoughtful consideration given to each area’s functionality. The Technology and Recreation Complex’s multipurpose room is filled with natural light, features optimum acoustics and includes a kitchen for hosting private and community events. Its dance studio features an interactive video screen so people can drop in any time and pull up their preferred workout — options include Zumba, line dancing, hand dancing, liturgical dance, hip-hop or ballet — no instructor needed. The computer lab hosts enrichment, education and workforce readiness classes with HP and Apple workstations, an interactive audio and visual SmartBoard with projector and iPads. Two cafés — one for adults and another for teens — include areas to relax, study and catch up on the news, with complimentary WiFi, coffee and tea available.
The complex opened to the public in June 2013, effectively drawing a hard line between M-NCPPC’s rec center planning of old and its vision for the future. “M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation is committed to building only multigenerational centers from here on — no more small, stand-alone, neighborhood-based community centers with a gym and a multipurpose room,” Pesses says. “That is an outdated model.”
Meeting Today’s Needs
Prince George’s County, once a sleepy, rural suburb of Washington, D.C., has come into its own with new development and a growing economy. Pesses says that rapid growth quickly outpaced the capacity of Prince George’s other 45 recreation centers, and additional facilities were sorely needed. It took several years and many meetings, but M-NCPPC eventually settled on a design that Pesses describes as “a comfortable, friendly place to attract all ages and abilities, a place to promote, teach and reinforce lifetime leisure habits, physical activity, and health and wellness — and a place that incorporates the technology we all use in the world today.”
Programming at the Technology and Recreation Complex is divided into two areas of focus: sports, health and wellness, and technology. The former category is fairly straightforward, encompassing a wide variety of classes, summer day camps and individual, drop-in fitness and sports opportunities. Special events include sports clinics, health fairs, volleyball and basketball tournaments, monthly health screenings and seminars, and nutrition workshops.
Notably, the complex includes two gyms — one just for teens and one for adults. Pesses says this approach allows whole families to come to the complex and enjoy a satisfying workout together, but in environments tailored to their particular needs. “The teen fitness center is filled with friends, music, laughter, video games, dancing and boxing equipment,” she says. “It is their special place — and many of the adults appreciate that it is separate!”
On the technology side of things, the complex’s computer lab offerings include digital photography, graphics and website design, business management, systems administration training, CISCO training, GED/college-prep courses, financial literacy and interview skills. The science lab features Lego Robotics, environmental science, chemistry, renewable energy, gardening, engineering and Discover Dinosaurs. The recording studio offers vocal training, a community band, music production, sound board fundamentals, radio and video production, commercial and PSA production, DJ skills and techniques, and animation.
The recording studio is particularly notable — few recreation centers include a place for musicians to experiment and hone their craft. “The digital recording studio, equipped with state-of-the-art Pro Tools HD and Avid software, offers recording services for an array of projects,” Pesses explains. “The professional sound engineer can take a project through all stages of production — recording, mixing, editing and mastering — to deliver superior results. [M-NCPPC’s] Department of Parks and Recreation tries to encourage expression in all art forms and music is a significant one. The recording studio also provides skills for young people in the community who want to break into the business.”
The M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation employs an ID card system for entry and use of its facilities — for the Technology and Recreation Complex, youth ID cards are free for Prince George’s County residents ages 6 to 17, and senior passes are free for residents age 60 and older. Adult membership passes are available for purchase and allow entrance into all of the agency’s community centers.
Classes and activities, fitness room access and day camp prices vary based on the number of classes in a session, the type of camp and the level of fitness room use. County residents receive an approximate 20 percent discount on the fees charged to non-residents, and seniors receive a reduced rate on many activities.
A Model for the Future
That the Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex truly is the future of public recreation facilities is a position M-NCPPC holds with confidence — hundreds of hours of community meetings and dozens of statements from the residents it serves revealed strong and widespread support for this sort of multigenerational, multiuse complex. “In the years leading up to construction, we met with recreation councils, civic associations, the business community and elected officials,” Pesses says. “They gave us insight and suggestions on everything from architecture to programming to hours of operation, and they are still involved. That engagement with the community is absolutely essential.”
Judging by the community response during the past two years, M-NCPPC got the message and delivered the goods. “The response to the Southern Regional Technology and Recreation complex has been incredible,” Pesses says. “What we hear most is how happy the community is to have this wonderful facility, and how they want more. The next thing in the planning stages is an aquatics venue, next door to the Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex, which will share parking lots and site amenities.
“Any time you can offer an array of creative programming to satisfy the needs and interests of an entire family with well-designed, flexible and adaptable spaces that can accommodate drop-in visits and scheduled activities — with a welcoming staff and located in the right place in the community — you will have a success on your hands.”
Samantha Bartram is the Executive Editor of Parks & Recreation magazine.