Nitty-Gritty

The Payson Parks and Recreation Department operates two sand volleyball courts located in Rumsey Park. These courts are FREE of charge to be used by park goers and families. However, on Monday nights @ 6pm the courts come alive with spirited competition. Businesses and ‘Clusters of Friends’ put together teams and sponsor them in the Adult Co-Ed Sand Volleyball League for competition play. This year it was my job to take charge of the League’s organization and scheduling.



The first item on my agenda was to advertise the league and conduct a registration period. I went about this by advertising the upcoming league on the local news channel, placing notices in the local newspaper, as well as distributing flyers throughout the town. These efforts brought together four teams: Payson Regional Medical Center (PRMC), Beach Bums, Sandy Beaches, and the Umpa Lumpas. There is no limit to the amount of players listed on the roster, however for competition, each team must consist of players 16 years or older with both male and female represented. During the games, only four players per team are allowed on the court at one time and both sexes must be represented on the court at ALL time.

Once the teams were established, my job was to place a telephone call to each team captain. I set up an informational meeting with all the captains at which time I provided each team with their approved roster. It is the responsibility of the captain to ensure that each player signs a liability waiver with the Town of Payson prior to participating in any game. At this meeting, I also reviewed the rules of the game and distributed the game schedule. The schedule was organized so that each team plays two games every Monday night. These games are not limited to a time frame; however, they are played in sets of ‘the best of three’ games. The Co-Ed Sand Volleyball League schedule can be viewed at the following website:

http://www.paysonrimcountry.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=jv8MUcJxGh4%3d&tabid=374

Every Monday night, I head to Rumsey Park at 5pm to rake and wet down the courts. I straighten and tighten the boundary markers making sure everything is ready for play come 6pm. Each team is responsible for keeping their own scores and should any issues arise I am there, rulebook in hand, to keep the peace. Play continues throughout the night until all the games are completed ending around 9pm.

This experience has taught me numerous skills in the organization of team sports. I have learned how to initiate a competitive sporting event, organize the logistics of a league, and what it takes to successfully operate a competitive sports league. Not only have I learned management skills with regard to a competitive league, I have also seen what it takes week after week to maintain and prepare the courts for play. This is not a skill that can be learned in the classroom setting. One must actually participate and get down to the Nitty-Gritty to learn these skills.

Running For Cindy

Payson Parks and Recreation hosted its annual Sprint Triathlon on June 13, 2009. My duties involved assisting with the implementation of this triathlon. The activities began the night before the event when a volunteer and I set about the town marking the race path, putting up directional signs, mile markers, and chalk arrows on the streets. The day of the event came early for me starting at 5am. The Parks and Recreation Staff and I registered the competitors issuing them a number and ankle bracelet microchip. The event started at Taylor Swimming Pool with a 500-yard freestyle swim. The participants then proceeded on a 15-mile bike race terminating with a grueling 3.2-mile run. During this event, I staffed a water station as well as rode the course on a Quad making sure all participants remained safe and on the right path.

This event was a bittersweet time for the town of Payson. On June 9th, just four days shy of the Sprint Triathlon Race, a beloved High School chemistry teacher had been killed in a tragic accident. Her name was Cynthia Pool; a member of the community and an avid triathlon runner who had competed in this Sprint Triathlon during the past years. This event was very memorable and heart touching seeing the community come together offering comfort to each other. This year’s race drew nearly twice as many competitors than in years past including a special team of High School students running in memory of their teacher. Triathlon competitors traveled to Payson from all over the state of Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Colorado.
With this experience, I saw firsthand how activities offered by a Parks and Recreation Department unite a community in the face of sadness. Not only did I learn how to implement such a large event, I witnessed the economical impact this event had on the Town of Payson. The large number of participants ascended on Payson spending money on shopping, eating, purchasing fuel and hotel rooms. This is what Parks and Recreation is about, helping the community while meeting the needs of its citizens.

COWBOY UP !

The Arizona State High School Championship Rodeo was held in Payson on June 10th through June 13th. It draws the finest cowboy and cowgirls from Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. “It’s the best of the best,” said Charlene Hunt, town recreation specialist. The rodeo was held at the Payson Event Center located to the south of town across from the Tonto Apache Indian Reservation on Hwy 87. The contestants entered numerous events such as pole bending, goat tying, bareback riding, steer wrestling, bulls, tie-down roping and team roping. Their hopes were to place at the top of their event, securing them a berth in the National High School Rodeo Finals to be held next month in Farmington, N.M.

My involvement with this event included the initial preparation of painting the entire rodeo arena. This began a week prior to event. I was involved in the replacing of the entire chain link fence that surrounds the bottom of the arena. This is a safety requirement to prevent youngsters from entering the arena from the spectator area. Closer to event day, I help set up the pens for livestock which were reserved in advance and rented out to the participants. The rental monies received ($50.00 per pen) is a huge fundraiser for the Parks Department. Another duty of mine was to clear the area in which the vendors would be positioned throughout the 4-day event. During the event, I worked directly under town recreation specialist Charlene Hunt who has organized these types of rodeos for the past 20 years.

Working for the Town of Payson, I have discovered the numerous equestrian programs offered here. The Town owns and operates the facility locals refer to as “The Rodeo Grounds.” These grounds have held a place in Payson history and were once housed on Main Street during the early cowboy days. Besides the High School Rodeo, Payson holds events every Wednesday night such as barrel racing, poles and roping. This is also a place individuals can go to ride their horses. I have been given a great opportunity working with P-Town, as having a rodeo arena within the Parks Department is a special and unique opportunity.

Saturday Nights – and the Moon is Bright

Every summer Saturday night in P-Town there is music to be heard. The Summer Concert Series started on June 6th with the folk band: Sue & Kate, The Brew City Sisters. The series takes place at the Green Valley Park and continues every Saturday night until July 25th. This family oriented event is FREE !! The band sets up in the gazebo stage with the audience sitting on lawn chairs, blankets, and on the open grass. This program was on the ‘chopping block’ when the Town of Payson was forced to make drastic budget cuts earlier this year. Thanks to a volunteer organization called “Friends of Payson Parks & Recreation” the summer concert series was saved. A generous donation from the organization prevented this wonderful event from disappearing all together.




For this event, my responsibilities are to show up at 5pm in order to arrange the booths used by vendors and the Town of Payson. This also entails distributing adequate trash bins throughout the Park. I also post warning signs preventing skateboarders and bicyclists from riding during the event. All the concessions are ready to go and begin selling their items to the public by 6pm. I operate the Town’s booth offering cold water, candy, and novelty glow sticks for sale. I also distribute pamphlets and informational packets on Parks & Rec activities. The event concludes at 9pm at which time the trash is cleared, signs are removed, and I lock up for the night. Below I have included the schedule for the rest of the summer – come check it out.


DATE BAND TYPE OF MUSIC

June 6 Sue & Kate, The Brew City Sisters Folk, Rock & Variety

June 13 Higher Power Band 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and more

June 20 Landon Shill Band Country & Rock

June 27 Moonshine Mafia Country, Southern Rock

July 4 Johnny Anonymous & Gypsy Juke Rockers RockRock, Blues, R&B

July 11 CG Blues Blues

July 18 Junction 87 Country

July 25 Payson Jazz Trio Jazz