Celebrating Robert Jennings During Park and Recreation Month
By: Cynthia Booth, Public Affairs Specialist
I think that it is safe to say that many unsung heroes in the parks and recreation profession have stepped up to the plate and done extraordinary things to keep residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From the recreation specialist to the receptionist, no job has been too big or too small during this time.
However, Robert Jennings, Park Superintendent for Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR), is the person who comes to mind when thinking about the life-changing and life-saving work during COVID-19.
On March 26, City of Durham Mayor Steve Schewel instituted a Stay-at-Home Order mandating that all City facilities remain closed to the public until further notice. As you can imagine, that required a lot of prep work to close, secure, and maintain DPR facilities.
During the Stay-at-Home Order, Robert found creative ways for his staff to work safely at a distance, i.e., one person per vehicle, providing safety masks, etc.
Over the past few months, Robert's staff has locked all athletic fields and courts, taken down basketball rims to discourage play, hung park closure signs, secured and closed all facilities and maintain them during the closure. They use the recommended social distancing guidelines while cleaning the park on a limited schedule with all trailheads being serviced once per week and high use parks being serviced twice per week.
Robert also manages to take the time to address the residents who have questions about DPR locking up the basketball courts and respond to emails about trash in the park.
Robert has a construction background, is a musician and an amateur astronomer. When he is not addressing the pressing needs of his day-to-day duties, he lends his diverse skill set to benefit the entire DPR team. He works with resident groups to advise them on permitting projects in the parks, assists the Durham Parks Foundation on habitat restoration projects, and supports the DPR Outdoor Recreation staff on their many astronomy programs.
He also serves as NASA's Solar System Ambassador for 2020 and is one of 25 parks professionals to receive a scholarship to the NRPA's inaugural National Green Infrastructure Certification Program.
Robert has mentioned on several occasions that he is ready to get back to maintaining the parks when the Stay-at-Home Order is lifted because he loves them so much.
Way to go Robert Jennings! We celebrate YOU!
I think that it is safe to say that many unsung heroes in the parks and recreation profession have stepped up to the plate and done extraordinary things to keep residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From the recreation specialist to the receptionist, no job has been too big or too small during this time.
However, Robert Jennings, Park Superintendent for Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR), is the person who comes to mind when thinking about the life-changing and life-saving work during COVID-19.
On March 26, City of Durham Mayor Steve Schewel instituted a Stay-at-Home Order mandating that all City facilities remain closed to the public until further notice. As you can imagine, that required a lot of prep work to close, secure, and maintain DPR facilities.
During the Stay-at-Home Order, Robert found creative ways for his staff to work safely at a distance, i.e., one person per vehicle, providing safety masks, etc.
Over the past few months, Robert's staff has locked all athletic fields and courts, taken down basketball rims to discourage play, hung park closure signs, secured and closed all facilities and maintain them during the closure. They use the recommended social distancing guidelines while cleaning the park on a limited schedule with all trailheads being serviced once per week and high use parks being serviced twice per week.
Robert also manages to take the time to address the residents who have questions about DPR locking up the basketball courts and respond to emails about trash in the park.
Robert has a construction background, is a musician and an amateur astronomer. When he is not addressing the pressing needs of his day-to-day duties, he lends his diverse skill set to benefit the entire DPR team. He works with resident groups to advise them on permitting projects in the parks, assists the Durham Parks Foundation on habitat restoration projects, and supports the DPR Outdoor Recreation staff on their many astronomy programs.He also serves as NASA's Solar System Ambassador for 2020 and is one of 25 parks professionals to receive a scholarship to the NRPA's inaugural National Green Infrastructure Certification Program.
Robert has mentioned on several occasions that he is ready to get back to maintaining the parks when the Stay-at-Home Order is lifted because he loves them so much.
Way to go Robert Jennings! We celebrate YOU!
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