September 13, 2022 | Kathleen Allen

When it came time to select Colorado Special Districts Pool’s 2022 District of the Year, Estes Valley Recreation and Park District (EVRPD) was a standout candidate from the very beginning.

As our team toured their facilities over the past few years, each visit showed marked improvement in safety and loss prevention and highlighted a commitment to life safety and the preservation of property. Their growth as a Colorado Special District Pool member has resulted in a burgeoning safety culture that permeated every aspect of their organization from team meetings, safety committees, and day-to-day operations.

When speaking with Robin Fallon, the Human Resources Manager for EVRPD, it is easy to see the commitment and energy that exists within the organization.

“Our Safety Committee will be really pleased that their efforts have been noticed,” she says. “Even though we still have a-ways to go, our team has really come together to support each other’s efforts to improve our safety record.”

EVRPD sits only a few miles from Rocky Mountain National Park, so both outdoors fun and safety are always on their radar. Their amenities include a marina, campgrounds, golf courses, playgrounds, ball fields, and trails. This includes a 67,000-square-foot recreation center that boasts pools, an indoor track, gymnasium, and fitness areas.

“They have done so much to clean up their work areas and try to improve safety,” says CSD Pool’s Safety Consultant Adam Johnsen. “I have toured their facilities three times now over the last six years and this year the changes were absolutely dramatic.”

Today, EVRPD are an exceedingly organized and efficient organization, dedicated to completing training programs both in-person and online—while doing their best to stay proactive in their safety program. The entire team is proud of what they are doing, something that is obvious as soon as one steps foot in the doors or their organization.

“Each time we tour their facilities get more and more organized and their safety committee gets more and more involved,” Johnsen says. “They have grown a lot over the last few years and winning the District of the Year award will give them even more inspiration to keep on doing what they are doing.”

Training

Management participation is one of the most important elements in an effective safety culture. When managers and supervisors commit to developing and implementing safety initiatives, it sets a good example for employees.

Thomas Carosello, EVRPD’s Executive Director, believes that training starts at the top. He makes a point to release an annual announcement reminding everyone that safety is, and always will be, the top priority at the district.

Fallon also puts a huge focus on training when it comes to employees. They participate annually in the CSD Pool’s Training Credit program, where districts are awarded with discounts on their Liability contributions if a high percentage of employees complete a safety training course in the Vector Solutions LMS.

Each year, Fallon ensures that every employee, from full-time employees to part-time teachers and coaches, complete a training course. The amount of time and care that goes into tracking these courses for every employee is immense, but Fallon finds the training important enough to make time for “even if they teach one hour a week,” she says.

EVRPD’s commitment to training is exceptional. When reports are run for course completions for the Training Credit program, their organization is running at almost 200%, which means that each employee is aware of their responsibility to safety. That is no easy task.

SDA Conference

Estes Valley Parks and Recreation District has been recognized as the 2022 SDA Conference for their achievement. Larry Moore, President of the CSD Pool’s Board of Directors and Representative of Roxborough Water & Sanitation District, dedicated a portion of his remarks at the CSD Pool’s Annual Membership Meeting to their amazing progress.

“I want to congratulate Robin, Amy, and everyone at Estes Valley Recreation and Park District in recognition of being the CSD Pool’s ‘2022 Safest District of the Year,’ Moore said. “This year many districts demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to safety, Estes Valley has demonstrated their dedication to life safety, the preservation of property, and the development of an outstanding safety culture—focusing on keeping their most important assets safe while on the job—their employees. So, again, congratulations on your well-deserved award and keep up the good work!”

This award doesn’t just mark the culmination of their hard work; it is only the beginning of what they are sure to accomplish in the coming years.

Congratulations to Estes Valley Recreation and Park District, the Colorado Special Districts Pool’s 2022 District of the Year!