Our speaker on June 10, 2022 was Park Planner Kaylyn Neverve talking about the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Community Forestry programs.

Kaylyn started by pointing out that Parks and Rec is much more than Parks.They are responsible for playgrounds, prairies, trails and much more.

A lot of planning goes into the design of everything with a goal of enhancing Qualify of Life through our public spaces. They consider uses and activities, comfort and image, access and always have stewardship in mind.

Lincoln currently has over 150 parks. There are:

  • Neighborhood parks - small, nestled into residential areas, do not include parking
  • Community parks - a little large, and include parking
  • Regional parks - that include programs and special focus

There are some unique playgrounds around Lincoln including Idylwild and Trago Parks.

Kaylyn said that there have been many changes since she joined the Department. One thing she has enjoyed working on is the development of Inclusive Outdoor Play areas. That project has included community members who are familiar with the challenges. There are parents and caregivers as well as individuals who can use the inclusive equipment. They considered the needs of those with autism, downs, mobility challenged, blind - all groups of challenged individuals.

They are challenged with funding and are embarking on a capital campaign. Playground equipment of any kind is expensive and special needs equipment is even more expensive.

She explained the differences between standard, adaptive and inclusive playground equipment. For those who are not able to use standard equipment, they may be able to use adaptive - the person can sit strapped in. Inclusive equipment is designed for multiple people and a person can even lay down and use the equipment.

Another challenge to the cost of a playground is the platform. In order to be sure they are accessible they cannot use the standard sand / gravel / wood chips that often was used in the past. Instead they need concrete.

The inclusive outdoor play strategic plan includes:

  • Working Committee -Dedicated parents and caregivers of children and adults with special needs
  • Surveys and Boardgames and Meetings, Oh My!
  • Long Term -4 large play, 5 smaller play experiences associated with recreation centers, first inclusive playground will be Mahoney Park slated for 2024
  • Next steps -Campaign with LPF to raise funds for all playgrounds
  • Continued work with the Working Committee
Kaylyn had much more to share with us. Her power point pages are attached below (broken down to smaller files):
 
 

BIO

Originally from Western Nebraska, Kaylyn Neverve is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Bachelor of Science and Design.

Her career has taken her around the world, from working with public-private partnerships in the Galapagos Islands to master planning and urban design in Portland, Oregon.  Upon returning to Nebraska, Kaylyn designed and managed private projects across the lower Midwest before landing at Lincoln Parks and Recreation (LPR).

Since March of 2019, Kaylyn has served as a Park Planner with the Planning and Construction Division at LPR. Her roles include design through implementation of public landscapes, playgrounds, and facility improvements for all of Lincoln’s 140+ parks and associated facilities. Kaylyn interfaces regularly with the public, including marketing and communication about large-scale events such as tree giveaways, public open houses and strategic planning projects.

Kaylyn enjoys the public involvement processes which allow citizens to have meaningful involvement in planning of public projects such as new playgrounds, volunteer tree plantings, or pollinator gardens at different scales across the City of Lincoln.