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#PRNS Best: PRNS Shares Parks and Recreation Expertise
Representatives from San José PRNS Team Speak to an Audience of Peer Experts from Across the United States
Over 800 miles north of San José, a pair of familiar voices rang out in a packed conference hall in Seattle, Washington. According to the City Parks Alliance, the sold-out Greater and Greener Conference is the only one dedicated to examining parks as a tool for community and city building and boasts attendance of over 1,000 people.
The attendees, from both public and private sectors, met with the goal of sharing information and learning from other experts. Representatives from New York, Dallas, Philadelphia, and many other major US cities were in attendance.
Only the best of the best were selected to speak and share their knowledge with the hundreds of other park experts in attendance. San José is a leader in encampment management and has one of the most extensive trail networks in the United States, but this was not all that attracted the attention of conference-goers.
When San José Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services’ (PRNS) Liz Sewell and Paul Pereria took the stage in front of a crowded conference room, their expertise in all things parks and recreation stood out. As highly sought after speakers, they shared their experience and knowledge on encampment management and trail development and operations.
A conference facilitator at the Greater and Greener Conference interviews Paul Pereria (middle) and Liz Sewell (right).
What do you think of most when you think about nature trails? For many, it’s the sweet songs of birds that come to mind. Many residents around the Coyote Creek area reported that due to the work done by PRNS they were able to hear birds singing along the creek for the first time in years.
The Trail Safety Team Pilot Program brings back this part of the trail experience, and that’s just the beginning. These community programs and investments help PRNS make San José a city where you belong.
Sewell remarked “It’s important to create an environment where all residents can feel that they belong here. San José’s parks and trail network help build the rich community that we are so lucky to have”.
After Sewell shared her stories of trail improvement and community investment, it was time for Pereria to take the microphone. During his captivating presentation, Pereira shared information on BeautifySJ. He illustrated the program’s multifaceted approach utilizing neighborhood blight reduction and encampment management as tools to help “beautify” San José, creating a place where everyone can feel they belong.
PRNS’ encampment management policy is one of the most cutting-edge programs in the country. By implementing innovative new strategies such as the Cash for Trash program, PRNS leads the way in the next generation of encampment management strategies. Cash for Trash helps shift the relationship residents have with littering by offering redemption money to individuals experiencing homelessness for properly collecting and disposing of trash.
Paul Pereria discussed the importance of litter pickups for the BeautifySJ program.
“At PRNS we are always looking for innovative solutions” said Pereria, “We have been very pleased with the results of our Cash for Trash and RVP3 pilot programs so far and look forward to seeing long term improvements it can bring to our community”.
The City of San José’s presence at the conference is a distinguished marker of our expertise in the parks field, and it is important for other cities facing the same challenges to learn from our experience and innovation.
When you’re walking though one of San José’s beautiful parks or exploring the 65 miles of trails connecting our City, remember PRNS is working hard every day to make spaces you can enjoy.
If you would like to learn more about PRNS, please visit sanjoseca.gov/prns. The ActivateSJ Strategic Plan is the City of San José's Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) plan to maintain, improve and expand our facilities, programs, and services. The plan guides how we care for and develop a diverse park system and an abundance of recreation programs and services for all in San José.
ActivateSJ’s mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. To learn more about our department’s plan and vision to move forward, visit activatesj.org.