Making Water Safety More Inclusive in Prince George’s County, Maryland — May Bonus Episode

The May issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on
today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’re diving deeper into one
of this month’s feature stories, “Recognizing Water Safety Month.”
In celebration of May being National Water Safety Month, the
article explores best practices for safety in and around the water,
with an emphasis on equity and inclusion. On today’s show, I am
joined by the author of the article, Tara Eggleston Stewart, CPRE,
division chief for aquatics and athletic facilities for the
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) in
Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Tara has been in the aquatics profession since she was 15 years
old, and as she has grown in the profession, she has always
relied on her passion for aquatics and making a difference to
drive her interests and growth, versus focusing on how she might
be perceived by a profession where few people looked like her or
had a similar background. Aside from her work at
Maryland-National Capital, Tara has also served on NRPA’s
Aquatics Network, the American Red Cross’ National Training
Services, the Association of Aquatic Professionals, and Diversity
in Aquatics.


Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Tara, how
she got into the field of parks and recreation, and why making
water safety programs more equitable and inclusive is so
important. You’ll also learn:


Why drowning is a national public health crisis that
disproportionately impacts communities of color and people with
disabilities



How park and recreation professionals play a role in ending
the drowning crisis


How M-NCPPC is fostering and supporting the development of a
“water-well” community through its various programs and
partnerships


How M-NCPPC’s new Southern Regional Aquatic Wellness Center
was designed with accessibility in mind


How agencies can hire and retain qualified and diverse
lifeguarding staff


How to engage our communities in critical conversations and
activities around water safety during National Water Safety month
and beyond, and much more!



Related Links and Resources:


The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Department of Parks and Recreation – Prince George’s County,
Maryland

Aquatics at M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation

Southern Regional Aquatic Wellness Center Virtual Grand
Opening (video)

May is National Water Safety Month

NRPA Aquatics Resources

American Red Cross Lifeguard & Water Safety Training

The Association of Aquatic Professionals

Diversity in Aquatics



 


Pictured: An aquatics staff member from Maryland-National Capital
Park and Planning Commission’s (M-NCPPC) Department of Parks and
Recreation in Prince George’s County, Maryland, provides swim
lessons to a child at a Make A Splash event at the Sports and
Learning Complex. Photo by Cassi Hayden.