July is Park and Recreation Month, so there’s no better time to celebrate the innovative approaches California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (California JPIA) members are taking to create engaging recreational opportunities for their communities. In the City of Duarte, summer day camp isn’t just about fun activities and childhood memories; it’s about creating a safe environment where children can thrive. Behind every successful camp session is a comprehensive approach to risk management that begins months before the first camper arrives and continues throughout the entire summer season.
For Duarte’s parks and recreation team, effective risk management starts with thorough preparation. “We ensure that camp spaces are equipped with age-appropriate furnishings and equipment, that all amenities, such as an interior drinking fountain and water bottle filling station, are fully functional, and that first aid and bloodborne pathogen kits are well stocked,” said Duarte Parks and Recreation Director Manuel Enriquez. “Based on these evaluations, all action items are then reported accordingly to the appropriate department or division so they can be addressed before camp starts.”
The city’s commitment to safety extends beyond facility preparation to comprehensive staff training. “Training topics include an overview of the program’s policies and procedures, providing first aid and CPR certification, water safety, heat-illness prevention training, reviewing behavior expectations, emergency drills, and mandated reporting,” said Enriquez. “We also provide a mid-summer training to check in with staff, refresh, and adjust accordingly to camp experiences and needs that have come out of the first half of the program.”
This summer, Duarte implemented several safety improvements. “We revamped our camp sign-in and out procedures to enhance camper safety and ensure a secure handoff between a parent or guardian and staff,” said Enriquez. “We also established a designated first aid area within the camp facility—an open floor concept that is partitioned to provide a calm and private area where a camper can rest comfortably, separated from the group until they are picked up by an authorized adult.”
Managing capacity presents an ongoing challenge for Duarte’s popular camp programs. “Both of our day camp locations are hosted in a small park building space,” said Enriquez. “And while we’d love to accommodate everyone looking to participate in our camp programming, we limit the number of participants according to the space’s respective capacity limits to prevent overcrowding and to maintain the safety, quality, and overall success of our program. Additionally, this helps with effectively managing behavioral issues should they arise.”
Duarte’s parks and recreation team also leaned on resources from the California JPIA to build out its risk management efforts. “Authority courses have been integrated into our city’s staff training curriculum,” said Enriquez. “The Authority’s online library resources have also proven valuable for staff when contracting with special guests or vendors for day camp programs. Staff can utilize the provided vendor agreement, tailor it as needed, and finalize it with the approval from the city attorney.”
Duarte’s recreation goals expand beyond its yearly camp offerings and effective staff support. “The city is moving forward on its Duarte Park Revitalization Project,” said Enriquez. “The project aims to rejuvenate the park by replacing outdated amenities with new infrastructure, including a fully inclusive playground and surfacing, new restrooms, an off-leash dog park for both small and large dogs, a new park building, an expansion to the teen center, and additional parking.”
Risk management is being built into the Revitalization Project from the ground up. “While the project is being implemented in phases, risk management is being incorporated by ensuring the professional service agreements have the appropriate contractual risk transfer and insurance limits,” he said. “Additionally, resources like the Authority’s Dog Park Guidelines have been helpful in working with the public and contractor for the design of this future amenity at the park site.”
As communities across California work to provide safe, engaging recreational opportunities for their residents, Duarte’s approach demonstrates that proactive risk management and quality programming can go hand in hand. By investing in preparation, training, and continuous improvement, cities can create environments where families feel confident and children can focus on what matters most—having fun and building lasting memories.
Providing innovative risk management solutions for its public agency partners for more than 45 years, the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (California JPIA) is one of the largest municipal self-insurance pools in the state, with more than 125 member cities and other governmental agencies. Members actively participate in shaping the organization to provide important coverage for their operations. The California JPIA provides innovative risk management solutions through a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services, including liability, workers’ compensation, pollution, property, and earthquake coverage, as well as extensive training and loss control services. For more information, please visit the California JPIA’s website at cjpia.org.