Early in her career, Susan Potts knew that helping people with disabilities and at-risk persons would be her passion.

Potts has been on staff at the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks since February 2007. She is now its Therapeutic Recreation and Accommodation Services Manager.

Potts grew up participating in rec programs and started working with the YMCA as a teen, then continued working at summer camps with the YMCA through her college years.

Potts received a bachelor of science in recreation with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation from Southeast Missouri State University in 1992 and a master of science in recreation administration from George Williams College of Aurora University in 1999.

She moved to the Mid-Atlantic region in 2002 from Chicago to work at the National Recreation and Parks Association. She now lives in the Ellicott City area with her partner and two Chihuahua /mixed-breed dogs, both are rescues.

If you ask her where her happy place is, she will say, “Home with my dogs and baking for friends and family.” Her dream is to one day have a bake shop or truck that would employ people with disabilities.

Describe your position and how it fits into the overall organization, including how long you’ve been a part of the organization.

As the therapeutic recreation and accommodation services manager, I oversee the therapeutic recreation seasonal programs and inclusion/accommodation services. My main duties are ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disability Act for the department, meaning I help research, design, implement and evaluate leisure programs and services in Howard County for people with disabilities. This requires me to work with the entire department — from parks to community programmers. When training new staff, one of the key points I make is that inclusion services take place in every program. This means that if a person is hard of hearing, they can participate in any program and the department will provide the needed accommodations to create the least restrictive environment while enjoying the program of their choice.

A core value in the county is to provide access to all facilities and programs to ensure equity. Therefore, I help make policy and procedure recommendations, actively participate in the design and renovations of facilities and parks and work with several stakeholder groups to ensure that the community is heard.

Working with the community is the best part of my job. I have cultivated lasting relationships with community partners and am proud to call these folks friends. Making an impact on daily lives brings me immeasurable joy.

Claude Ahrens said, “Our obligation to life was to leave this world a better place than what we found it.” This quote drives me. When I see a need I can fix or have a resource that addresses it, I want to make the difference. As I get older, I feel this need grows more critical.

Additionally, I supervise three full-time and several part-time staff. The part-time staff are critical to our success. Without them, we don’t have programs and services.

How did your previous positions prepare you for your current role?

My work with community stakeholders through the years has prepared me for my current position. The art of listening and being in the room is key to knowing what works. My time with the YMCA camp prepared me to work in a variety of situations and with a variety of people. I believe everyone has value and can contribute when given the opportunity and support.

What memories or stories stand out to you over the course of your time with the Department of Recreation and Parks?

Through my almost 17 years with the department, there have been many highlights. Most recently was the success of this past July’s first ever “Play for All Fest.” It was great to see the community come together and celebrate that all people (of all ages) can play in a barrier-free setting — and so many people showed up. This is just one of the many inclusive events I have had the joy to create.

How has the pandemic changed what you do?

It is worth noting that all people experienced loss during the pandemic and regardless of how significant the loss, it impacts everyone differently. The pandemic changed our service delivery. When the county closed, we had just held one of our largest inclusive dance events with more than 85 participants on a Saturday night. We closed programs the following week.

My team quickly recognized that our participants lost everything overnight — care staff, programs, jobs and connection to their friends. Many folks struggled during the pandemic with the loss of connection. My team quickly developed and learned how to transform programs for an online service delivery approach that engaged and provided opportunities for individuals to socially connect. This innovative strategy led us to the transformation of our services, which continues today.

How is your organization addressing the shortage of special education educators in the county and state?

Getting involved in Recreation and Parks is a fantastic opportunity for teachers and teacher candidates to develop skills. Having excellent special education teachers in classrooms is critical to the education of today’s youth. We hire teachers and education students for part-time positions all the time. Recreation and Parks has the ability to prepare future teachers in a real-world environment and develop classroom management skills, positive behavioral supports and experience with a variety of cultures.

The department of recreation and parks recently opened a new inclusive playground at Warfield’s Pond Park in Glenwood. Does the department have plans for any other inclusive playgrounds or improvements to other playgrounds around the county?

Under the leadership of County Executive Calvin Ball and our former Recreation and Parks Director Raul Delerme, the county committed to making our playgrounds and parks more accessible to all people. (This is a mission our new director, Nick Mooneyhan, also enthusiastically embraces.)

As we renovate and build play spaces, we are adding inclusive features. We are reviewing each design to ensure that we have inclusive elements and we strive to exceed minimum standards of practice. You will notice Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Boards, sensory panels and play equipment that is inclusive and encourages cooperative play.

Additionally, we are ensuring as much equity with features to avoid the “ramps to nowhere.” (For example, having a ramp leading up to a play feature versus steps.) It’s not just children that have disabilities. Playing with your child or grandchild is a rite of passage; imagine being sidelined from play. Play is vital for a child’s development: cognitive, physical, communication, social and emotional.

What are some of the benefits to having accessible recreation in the county?

Parks provide health and economic benefits and our programs offer social, emotional, skill-building and more. For example, learning to ride a bike through our program provides a person the ability to transport their self, gain independence and have a new way to exercise.

The benefit of having accessible recreation is that all people, regardless of age, can participate, make friends and learn new skills. Howard County values leisure and recreation opportunities and resources. I believe that recreation and leisure is an essential right and is critical to a quality of life.

What can the county do to support those with disabilities?

County Executive Calvin Ball has been committed to funding play spaces, adult changing tables, accessible facilities and more to ensure all people have limited barriers to recreation and parks. County residents can continue to support facility improvements, park enhancements and the yearly proposed budgets. Also, we are always looking for volunteers and paid inclusion companions to help those that need assistance in order to enjoy our programs.

What are some of your favorite forms of recreation in the county?

Some of my favorite places to visit are Belmont Manor, Haviland Mill and Warfield’s Pond Parks. I love to walk the trails and explore. My other recreation favorites are Zumba classes and our special events — movies in the parks, Kid’s Fest and Wine in the Woods.

What advice, either personal or professional, would you give to your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to make the most of your time with friends and family and have a better work-life balance. I don’t think I would change anything about my career path. I have lived by the “leave it better than I found it” motto and will continue to do so.