Meet Rudy Pottorff: Using Health and Wellness Expertise to Transform Community Spaces with IMPACT Parks

Rudy Pottorff is the Partnership Development Manager for IMPACT Parks. Rudy joined the  team with a wealth of experience in the health and wellness industry. 

His background equips him to partner effectively with like-minded organizations. He helps them explore innovative ways to invest in community spaces for play and recreation. Which in the end, enhances community vitality through thoughtfully designed public spaces - and we think that’s pretty cool!

Our marketing team sat down with Rudy to learn more about his background and passion for health and wellness. He’s a fun guy to talk to and would love to continue the conversation on how you can make an impact in your own community. Give him a call at 847-962-2656 or drop him an email to keep the dialogue flowing.

Q: You have extensive experience in the fitness industry, what brought you to work with IMPACT Parks?

A: I’ve had a passion for health and fitness since childhood and find great joy in working within an industry that positively influences health outcomes. My work with IMPACT Parks allows me to extend this impact, benefiting people of all ages and abilities.

Working for a mission-based organization like IMPACT Parks affords me the ability to merge my expertise in health and fitness with the enriching benefits of fresh air and sunshine. With this combination, we can provide substantial health benefits and make a meaningful difference in communities. 

Q: How do you incorporate health and fitness initiatives into your business strategy?

A: Engaging in movement, staying active, and spending time outdoors offer significant benefits to both physical and mental health. However, many Americans lead predominantly sedentary lifestyles, often not meeting recommended levels of physical activity.

Technology is increasingly impacting health as people spend more time on devices, leading to a rise in preventable diseases and mental health issues to unprecedented levels. 

Parks and green spaces offer an alternative that encourages spontaneous play, fosters creativity, and promotes social interaction. Recognizing the critical role these spaces play in a community’s overall vitality, we are committed to adding and enhancing them to create lasting and meaningful health impacts.

Q: What has been the most unexpected but rewarding part of your job at IMPACT Parks?

A: In the health club industry, my work primarily focused on adults, but the shift to supporting health across all ages and abilities is truly remarkable. There's an indescribable joy in seeing the delighted faces of children and adults when a new park or greenspace opens in their community. My hope at IMPACT Parks is to create spaces like this in every community so that everyone can experience that same level of happiness. 

Investing in these spaces has the power to impact multiple generations and connect all types of people in the community. There is no better way to provide long-term mental and physical health impact and improve overall vitality.  

Q: What excites you most about the future of parks and how these spaces are designed and developed?

A: As a PlayCore Collaborative, IMPACT Parks has the best companies to work with to design spaces of all sizes. From playgrounds- to dog parks,  splash pads - to outdoor picnic areas we have the most innovative products at our fingertips.  I’m especially thrilled by our commitment to inclusive design, which ensures that all users can enjoy these spaces. Creating play and fitness environments that cater to every age group is a fantastic way to encourage outdoor activity and well-being. It’s exciting to see how our innovative products help communities build vibrant, engaging outdoor spaces for everyone.

Q: Tell us about a project you’re especially proud of? 

A: The work we do with the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation continues to wow me! For more than 6 years, they’ve invested in 22 BlueCross Healthy Places across the state. It is great to see their commitment to providing neighbors with spaces to socialize, and enjoy healthy activity, no matter the park visitor’s age or ability. 

Partners like this make me extremely proud of the work I’m doing. Finding more partners like them will be critical moving forward to help improve our nation’s health.

Q: Who are the type of clients you typically work with to get these parks off the ground? 

A: At IMPACT Parks, we work with all types of clients that want to give back to communities through the design and implementation of parks and green spaces. We work with various corporations, organizations, foundations, and communities to drive positive health impact.

There are many ways organizations can give back to communities,  but understanding how vital and impactful parks and green spaces can be for community health and vibrancy is essential to the future health of so many children and adults.

IMPACT Parks provides a turnkey partnership to make the project as easy as possible. We work closely with communities to ensure we choose a location and design that will have the most impact.

Q: What role do you see corporate social responsibility playing in your business development strategies for IMPACT Parks?

A: Corporate Social Responsibility continues to affect change in our country by providing significant funding for various causes. As organizations start to understand the lasting and meaningful impact that parks can provide for a community, they provide a springboard for positive change.

From an ROI perspective, these types of spaces can impact communities for decades and provide positive brand awareness and association. Communities are proud of these spaces and rally around the companies and organizations that help fund and make them possible.

It is critical that we shift the mindset from reactive to preventative to start affecting mental and physical health at an early age. Parks and green spaces that are accessible and inclusive for communities will continue to have long-term benefits.