Before CivicEngage

According to Stiens, Spartanburg County’s Parks Department had always seen the value in modern technology solutions to help it achieve its citizen engagement goals. So when its previous custom-built department website no longer offered the functionality and professional appearance the county desired, Stiens and his team knew it was time for a website redesign.

“Spartanburg County had transitioned to a CivicEngage website in 2015,” said Stiens. “Our department had been using CivicRec as our recreation management software, but it also had its own website that was custom built for us, and it needed a refresh. As a local government using public funds, the money we were spending on our parks department website, compared to what we were getting didn’t make sense. Plus, it was three years old, and with the fast pace of technology, it looked outdated.”

Stiens added that since the County was pleased with its CivicEngage website, and the County Parks Department was pleased with its CivicRec solution, it was an easy decision to work with the CivicEngage team to help the Parks Department redesign its website too.

“We were pleased with the service we were receiving from CivicPlus, so it was an easy business decision to make to streamline our software partners.”

After CivicEngage

Unlike the County’s previous website that required an expert programmer to make updates, Stiens and his team today enjoy the ease-of-use of the CivicEngage content management system (CMS).

“I tell people that CivicEngage is so easy to use that even I can update it now,” said Stiens. “We have a core leadership team of five or six managers who all have access to the CivicEngage CMS to make updates and edits. It’s very easy to use, and we’re able to use the spotlight feature to quickly promote on the homepage a wide variety of programs to our diverse population. CivicEngage helps us get our residents to the information they want and need in fewer clicks.”

In addition to the simplicity of the CivicEngage functionality, Stiens and his team enjoy the seamless integration offered by the use of both CivicEngage and CivicRec.

“CivicRec is an important tool to us to promote online transactions,” said Stiens, “So the seamless transition back and forth between CivicEngage and CivicRec is important.”

As the Spartanburg County Parks Department continues to strive to meet and exceed the expectations of its citizens, it will continue to rely on its integrated CivicPlus team.

“We have been very pleased with the transition to CivicEngage,” said Stiens, “And very pleased to be able to get an up-to-date, refreshed website that gives us more flexibility, that is easy to use, and all at a large reduction in cost."