On the surface, the 2012 national election results may seem to keep us at status quo for another two years. But over the next several months, changes to committee leadership and top administration positions will shift the climate for park and recreation legislation and policy. Tushar Gurjal of The Ferguson Group offers some forecasts for the potentially stormy political weather ahead. NRPA Board members also weigh in with their legislative and advocacy predictions for parks and recreation.

While they’re at it, NRPA Board members also discuss their own future plans and priorities for the association. With 2012 accomplishments like the continued expansion and improvement to the PRORAGIS system and introduction of Premiere memberships for all agency employees, the Board is well poised to begin strategic planning for 2014-2016—a strategic planning process that will make heavy use of the Networks to provide input.

Meanwhile, out in the field, the Great American Trails program of Darden Restaurants is helping to improve park trails all across the country. Learn about three very different trail projects in Massachusetts, Florida, and Texas and how restaurant employees are lending a helping hand.

In this month’s Law Review column, free speech rights collide in a Minneapolis park hosting a gay pride festival. Can the city regulate the distribution of Bibles and other materials? Or will those limitations be seen as an attempt to constrain free speech?

Finally, inclusive and accessible playgrounds are great additions to any community, but choosing the right surfacing that will keep them both accessible and safe can be challenging. Add to that widely varying installation and maintenance costs, and you’ve got a recipe for confusion. We help you sort out the options in the month’s Operations article.

Learn about all of this, plus see our recap of the NRPA Annual Conference, in the December issue of Parks & Recreation!

Elizabeth Beard is the Managing Editor for Parks & Recreation magazine.