As we look to recognize and celebrate older adults this May, we must acknowledge the current state of our nation as we continue to grapple with the impacts of COVID-19 and identify ways to keep our communities healthy.
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Even though our current reality prevents us from gathering, it doesn’t stop us from finding new ways to enjoy nature and it certainly doesn’t stop us from showing our respect for those who protect and maintain our natural spaces.
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In parks and recreation where face-to-face interactions are the norm, requiring professionals suddenly to work remotely for an indefinite amount of time, in physically isolated environments, is not without challenges. These tips will help you maximize your potential within these work-from-home environments while reducing your stress and maintaining your overall health.
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This week, for the first time since conducting the NRPA Parks Snapshot survey, we looked at the status of campgrounds, as well as future plans for reopening parks and facilities.
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The Austin Parks and Recreation Department is continuing its weekly in-service requirements in order to maintain communication with aquatics staff and maintain lifeguard requirements for both the Texas Public Pool Code and their internal policy.
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Although not deemed essential in every community, many areas of the country are prioritizing access to farmers markets and encouraging community members that eating healthy, fresh foods is a large part of staying healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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On this month’s bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we talk with three park and recreation leaders from the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., about their collaborative response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how they’ve navigated the tough decisions they’ve had to make.
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While COVID-19 has impacted each one of us, it’s well known that certain populations have been more severely affected — people aged 65+, people experiencing homelessness, and people with underlying chronic diseases including diabetes, obesity, asthma and heart disease. However, these are not the only groups at a higher risk of being impacted by COVID-19.
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Since 1970, the world has celebrated Earth Day on April 22, but this year, because of physical distancing guidelines and many people self-isolating at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, park and recreation agencies all over the country have developed creative ways to celebrate virtually and safely.
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On this episode of Open Space Radio, we’re joined by three dedicated and creative staff members of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department in Ohio to talk about the virtual Earth Day celebrations they have planned so their community can safely learn more about the environment around them and how to protect it.
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How do you stay engaged with your older adult population now that many people are sheltering-in-place due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Here are some dos and some don’ts.
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Among the findings in this week's NRPA Parks Snapshot, nearly half of all park and recreation agencies have received requests to make cuts to their current fiscal year budget, while 31 percent of agencies are already making cuts to the next fiscal year’s budget.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service's new guidance is designed to answer outstanding questions regarding pandemic meal service and ensure that all kids in your community have access to healthy, nutritious daily meals.
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As NRPA explores the role of parks and recreation in the opioid crisis, we must recognize and address the reality that other substances, like tobacco and marijuana, are being used on park grounds and/or around facilities, as well.
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With pools, beaches and water parks closed across the country, aquatic professionals are turning to digital platforms to reach their regular patrons and broaden their reach as advocates for safety and inclusive water recreation.
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Originally scheduled for June 2020, NRPA's Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz will be pushed back to September 2020 to ensure communities across the country can participate.
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Among the findings in this week's NRPA Parks Snapshot, less than half of park and recreation agencies (44 percent) continue to keep their dog parks open during the COVID-19 pandemic, while 54 percent of agencies have closed all of their dog parks.
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With the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, park and recreation agencies - like the Whitemarsh Township Parks and Recreation Department - are coming up with innovative solutions to keep their communities healthy, active, engaged and connected.
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If you know you have the gift of connecting with people and have a passion you are willing to share, Marhonda Williams, CPRP, encourages you to give Speed Sessions at the 2020 NRPA Annual Conference a try!
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These are challenging times. But, according to Clement Lau, departmental facilities planner for the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, a crisis is also an opportunity to reexamine current practices and contemplate new ideas.
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During these unprecedented times – when worry is high and staff morale can be low – it’s important to take care of ourselves and our teams.
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On this episode of Open Space Radio, we're joined by Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, to talk about how his agency had to get creative in order to bring Golden Gate Park's 150th birthday celebration to people virtually.
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To further slow the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new recommendations regarding the use of cloth face coverings over the weekend.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many park and recreation agencies to move their programs online. With this in mind, NRPA's Healthy Aging in Parks team has put together these tips for helping you further your virtual older adult programs.
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The NRPA Parks Snapshot provides the latest data on how park and recreation leaders from across the country are confronting the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the findings this week, 91 percent of park and recreation agencies have closed their playgrounds.
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During this difficult time when so many of you are being asked to do more with less, we have received a bit of good news for park projects in the form of state allocations from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
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We’ve seen numerous examples of how recommendations, closures and restrictions are being communicated across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve collected those ideas and distilled them into best practices for the broader parks and recreation community.
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