Supporting Transgender Inclusion in Youth Sports
By Allison Colman, Teresa Morrissey, Autumn Saxton-Ross and Tiff Cunin | Posted on April 30, 2021
As bills aimed at preventing transgender youth — particularly transgender girls — from participating in girls’ sports continue to appear in state legislatures, here are some best practices, resources and learning opportunities as it relates to transgender inclusion in youth sports.
Celebrating Park and Recreation Professionals on Thank a Hunger Hero Day
By Maureen Neumann | Posted on April 30, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and emphasized the critical role park and recreation professionals play in supporting access to healthy food for community members, especially during times of crisis. This #ThankAHungerHero Day, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the essential role of park and recreation professionals.
New Toolkit to Assess Climate Threats and Park-Specific Strategies
By Jenny Cox | Posted on April 29, 2021
Climate.Park.Change. is a pilot toolkit created by Sasaki in partnership with NRPA. This toolkit compiles data on how climate change is affecting park and recreation spaces and offers physical design and community engagement solutions to address climate impacts and other challenges.
Summer 2021: Safe, Fun, Healthy and Family-Friendly Activities in Parks and Rec
By NRPA Programs and Partnerships Team | Posted on April 21, 2021
We asked NRPA's Conservation, Health and Park Access teams for some summer activity recommendations — check out a few of their ideas highlighting fun ways you can spend time together as a family and make new memories this summer.
New Research Brief: The Evidence Base for Afterschool and Summer
By Nikki Yamashiro | Posted on April 20, 2021
As the country now looks to reopening and recovery, afterschool and summer programs, which decades of research have shown are able to help meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of students, will continue to be a valuable resource.
Addressing Issues at the Intersection of Climate and Health — Episode 089
By Cort Jones and Roxanne Sutton | Posted on April 20, 2021
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, we're discussing how the Climate for Health Ambassador Training, taking place this June in partnership with Climate for Health, will benefit park and recreation professionals at all experience levels.
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department Celebrates Earth Month
By Betty Blockinger | Posted on April 16, 2021
When the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department began planning what Earth Day would look like in 2021, they decided to take a new approach. What if they planted pollinator habitats instead of trees?
Equity-Centered Planning Is About More Than Just Metrics — May Bonus Episode
By Cort Jones and Roxanne Sutton | Posted on April 15, 2021
On the May bonus episode of the podcast, we’re talking with Clement Lau, AICP, a departmental facilities planner for the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, about park and recreation planning with equity at the center.
Planning for Summer Meals Success
By Clarissa Hayes | Posted on April 14, 2021
To support continued meal access during COVID-19, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended key nationwide waivers that will allow park and recreation professionals across the country to adapt and adjust operations to provide meals to children in a variety of ways.
Free Earth Day Concert and Programming with MISTER G
By Roxanne Sutton | Posted on April 9, 2021
This Earth Month we’re excited to be working with MISTER G to promote a series of online workshops and a livestream virtual concert for kids of all ages. You are invited to register for the workshops and concerts for free and utilize them in your childcare and out-of-school time programs or however you see fit.
New Resource Aims to Build a Fairer, Healthier World
By Alyia Gaskins and Tiffany Pertillar | Posted on April 7, 2021
NRPA's new resource, Elevating Health Equity Through Parks and Recreation: A Framework for Action, guides local park and recreation professionals in applying an equity lens when designing, implementing and evaluating programs and services.
What Inclusion and Accessibility Mean to a Special Olympian — Episode 088
By Cort Jones and Roxanne Sutton | Posted on April 6, 2021
On this episode of Open Space Radio, we're joined by Abby Hirsch, an athlete for Special Olympics Minnesota, to learn about her story and what inclusion and accessibility mean to her.