Kristine Stratton, president and CEO of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) issued the following statement in response to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak:

“NRPA is aware of the ongoing concerns regarding the COVID-19. We are committed to helping our members take the necessary steps to help prevent the spread of this virus, and others, in the parks and public spaces they manage.    

Preparedness is key; therefore, we urge our members to follow the recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A trusted resource, the CDC recently posted information on how to prevent the spread of coronavirus in communities. We ask our members to refer to these recommendations and check the CDC website regularly, as the guidance will be updated as additional information becomes available.

At NRPA, one of our key pillars is health and wellness. Local park and recreation professionals provide health and wellness opportunities every day. We support their efforts and encourage our members to work with their local health departments to review emergency operation plans and practice routine environmental cleaning, as well as proper handwashing techniques as recommended by the CDC.”

Read more about NRPA’s response in this blog post.  

 

About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all people have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.