Parks and Recreation Magazine, February 2014 Issue | National Recreation and Park Association

Ready, Set, Swim!

Equity

The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson brings communities together and helps reduce drowning risks.

Trending in the Right Direction

Publishers Letter

Gina Mullins-Cohen, NRPA’s vice president of marketing, communications and publishing, discusses the burgeoning trend of adult sports and the opportunities this opens for park agencies.

Each month, NRPA’s leaders share insight on the direction of the association. This month’s column by Robert F. Ashcraft, Ph.D., NRPA’s chair of the Board of Directors, highlights the unified power the membership holds.

Meet the Mayor: Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie

People for Parks

Parks & Recreation Magazine catches up with Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie to talk about his passion for recreation as well as his environmental stewardship plans for his city.

Innovative Play

Park Bench

A Manhattan architect designed a creative playground concept that allows kids to build the playgrounds themselves.

Simple Preventive Maintenance Leads to Sustainable Practices

Operations

NRPA’s director of facilities and administrative services shares advice on how to forestall problems and promote sustainable actions with your facility’s equipment and operations through simple preventive measures.

Progress on the Model Aquatic Health Code

Operations

The MAHC has been developed as a national standard to hold all aquatics facilities to a high level of accountability in their operations. Here’s what you need to know.

Municipal Golf — What’s the Best Management Path? (Part Two)

Operations

In Part Two of this series, golf consultant Larry Hirsh explores the pros and cons of different municipal golf course management options.

Professional Development Planner

NRPA Update

Enhance your professional skills through NRPA's schools, e-learning opportunities and certification programs.

Staff Spotlight: Oscar Galan

NRPA Update

One of NRPA’s longest-serving employees, Oscar Galan helps keep the association’s headquarters in tiptop shape.

Member Spotlight: Jim Lemke

NRPA Update

Columbus, Indiana’s Jim Lemke is an active participant in NRPA’s social media conversations and a dedicated aquatics manager at Columbus’ Donner Aquatics Center.

Test Your Park and Recreation Knowledge

NRPA Update

Are you ready for the CPRP exam?

Scholarships and Fellowships, Oh My!

NRPA Update

Apply for NRPA’s scholarship and fellowships by May 4.

National Wildlife Week

NRPA Update

The National Wildlife Federation celebrates the connections between wildlife and water in the 2014 celebration of National Wildlife Week, held March 17–24.

Consultants Share Opinions on How to Improve PRORAGIS

NRPA Update

A recent meeting of industry consultants provided useful feedback for future PRORAGIS database development.

GoStrive Creates Community Connections

NRPA Update

New mobile app free for NRPA members gives residents an easy way to interact with park and recreation agencies.

Lessons Learned at Supervisors Management School

Member to Member

Member Cindi Wight, CPRE, shares a book recommendation from NRPA’s schools that helped resolve a conflict at her agency.

“Park It Forward” Initiative Promotes Park and Recreation Month for Kansas City

Member to Member

A citywide marketing campaign helped Kansas City (Missouri) Parks and Recreation spread the word about their Park and Recreation Month plans as well as their new website and social media platforms.

The Management Mystery

Managing Management

NRPA’s VP of operations explains why being an effective manager is so hard and what you can do to make it easier.

Letters

Letters

Let us know your thoughts about what you read in Parks & Recreation.

National Lakeshore Neighbors Resist Tree Removal

Law Review

Conservation advocates concerned about the removal of thousands of trees on national parkland butt heads with resource managers.

Exercise, Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Implications for Community Recreation Professionals

Health and Wellness

As incidence of fibromyalgia syndrome rises, recreation professionals need to brush up on how to best serve those in their communities who wish to participate in fitness and recreation programs.

The Importance of a Professional Mentor

Future Leaders

A great mentor will teach you to harness your strengths, overcome your weaknesses and move you to become more than either of you ever thought possible.