Features
Parks: A Place for Play
Allowing children to engage in free, unsupervised play encourages healthy mental and social development, if only adults would let it happen.
‘No Thanks’ Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Rejects Offer of Downtown East Park
The City of Minneapolis’ public park agency says the terms of operating a new multimillion dollar park adjacent to the new stadium would have an adverse impact on its budget and ability to serve all citizens.
The Park and Rec Impact: Addressing the Needs of Kids in Underserved Communities
Park & Recreation Magazine talks with Dr. Maya Rockeymoore about social equity as it relates to health, access to safe, open green spaces and how the park and recreation field can play a positive role.
Program Leaders
The Congress Program Committee provides invaluable support to the NRPA team as we all prepare for the 2014 NRPA Congress.
Thank You, Charlotte
NRPA thanks the dedicated members of the Local Host Committee who contributed their time and energy to making the 2014 NRPA Congress the best yet.
Congress Live Off-Site Education
Congress Live is a great way to experience the 2014 conference from the comfort of your home or office.
Parks Build Community — In So Many Ways
NRPA thanks Mecklenburg County and the incredible sponsors of this year’s Parks Build Community initiative at Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Park.
A Partnership of Service
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation has so much to offer Charlotte residents and visitors, from running and biking trails to whitewater adventure, sports and more.
Charlotte: The Heart of the Southeast
Charlotte’s got a lot of things to do, see, taste and experience!
The Children’s Champion
Anthony Washington has dedicated his life to running two playgrounds in an impoverished North Philadelphia neighborhood where safe opportunities for recreation can be hard to come by.
Additional Articles
Not Your Toddler’s Playground
A playground made especially for seniors at Carbide Park in LaMarque, Texas, aims to help aging residents improve their agility, mobility and coordination.
Reflections of Service
NRPA Board of Directors Chair Robert Ashcraft reflects on his service as Detrick Stanford, CPRP, prepares to take the helm of the board.
Childhood Wonderland
Storybook Land and the Land of Oz at Wylie Park in Aberdeen, South Dakota, has been inspiring the imaginations of visitors for almost 40 years.
Low-Energy Lighting Helps Agencies Achieve Green Goals
Fitting fixtures with low-energy LED or solar-powered lighting can save costs and the environment.
Professional Development Planner
NRPA is dedicated to providing learning opportunities to advance the development of best practices and resources that make parks and recreation indispensable elements of American communities.
Staff Spotlight: Molly Higgins
Molly Higgins, NRPA’s exhibits sales and supplier relationship manager, slows down momentarily to talk about her role and the ramp up to the NRPA Annual Conference.
Member Spotlight: Justin Bowens
Portsmouth Parks and Recreation employee Justin Bowens was inspired to lose more than 100 pounds and is now using his personal experience to improve the health and wellness of people in his community.
Community Ideas Inspire Better Parks
NRPA members are invited to enjoy a discount on services with MindMixer, where hundreds of discussions and debates are conveniently hosted online.
Volunteering: Giving Back has Many Benefits
Volunteering is a great way to help others, but the benefits to the volunteer are worth noting, too.
NRPA Takes a Trip
NRPA staff recently took a trip to Patuxent River Park in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and got a chance to enjoy the great outdoors at a beautiful facility.
Community Gardens Yield Community Benefits
Community gardens are becoming a common feature at an increasing number of parks and recreation areas.
NRPA and the Walmart Foundation Support Indian Nations
A Walmart Foundation grant managed by NRPA promotes healthy eating and physical activity in two Native American communities, among others.
Planning a New or Renovating an Old Recreation Center?
Planning to renovate or build a new recreation center can be a daunting task, but it’s made easier with the proper preparation.
Buffalo, New York’s Byron Brown
Buffalo Mayor Byron talks about the state of parks and recreation in his town and why a robust park system is so important to his constituency.
Concussion Training Lacking in Federal Civil Rights Claim
In recent years, most jurisdictions have enacted legislation requiring sport coaches to be trained to recognize the signs of a concussion, but what happens when those symptoms are ignored and serious injury results?
It’s Time to ‘Get Schooled in Anaphylaxis’
Developing a plan to prevent and treat anaphylaxis can save lives.
The Importance of Young Professionals’ Involvement with Community Organizations
Getting involved with community organizations is a great way for young professionals to learn valuable skills.
49 and Counting
Parks & Recreation Magazine’s Editorial Director reflects on unsupervised children in parks and social equity, while looking ahead to NRPA’s 50th anniversary.
A Teen’s Love of Her Local Park and Storytelling Leads to National Award
Bethany Bella channeled her love for storytelling and her community park into a project that garnered a national award.
Notable News
Stay up to date on what’s happening in parks and recreation with the latest news from around the field.
Coastal Captivation
A park project along the Texas Gulf coast highlights the best of the area’s natural attractions.
Bike Lane Buffer Zone
Houston, Texas, is set to get its first protected bike lane this October, marking an important milestone for area cyclists and a city grappling with growth.
Location, Location, Location
These county health rankings provide a snapshot of various health indicators across the United States.
Preparing for the November Election
As Election Day approaches, familiarize yourself with some key political issues and races that can affect your agency.