Features
Transforming Toxic Sites
Parks are intended to be healthy havens for all, but many are built on contaminated land that is harmful to the people who recreate and wildlife that live there. Now, many agencies are cleaning up poisoned parks and restoring natural areas to their former glory.
Youth Service in Parks
Park and recreation agencies offer volunteer opportunities for teens to develop practical job skills and give back to the community.
Parks Build Community
Don’t miss the unveiling of NRPA’s 2014 Parks Build Community project at Charlotte, North Carolina’s Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Park.
Hall of Fame Update
NRPA adds one more name to the hallowed ranks of the Robert W. Crawford Hall of Fame.
2014 Congress: Living to Learn
NRPA’s 2014 Congress includes hundreds of education sessions designed to educate and energize attendees.
Advancing Parks and the Public Realm
David Barth shares his fresh look at the public realm and how smart design can improve communities.
Additional Articles
Recreational Rehabilitation
Docks at Glenn Cunningham Lake in Omaha, Nebraska, are outfitted for accessibility, allowing visitors with physical disabilities to easily take to the water without additional support.
The Passion for Parks and Recreation
NRPA’s president and CEO shares her thoughts on how park and recreation professionals can make the most of available limited resources while continuing to inspire the communities they serve.
Meet the Mayor: Hialeah, Florida’s Carlos Hernandez
Hialeah, Florida, Mayor Carlos Hernandez discusses the importance of parks and recreation in his adopted home town.
Go Fly a Kite
Hundreds of kids and adults in Washington state turn out annually to Chambers Creek Regional Park’s fun kite festival.
Sports Facilities Score Points With Added Shade
Shaded areas make visitors to parks and recreational facilities more comfortable while aesthetically enhancing surroundings.
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: Julie Boland, CPRP
NRPA’s Senior Manager of Membership shares insights about her life and career.
Member Spotlight: Shawn Ramirez
Shawn “The Ram” Ramirez is the new face of park and recreation professionals.
To Host or Not to Host: Nontraditional Events
Park professionals must consider many factors when hosting a nontraditional event as these races and contest become more popular.
Dedicating a Month to Getting OUTside and INvolved with Parks and Recreation
The response to July’s Park and Recreation month was the biggest yet.
Making a Splash
San Diego Waterfront Park’s grand opening drives revenue for the county parks department, creates lasting memories for visitors.
The “Other” Audit
A new sales approach helped the Bloomingdale Park District change their company culture and achieve the highest revenues seen in years.
Keep Your Eye On the Baseball Rule
We know to keep our eye out for fly and foul balls at a baseball game, but what about flying food?
Parks and Recreation’s Role in the Concussion Campaign
As concussion awareness in youth sports and activities increases, park and recreation professionals must educate themselves and be prepared to react.
Goal-Setting to Maximize Productivity
Setting goals helps you get organized and sets a scene for success in achieving daily, monthly, yearly and even lifetime objectives.
The Making of a Park and Rec Kid
Parks & Recreation Magazine’s Editorial Director challenges readers to find the “park and rec kid” inside and give some thought to how early experiences with parks and recreation shape today’s perceptions of the industry.
New National Guidelines for Nature Play Areas
Creative play in nature is becoming a hot topic in the park and recreation industry — new national guidelines help support park professionals to offer safe, educational and fun opportunities for children visiting their facilities.
Notable News
Stay up to date on what’s happening in parks and recreation with the latest news from around the field.
Swimming Pools Go to the Dogs
A raucous puppy pool party proves the perfect way to end the summer season.
Fun and Functional
Park planners in Florida incorporate a stormwater management system into a state-of-the-art urban public space.
Grassroots Placemaking
Tactical urbanism offers short-term solutions to longstanding challenges in the built environment.
Record Holders
These record- holding parks and public spaces boast some of the most impressive statistics among their peers.
A Fresh Approach to Advocacy
NRPA’s Vice President of Urban and Government Affairs details changes to our advocacy efforts and how members can get involved in the new plan.