Features
Howard Marsh Metropark: A Marsh and So Much More
New park advances several goals near Ohio's Lake Erie shore.
#FindYourWay on America's Rivers and Trails
This year, recreationists and conservationists alike will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of public rivers and trails. Take a closer look at some of the beloved rivers and trails that are part of the National Trails System and the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, created by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the National Trails Act of 1968.
Coyotes Have Moved into Parks Across the United States — Now What?
Coyotes have been present in the American West and Southwest for a long time. In recent years they have spread eastward and southward throughout the country. They are so widespread now that they can be found in every large metropolitan area in North America. So, what should we do?
Take It Outside: The Key to Engaging Young Children with Nature
It’s been clinically proven to enhance children’s growth and development, their cognitive, creative and problem-solving abilities, as well as help with their physical health, social relationships, selfdiscipline and reducing stress levels. It’s free and it’s right outside your door — It’s nature!
Additional Articles
We Need to Tell Our Stories
It is important we take the time to tell our stories and accomplishments. It reinforces the assumptions and narratives we have about who we are and what we do can change.
Creating Tomorrow’s Conservationists
By helping children develop an early passion and appreciation for nature, you could be creating the next generation of conservationists.
Stewards of the Environment: An Expectation Worthy of Our Time and Attention
In its role as the place where the public reconnects with nature, parks and recreation plays a significant part in educating communities to help them better understand how they impact the environment and how they can make a meaningful, positive change.
Conservation in California’s San Diego County
For the past 20 years, the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has worked to preserve undeveloped land through its Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP).
Parks and Water: Partners for Progress
No matter who we are, where we live or what we do, water connects us all. It’s our most precious resource, and the essential ingredient for prosperity, progress and the future of our communities. Now, more than ever, we need partnerships to forge positive and transformative change to secure our nation’s water future.
City Farmer’s Market Vendor Religious Freedom Claim
A look at discrimination, civil rights, first amendment and religious freedom case studies as claims can impact local governments.
Ensuring Today’s Children Experience Free Play
Today’s young professionals are unique, in that we were fortunate enough to experience play — and more importantly, free play. We need to promote the value of play to our communities.
Developing a Park Prescription Program for Your Community
Park Prescription or “Park Rx” programs are gaining in popularity and helping to motivate people to be active in our parks. These programs encourage physicians to “prescribe” physical activity in park settings to their patients.
Changing the Narrative
Increasing diversity and inclusion on public lands has never been more important than it is today. If the upcoming generation does not feel connected to public lands, then it won’t cherish and protect them in the ways previous generations have.
2018 NRPA Agency Performance Review Now Available
This annual publication is a review of data and insights for park and recreation agencies in the United States.
CPRP/CPRE Exams Now Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligible
Did you know the Post-9/11 GI Bill can also be used for certification programs?
Celebrate National Water Safety Month in May
Help bring awareness to the need for ongoing public education on safer water practices.
Commit to Health Impacts Nearly 300,000 Children
Now in its fourth year, the campaign has been implemented by 1,650 park and recreation sites nationally...
‘Meet Me at the Park’ Update
NRPA is once again partnering with The Walt Disney Company — including Disney|ABC Television and ESPN — to celebrate Earth Month by helping to fund local park improvement projects in 16 U.S. cities.
NRPA in the Winners’ Circle
NRPA’s Marketing and Communication’s team secures several awards for marketing campaigns and Parks & Recreation magazine last month.
Replace Paper Forms with ePACT
ePACT — a cloud-based system that lets park and recreation departments easily and securely collect critical emergency data from families attending multiple programs.
Making Play Possible Everywhere
The recent Play Everywhere Tour, powered by Target, NRPA, KaBOOM! and Playworks, showed just how easy it can be to help increase physical activity opportunities for kids and families in communities across the country.
Parks & Recreation Crossword: 2018, April
Test your park and recreation knowledge and download NRPA's monthly crossword puzzle!
How to Green Special Events
Parks often organize or host community events, so it’s important for them to think about the impact of these events, not only on the infrastructure of the park, but also on the environment.
How Does the Private Sector View Parks & Rec?
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.
Proposed Pollinator Park
Hopes are high for a new pollinator park on the east side of Columbus, Indiana, to break ground this June.
NRPA Park Pulse
Each month, through a poll of Americans that is focused on park and recreation issues. This month we asked Americans: How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statement — promoting pollinator health should be a conservation priority across the US.
The 2018 NRPA Annual Conference Preview
Whether you are a repeat NRPA Annual Conference attendee or a newbie, you probably want to know a little more about the event before (or after) you register. Here is a preview to help you plan.