Features
Restoring Nature's Playground
Two Building Better Communities Grant Program grantees transformed their parks into unique educational play experiences that connect their communities to the natural world.
How Parks and Recreation Will Change Forever
The pandemic is showing how the mission of parks and recreation is evolving to include serving as a provider of social and health services in the effort to rebuild and reconnect communities.
Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships
The decline of city and county tax revenues to the COVID-19 pandemic will mean that now, more than ever, park budgets will depend upon partners from the private sector.
Additional Articles
What Do We Stand For?
NRPA’s Pillars of Health and Wellness and Conservation often are interpreted as “what we do,” while Equity is the heart of “what we stand for.”
Renewing Our Sense of Nature
This health crisis has renewed our sense of nature and open spaces. It’s reminded us to truly appreciate our outdoor environment and understand how it contributes to our mental and physical health.
Parks and Freedom of Speech
On June 6, 2,000 marchers peacefully exercised their First Amendment Rights by expressing their outrage at injustice and racism in our society at Algonkian Regional Park in Northern Virginia.
Cullman Achieves CAPRA Accreditation
In 2020, the team at Cullman Parks, Recreation, and Sports Tourism (CPRST) succeeded in becoming the first park and recreation agency in the state of Alabama to reach accreditation.
Civil Rights Icon Robert García Passes Away
Park and recreation field mourns the death of Robert García, the fierce champion of social justice and defender of parks and recreation.
Fighting Vandalism at Recreational Facilities
Vandalism is not just a nuisance; it is also costly and dangerous. Learn simple ways to prevent vandalism and protect park and recreation property.
Member Benefit: Background Screening Best Practices
BIB and NRPA’s partnership was created to help park and recreation agencies do background screenings better. Learn a few things to keep in mind to help prevent risk.
Data Shows U.S. Public Believes Strongly in Parks and Recreation
One aspect of parks’ vitalness is the ubiquity of their usage; 6 in 7 U.S. adults visited a park, trail, open space or recreation facility at least once during the past year.
Vacation Close to Home with Parks and Recreation
More than half (54%) of U.S. adults are likely to vacation close to home this summer, given the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Impact of Proximate Proportion of Park-Like Space and Views on Housing Prices
In addition to proximate distance, there are two other features of parks and open space that influence a property’s value: the proportion of park-like space in the locale and views from a property.
Protecting Funding for Public Health and Equity
Well before the current coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis, East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) established significant programming, encouraging greater access by members of under-resourced communities.
Confronting Substance Use Disorder
Taking a closer look at the comprehensive response to substance use disorder, which is a public health crisis for park and recreation professionals.
Creating Equitable Access to Physical Activity for Youth
Unfortunately, inequity is profoundly present in organized sports. Racial, economic and geographic disparities in access to sports and recreation had already created wide opportunity gaps and health inequities for many youth. This global health crisis is exacerbating those disparities.
Reversing the Impacts of Nature-Blindness
Due to the pandemic, our communities are reconnecting with nature. How can we ensure they continue to engage with open spaces?
Informal 'Comp Time' Process Prompts Sex Discrimination Claim
In the case of Pearson v. Georgia, the plaintiff claimed her demotion was the result of sex discrimination in violation of federal civil rights law.
Evaporative Cooling Solutions
Learn how new cooling technology is combating the issue of extreme heat on synthetic turf fields.
Make the Most of Your Underutilized Space
Utilizing your space more efficiently can help increase recreation programming initiatives and expand opportunities for your local community.
Using Technology to Help Keep People Safe
Agencies are using autonomous technology to paint "safe zones" to advance physical distancing practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parks & Recreation Crossword: 2020, August
Test your park and recreation knowledge and download NRPA's monthly crossword puzzle!