Merry Recess to All and to All a Soundbite
By Leslie Mozingo | Posted on December 21, 2011
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State Assistance was funded at $45 million (an increase of $5 million over FY11).
Connecting the Links
By Leslie Mozingo | Posted on November 30, 2011
Next time you read about a bill creating new authority for a park and recreation program or the annual appropriations measure to fund it, you will find yourself armed with a better understanding of the terms.
The Reincarnation of the World's Largest Landfill
By Shelley R. O'Brien | Posted on November 22, 2011
Freshkills Park was turned over to the Department of Parks and Recreation to create a park on the 2,200 acres (three times the size of Central Park) over the next 25 years.
Tick, Tock …
By National Recreation and Park Association | Posted on November 16, 2011
What impact has partisan bickering in politics had on park and recreation programs?
Transportation Enhancements Fight Growing More Intense
By Leslie Mozingo | Posted on October 27, 2011
At a time when our nation needs to maximize our federal dollars, reduce obesity, minimize traffic congestion, and reduce our carbon footprint, while also creating jobs, how can we afford to not invest in trails?
Arizona Forward
By Maureen Hannan | Posted on October 19, 2011
People know parks enrich their economies. They use and value their parks. And yet, they may not know exactly where the money comes from to keep them going.
PE vs. Summer Camp
By Elizabeth Beard | Posted on October 17, 2011
The acronym “PE” holds a lot of negative associations for some people.
To Tax or Not to Tax. Is that the Question?
By Leslie Mozingo | Posted on October 13, 2011
One of the tasks assigned to the Deficit Reduction Committee is to recommend tax reform that includes changes to the tax code to build revenue and to pay for tax credits in order to build the economy.
Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.
By Charlynne Smith | Posted on October 11, 2011
November 2011 marked the 20th year of Supervisors’ Management School (SMS). The program has provided 20 years of continuing education to professionals in the parks, recreation, and leisure service field.
The End of Thinking Outside the Box
By Phil Hayward | Posted on October 7, 2011
NRPA brought high level decision makers together at a special roundtable, Financing the Future, to discuss sustainable long-term funding for public parks.
Budgeting for Two?
By Jon Wisbey | Posted on October 5, 2011
Many state and local governments already employ a biennial budgeting process.
Treasure Maps
By Maureen Hannan | Posted on October 4, 2011
PRORAGIS yields insights into how park leaders across the country are spinning the “straw” of basic park data into gold.
Easy Come, Easy Go
By Leslie Mozingo | Posted on September 22, 2011
American Jobs Act could provide opportunities for parks and recreation.
What Does the American Jobs Act Mean to Parks & Rec Agencies?
By Jon Wisbey | Posted on September 15, 2011
The Jobs Act would provide significant investments in transportation projects that could be utilized to enhance local open space.
Transforming an Ugly Duckling — Success at Selena Butler Park
By Richard J. Dolesh | Posted on September 12, 2011
The renovation of Selena Butler Park, NRPA's Parks Build Community project, was completed in less than 90 days; just in time for a dedication ceremony held during the 2011 NRPA Congress.
Make Way for the Millennials
By Shane Mize | Posted on September 9, 2011
Millennials are estimated to be in the age range of 20-35. NRPA's Young Professional Membership is targeted to professionals, 35 and younger, who work at least part-time in the parks and rec field.
Markups and Mayhem
By Stacey Pine | Posted on September 8, 2011
How do we balance two seemingly competing priorities of cutting the deficit and stimulating the economy and where does funding for park and recreation infrastructure and programs fit into that conversation?
Heart of Hialeah
By Elizabeth Beard | Posted on September 6, 2011
The most vulnerable populations in Hialeah are lucky to have a capable caregiver in the Parks and Recreation Department.
Returns on Investment
By Maureen Hannan | Posted on August 31, 2011
While the nation’s realtors, chambers of commerce, and park devotees recognize that parks are economic drivers, much of the rest of the country continues to regard parks as sheer expense.
Guest Blog: The Future of Parks & Recreation Studies
By Robert F. Ashcraft | Posted on August 26, 2011
Collaboration and strategic alliances/partnerships are both the future and the present for many public parks and recreation departments.
Park Accessibility: Limited Resources, Unlimited Imagination
By Maureen Hannan | Posted on August 19, 2011
NRPA recently gathered a panel of accessibility experts from many fields for a roundtable on access to parks.
Major General
By Elizabeth Beard | Posted on August 10, 2011
What parks and recreation academic programs may need to compete is that cool factor that journalism or parks and recreation used to have.
The Right Kind of Connections
By Phil Hayward | Posted on August 3, 2011
Greenways tend to offer a wide range of uses—walking, running, biking, and certainly the preservation of natural spaces.
PRORAGIS Epiphany
By Maureen Hannan | Posted on July 29, 2011
PRORAGIS will evolve as park departments from all over the country enter their own important pieces of the database.
Support Your Local Rock Star
By Elizabeth Beard | Posted on July 22, 2011
While many celebrities will come out and advocate for their local parks, few of them will step forward for parks and recreation as a national cause.
Five Things I Now Know about Obesity in America
By Maureen Hannan | Posted on July 20, 2011
A feeding program is being combined with education about overall wellness.
Planting Seeds of Appreciation
By Phil Hayward | Posted on July 12, 2011
NRPA urges the creation of a Conservation Construction Corps--a national employment program to put Americans back to work and revitalize local, state, and national parks in the United States.
Seasons of Hunger: 50 Days
By Maureen Hannan | Posted on June 27, 2011
For decades, parks and rec agencies have been the single biggest provider of summertime free meals to children in low-income areas in the United States.
The Hottest Topic in Parks and Recreation
By Richard J. Dolesh | Posted on June 20, 2011
Developing long-term sustainable new revenue sources for parks and recreation is still a viable proposition. It takes a time to build partnerships, secure grants, and leverage private sector funds for new sources of revenue.
Shore Thing
By Elizabeth Beard | Posted on June 10, 2011
All of us need to be involved to effectively fight runoff, invasive species, and pollution--including air and noise pollution, which also affect aquatic life.
A Wide Open Playing Field
By Elizabeth Beard | Posted on May 31, 2011
Mattie Stepanek Park has it all—sports fields, dog park, memorial garden, playground, and lots of wide open green space.
Telling the Story of Selena Butler Park, Part 2
By Maureen Hannan | Posted on May 24, 2011
Helene Mills embraced the initiative to rebuild Selena Butler Park not because she sees her calling as that of park advocate. She is championing the effort because that neighborhood park is just one of many pieces in the rich patchwork that makes up the community she loves.
Warning: This Video May Make You Cry
By Elizabeth Beard | Posted on May 23, 2011
Parks and Recreation and the Miracle League.
Parks for the Young at Heart
By Phil Hayward | Posted on May 18, 2011
Study after study shows how parks keep the young fit and healthy and older generations fit, healthier, and younger than their non-indulging counterparts.
Build it and They Will Come
By Phil Hayward | Posted on May 11, 2011
The Parks Build Community initiative is based on the principle that good parks create a level playing field for all community members.
Telling the Story of Selena Butler Park
By Maureen Hannan | Posted on May 6, 2011
Selena Butler Park, one of NRPA’s Parks Build Community projects, is an example of an urban revitalization partnership.
A Place at the Table
By Phil Hayward | Posted on May 3, 2011
Teams of planners in the fields of transportation, the environment, architecture, health, education and parks are making great strides in developing livable communities.
Funding by Other Means
By Maureen Hannan | Posted on April 29, 2011
Budget shortfalls causing park closures and cutbacks in services and programs around the country.
Private Routes to Public Good
By Phil Hayward | Posted on April 29, 2011
Businesses that partner with parks usually aim to blend corporate branding and promotion with philanthropy.
Nothing But the Facts
By Maureen Hannan | Posted on March 25, 2011
When kids are getting outside a lot for their recreation, there is usually an adult (or group of adults) helping to make sure that happens.
Toward a New Order
By Phil Hayward | Posted on March 24, 2011
Two examples of what may be the new order of how things will be done in parks and recreation. It’s hard to recognize much of this innovation as it forms around us.
Budding Friendship
By Elizabeth Beard | Posted on March 15, 2011
In 1912 when the Japanese sent a gift of over 3,000 cherry trees, which were planted on national park land around the Tidal Basin. Similar gifts brought cherry trees to New York, Philadelphia, and other U.S. cities.
The Skate Park Lady
By Maureen Hannan | Posted on February 25, 2011
Stephanie Murdock shares her efforts to build a skate park in the city of Baltimore, reflecting both her love of her sport and her commitment to the city's teens.