In the April issue of Parks & Recreation, we ran a feature on preparing park and recreation agencies for human threats. Danielle Taylor, associate editor explains that this article had been in the works for several months and was originally focused solely on active-shooter situations, but just before the issue went to print, the bombings at the Boston Marathon occurred. In the wake of this tragedy at an event coordinated in part by a major parks and recreation department, she quickly rethought the article and broadened the focus to other sorts of incidents that can occur in parks. In this blog post, Danielle smartly points out that park and recreation professionals must prepare for everything in an ever-changing world and offers five resources that agencies can use to help formulate plans and be prepared.     Read more

Parks for Mitigation is an innovative pilot project begun by NRPA with Angler Environmental NRPA and Angler have been working together to develop a pilot project creating stream mitigation banks on public parklands in the MD, VA, and DC region that, if successful, will serve as a model for other park agencies across the country. Read more

We have all had that once-in-a-lifetime professional development experience that re-energized us, taught us new skills and introduced us to amazing colleagues. Cindi Wight, Recreation Director at Rutland Recreation and Parks Department in Vermont, shares how NRPA’s Directors School did just that for her.  Read more

In this month’s Parks & Recreation cover story, agency leaders discuss how their programs and facilities fit into NRPA’s three pillars—conservation, health and wellness, and social equity.  But above all, the pillars are a communications strategy, so how are these agencies communicating those priorities to the public and policymakers?  Managing Editor Elizabeth Beard takes a look at how three agencies are using the pillars messaging in three very different ways.  Read more

We’ve been bringing you lots of stories from NRPA members all across the country about Certification – from one agency in Iowa with 18 certifications under their roof, to a whole host of Certified Park and Recreation Executives telling it like it is about executive-level certification in parks and recreation. The stories just keep coming and this one written by Jason Tryon, CPRP, Operations Director/Athletic Coordinator at Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation in Charlotte, NC, touches on what pursing Certification is all about – a challenge to oneself.   Read more

Next up in the NRPA Young Professionals blog series, Aaron Feldman, Landscape Architect and Project Manager for Montgomery County Parks Department in Maryland and NRPA Young Professional Network member, offers personal perspective on taking advantage of leadership development programs for young professionals. These may be programs offered by your own agency or offered by NRPA. Aaron blogs on his personal experience with leadership training and says to those considering it, “why are you not in it?”   Read more

With Earth Week here we know many of you are celebrating with events and other activities that engage your community in conservation. This is phenomenal! You know, NRPA believes that core to the mission of public parks and recreation is the preservation of natural resources and the promotion of good conservation and stewardship practices – this is one of our “Three Pillars.” And this isn’t just during this week or just in April, we know you are taking the lead and making a difference in conservation all year long. But you know, sometimes you need a little conservation inspiration. Ideas to help get the "green" in you going. What better way than by giving you a glimpse of how one agency did something creative to lead a conservation initiative in their community this past year.  The following story comes from Mitchell Murdock, Natural Areas Manager of the Chicago Park District, Department of Natural Resources. Mitch shares how and why the Chicago Park District conducted a native "plant rescue" and also provides key ways to make an event like this a success. We hope this innovative idea helps sparks the spirit of conservation in you all year long. Read more

Second in the Professional Development blog and v-log series, Ron Strickler, CPRP, Recreation Supervisor in the Town of Ocean City, MD and Kayode Lewis, CPRP, Recreation Coordinator from Greenbelt Recreation, MD share what they personally gained from applying for and receiving the NRPA Fellowship and NRPA Diversity Scholarship in 2012. Watch the video to hear what they say their biggest takeaways are and why if you or someone you know is considering these opportunities it is time to go for it! Read more

The NRPA Young Professional Network is launching a series of blogs and video blogs (also known as vlogs or v-logs) to help shed some light on making the most of your career in parks and recreation especially for those in the early stages. In their first ever Professional Development Video Blog, young professional and Facility Manager at The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Atuya O. Cornwell interviews James Worsley, Ph.D., CPRE, Director, Columbus, GA Parks and Recreation on lessons learned from attending his first NRPA Congress as well as ways to get involved at the local and national level. If you are a young professional, or are new to the field, or hey, maybe you are a veteran and just want a refreshing take on professional development -- this vlog is for you!   Read more

PRORAGIS –NRPA’s user-driven park and recreation database and benchmarking tool—is helping park and rec pros use data to measure—measure their successes, check their weaknesses, and see how they compare to similar agencies. Last month, we chatted with the City of Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department to learn more about their PRORAGIS experience. Read on to find out why Chattanooga participated, what they see as the essential value of PRORAGIS, and how it has helped them have success.  Read more