The Department of Justice (DOJ), late on May 17, released an important announcement regarding access to new swimming facilities, and access to existing swimming facilities. It has not yet been published in the Federal Register, but the DOJ is announcing an extension regarding EXISTING pools and the access requirements until January 31, 2013.  Read more

On Tuesday May 15, NRPA assembled a group of 28 park and recreation agencies from around the nation – grantees of its 2012 Serving Communities program – to address children’s hunger and obesity, and how they are combating both through summer meal programs. Read more

NRPA’s Health and Wellness Advisory Panel, made up of 10 park professionals and researchers, recently attended the CDC Weight of the Nation Conference in Washington, D.C. A message heard throughout the conference was that local park and recreation agencies are critical in helping solve the obesity epidemic, making positive impacts in communities Read more

John McGovern, J.D., of Recreation Accessibility Consultants (RAC) provides perspective on the ADA Requirements for Existing Title II Swimming Facilities. NRPA and RAC collaborated on an open letter that outlines how park and recreation agencies can make existing swimming facilities accessible.  Read more

A big part about being a kid is going to the playground at your local park. Getting outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and being active can do wonders for a child and not to mention enables them to burn off Read more

Daniel A. Biederman, president of Biederman Redevelopment Ventures, is well known for his work as a transformer of urban parks. While he is most famous for revitalizing Manhattan’s Bryant Park in the 1990s (primarily through corporate sponsorships), he has also Read more

With the coming observance of Earth Day on April 22, this week you may want to take some time to think and reflect on the role of parks and recreation in conservation and sustainability. Perhaps you’ll take this as an opportunity to set some conservation goals for yourself and your agency. Read more

A growing number of physicians and pediatricians are looking to parks as natural partners in the fight against chronic disease and obesity.These physicians are recognizing the exceptional health benefits of using parks and trails to improve one’s health. Read more

Many of us view conservation as the collection of recycling and energy saving habits that good citizens of the planet try to practice in their daily lives. Carpooling. Reminding a guest to toss that Coke can in the recycling compartment. Read more

Today’s blog is a guest post from Kathy Capps, Grants and Risk Manager, City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department in North Carolina. Kathy is a Young Professional and attended her FIRST Legislative Forum. If you have never been to Legislative Forum or you are a veteran attendee, Kathy’s take on the experience is a great reminder why it is important to attend. Read on, comment and share! Read more