The many issues that come into play at the local, state, and national levels in parks and recreation create significant opportunities for media coverage.
This section provides detailed information for media and communication professionals about upcoming events (see our online press kit), press releases for the past year, and select press coverage on NRPA and the parks and recreation community.
Park and Recreation Month 2011
Since 1985, Americans have celebrated national Park and Recreation Month during the month of July to promote the importance of parks and recreation in the U.S. This year’s theme is “Rock Your Park!” NRPA and its grassroots initiative, America’s Backyard, are promoting several great national initiatives, including a Five in July Park Pledge, a national "Rock Your Park" Flash Mob contest, and NRPA's 2011 July social media project.
Learn more at NRPA's 2011 Park and Recreation Month website.
July is Park and Recreation Month National Press Release
Fast Facts about Park and Recreation Month 2011
Parks Build Community 2011
NRPA, with its grassroots initiative America’s Backyard and the City of Atlanta, and with contributions from PlayCore, Converse, the Health Education and Community Center of Atlanta (HECCA), and Superior International Industries, reconstructed and renovated Selena Butler Park through NRPA’s 2011 Parks Build Community project.
Read about the groundbreaking that took place on June 8!
Atlanta Neighborhood Overwhelmed with Support for Local Park Revival
Past press releases on the park revitalization:
National Non-profit Breaks Ground on Butler Park Revitalization
DC Success of Park Revitalization Initiative Inspires Duplication in Atlanta
Plans Underway for Revitalization of Historic Selena Butler Park
Parks Build Community was covered in the June 5, 2011, issue of USA Today. Access the article online here.
You can also learn more about the project on the Parks Build Community web page!
The page includes some great photos and speech clips from Congressman John Lewis!
NRPA/NASPD Call for New Conservation Corps
In early July, NRPA and the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) issued a letter to every member of Congress proposing 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 U.S.
Real Jobs for Americans Letter to Congress (Senate Version)
Real Jobs for Americans Press Release
CAPRA: A Standard of Excellence
Since 1989, NRPA's Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) has recognized departments in the U.S. for excellence in operations.
Download and read our latest newsletter article (free to share and publish), "CAPRA Accreditation: A Standard of Excellence for Parks and Recreation."
To download high-resolution photos (provided by Henderson, Nev., Parks and Recreation, a three time CAPRA-accredited agency), right click on the links below, and choose "save target as." Note that the files are quite large--the download process may take a couple minutes.
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Recent Press Releases
To view all of NRPA's media releases over the past year, click here.
NRPA Social Media
Connect with NRPA!
NRPA Connect: Join the conversation at www.nrpaconnect.org!
NRPA Facebook page: Like us Now!
America's Backyard Facebook page: Like us Now!
Follow NRPA on Twitter: @NRPA_news.
Follow America's Backyard on Twitter @Our_Backyard.
NRPA's Youtube Channel
America's Backyard YouTube Channel—Coming Soon!
Contact Information
Please direct all media-related questions and inquiries to:
Lauren Hoffmann
703.858.2151
lhoffmann@nrpa.org