Features

Urban Music Festivals, Considered

Examining the outdoor music festival and its role as the bellwether of public security in parks.

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The 10-Minute Walk Campaign

A Conversation with TPL President and CEO Will Rogers.

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Open Streets ICT Brings Wichitans Together!

Open Streets, a movement that is prevalent in cities across the United States, is a free community-building event that calls for closing a street to traffic and opening it for biking, walking, running, dancing, arts, culture-related activities and more!

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Additional Articles

Protect People, Wildlife, Places and Values, Stop the Border Wall

The U.S.-Mexico border wall threatens marginalized communities and endangered species, and embodies hate and divisiveness.

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Reflections on a Historic 2017

I am looking forward to 2018 and to working with you to strengthen our knowledge and capacity to ensure parks and recreation is recognized for the significant role it plays in our cities and communities across this country.

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The 2017 Year in Research

A look back at the past year's Park Pulse findings.

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Americans Turn to Parks and Recreation When Advised to Increase Physical Activity

In this month’s Park Pulse poll, we ask Americans where they’d turn to when advised to be more physically active by a doctor or other healthcare provider.

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The 'Wow' Factor

Lake County Forest Preserve at Fort Sheridan is a magical place, just a short drive north of Chicago.

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How to Build a Culture of Guest Service Excellence

There will always be a newer park, a swankier facility, a cooler event or a cheaper program, but there will never be a replacement for a positive and memorable customer experience.

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2018 Annual Conference Speed Session Proposals

Starting February 26, 2018, we will be collecting speed session proposals for the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana!

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Member Spotlight: Calandra Barnes

Calandra Barnes has been the special events coordinator for Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department in North Carolina for 11 years.

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Choosing the Right Insurance for Your Sports Program

Preparing for any sports program or activity comes with a long to-do list, and purchasing insurance can sometimes fall off the radar.

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NRPA Connect Hot Topics

Check out some of the hottest topics on NRPA Connect this month!

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NRPA's New Conservation Resource Guide Now Available

NRPA is pleased to announce the release of A Resource Guide for Planning, Designing and Implementing Green Infrastructure in Parks.

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NRPA's Jayni Rasmussen Receives Professional Women in Advocacy Award

Jayni, NRPA’s advocacy and outreach manager, was recently awarded the Professional Women in Advocacy Award for Excellence in Advocacy by an Up and Coming Advocate.

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Family Volunteer Day Participants Help Spruce Up Local Parks

This year, a few NRPA Meet Me at the Park healthy living grantees decided to use Family Volunteer Day to get families in their communities involved in their Meet Me at the Park projects.

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Thinking Strategically About Your Agency's Recreation Programming

Tips on creating a comprehensive programming performance evaluation.

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Adverse Possession Claims in Parkland

In many instances, the boundaries between public parkland and surrounding private property are not clearly delineated.

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The Culture of Health

Creative placemaking in parks for healthy communities.

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You Are Awesome - NRPA Can Help You Stay That Way

You work crazy hours and handle crazy situations. Here’s how NRPA can help you prepare to handle those challenges.

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A Time for Celebration

It’s the time of the year when communities around the world are in a festive, celebratory mood. From decked out neighborhoods and city streets, to parks aglow with holiday lights, there are plenty of opportunities for people to come together to ring out the old and ring in the new year.

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Zero-Waste Events

Making a big splash with a small footprint. There are straightforward steps planners and hosts can take to move toward a zero-waste event.

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First Day Hikes: A Natural Way to Start the New Year

This year, on January 1, record numbers of “First Day Hikers” are expected to flock to parks around the country.

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Spotlight on STEM

How NRPA Envisions a STEM approach to our Three Pillars - Health and Wellness, Conservation, and Social Equity.

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Parks & Recreation Crossword

Test your park and recreation knowledge and download NRPA's monthly crossword puzzle!

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Bixby Park Trail

Greenfields’ Trail Package 1 was carefully designed not only to enhance the fitness benefits of trails, but also to promote socialization within diverse communities.

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The Center for Outreach, Research and Education

Playcore's mission and purpose is building communities through play and recreation.

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Hardwood Floor Care

Built to be beautiful and durable, hardwood gym floors are often the central gathering point for many facilities.

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The Hustler® Maximum Duty Vehicle™

Designed for work applications, the new Maximum Duty Vehicle (MDV) from Hustler Turf Equipment features LeveLift™, a patented, labor-saving cargo box.

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Leaving a Memorable Impression

Twenty years ago, Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore, authors of The Experience Economy, taught us the importance of “staging experiences to leave a memorable — and lucrative — impression” for customers.

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O’Fallon Family Sports Park Scores Big

Turning O’Fallon into a competition destination means more people coming to the area and increased spending at area hotels and restaurants.

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Play Creates a Whole Child

In a poll conducted by Landscape Structures Inc., more than half of parents responded that they think children today have fewer opportunities for play than children 20 years ago

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Stunning Shade Systems Canopies Highlight New Waterfront Park

Shade Systems is proud to have provided the shade structures at Sullivan Park for the city of Deerfield Beach, Florida.

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The Sense Tour

A plant education program for memory care patients and the partially sighted.

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The Ultimate in Versatility

Any day. Any job. That’s the powerful approach to the Toolcat™ utility work machines from Bobcat.

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