Legacy Binders: Empowering Employees for Success
By Hannah Rathje | Posted on May 16, 2024
Hannah Rathje's recent transition into the community recreation supervisor position introduced her to a game-changing resource: the "Legacy Binder.”
Benefits of Older Adult Programming at Parks and Recreation
By Allie Ziegler | Posted on May 16, 2024
Learn more about NRPA's recently-released Supporting Older Adults Through Parks and Recreation report.
Benefits of Summer Jobs With Parks and Recreation
By Alexandra Ziegler | Posted on March 8, 2024
Working for local parks and recreation during the summer offers a unique and rewarding experience. Employees get the chance to contribute to the well-being of their community by organizing and participating in various outdoor activities and events. Summer positions in the field can offer significant advantages, including skill development, monetary benefits and certifications.
Recruiting Summer Talent at Parks and Recreation
By Alexandra Ziegler | Posted on March 7, 2024
With summer being the busiest time for parks and recreation, valuable programs can suffer without the addition of summer seasonal staff. From summer camps and sports leagues to outdoor events, parks and recreation is an essential avenue for fostering a vibrant and engaged community. In September 2023, the NRPA Research team sought to capture the experiences park and recreation agencies had in hiring their summer seasonal staff by conducting a survey completed by agency directors.
Facilitating Inclusion in Parks and Recreation: Part 3 — Implementing Support to Facilitate Inclusion
By Jennifer Ward | Posted on March 6, 2024
In part three of this blog series, we will discuss some common supports for facilitating inclusion in parks and recreation.
Federal Earmarks Process — How to Win Funding for Local Park Initiatives
By Kyle Simpson | Posted on March 5, 2024
Your NRPA Public Policy and Advocacy team is here to help you make sense of the new federal fiscal year appropriations process. Whether you submitted a request for funding last year or you’re reading about this opportunity for the first time, here’s all the information you’ll need to successfully submit a project request with your congressional representatives.
Leveling the Playing Field
By Michael Rosenkrantz | Posted on February 21, 2024
The executive director of SoCal Adaptive Sports shares why municipalities and local park and recreation professionals have the power to level the playing field, creating greater societal inclusion.
Five Practices for Culturally Responsive Programs
By Liliana Ruiz Fischer, MPH | Posted on February 14, 2024
NRPA has developed a new resource that offers five practices to support park and recreation professionals with centering community and culture that can be applied to any park and recreation program.
Facilitating Inclusion in Parks and Recreation: Part 2 — How to Facilitate Inclusion at an Organizational Level
By Jennifer Ward | Posted on February 9, 2024
In part two of our Inclusion in Parks and Recreation blog series, we explore how to facilitate inclusion at an organizational level by including self-advocates, creating an accessible environment, and implementing organizational and programmatic changes.
Planting a Sustainable Future at Trueheart Ranch Nature Park
By Austin Barrett and Miriam Lamoreaux | Posted on February 8, 2024
On November 2, 2023, a few dozen warm-hearted people gathered on an unseasonably cold morning, just south of San Antonio, Texas, to celebrate the future of Trueheart Ranch Nature Park as part of NRPA's partnership with Bobcat Company.
Strategies for Promoting Gender Equity in Youth Sports
By Nelson Musselman | Posted on February 7, 2024
Join us in celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day®, an annual celebration hosted by the Women’s Sport Foundation to celebrate all the girls and women who play, coach or work in sports.
SMS Connection: Using Text Outreach to Build Relationships
By Christina Marmor | Posted on February 6, 2024
Park and recreation agencies need to maintain relationships with community members to understand and meet their needs. Learn how text outreach can help.
NRPA Offers Strategies for Inclusive Instructor Recruitment in Park and Recreation Programs
By Natalia Ospina | Posted on February 5, 2024
NRPA’s Healthy Aging Team has developed a resource, “Representation Matters: Strategies to Diversify Instructor Recruitment,” with eight strategies agencies can use to diversify instructor recruitment.
3 Tips to Improve Your Agency's Supporter Communications
By Elissa K. Miller, M.Ed. | Posted on January 26, 2024
A solid communications strategy is vital for your park and recreation agency, zoo or nature center to engage the community. Get started with these three tips.
Program Vendors and Recreation Professionals: A Vital Partnership
By Nikki Taylor, CPRP | Posted on January 17, 2024
When working with vendors, Nikki Taylor, CPRP, has found that the key to a successful relationship is to actively engage in their programs and support them while they are working in your community and beyond.
A Personalized and Flexible Approach to Continuous Learning in 2024
By NRPA Professional Development Team | Posted on January 4, 2024
In 2024, park and recreation professionals can look forward to opportunities from NRPA to learn at their own pace and focus on areas most relevant to them.
Community Wellness Hub Thrives In Shawnee, Kansas
By Matt Mann | Posted on December 21, 2023
Matt Mann, the recreation manager for the City of Shawnee, Kansas, Parks & Recreation Department, peels back the curtain and give insight into what has made their Community Wellness Hub operate best.
Youth Sports Equity Grant: Year One Roundup
By Nelson Musselman | Posted on December 19, 2023
NRPA is excited to share impacts from the inaugural Youth Sports Equity Grant Program, which is part of a multiyear partnership with Musco Lighting designed to advance equitable access to youth sports in parks and recreation.