Engagement with Parks Report: Looking Back to See the Future
By Austin Barrett | Posted on December 2, 2021
To glimpse the future, it’s often helpful to look back to the past. So, to understand where we — park and recreation professionals — fit, let’s take a brief stroll through our recent history.
How Unlikely Hikers Is Creating Community and Belonging Outside — Episode 103
By Cort Jones | Posted on November 23, 2021
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, we’re chatting with Jenny Bruso, founder of Unlikely Hikers, which is a diverse, anti-racist, body-liberating outdoor community featuring the underrepresented outdoorsperson.
Understanding Homelessness: The Extent, Causes and Local Solutions
By Austin Barrett and Allison Colman | Posted on November 12, 2021
Given the unique role that public parks play, it is important that park and recreation professionals understand the extent of homelessness, its root causes, how they can approach the issue with empathy and be a contributor to local solutions.
2021 NRPA Engagement With Parks Report Shows Support for Parks and Recreation Is Universal
By Kevin Roth | Posted on November 11, 2021
In its six years of publication, the NRPA Engagement With Parks Report has demonstrated that people in nearly every city, town and county across the U.S. place a high value on the programs and services that park and recreation professionals deliver to their local communities.
Youth Sports Program Planning
By Jason Schaitz, MBA, CPRE | Posted on November 10, 2021
Youth sports planning can come in many forms and most all plans are open and customizable to how your agency operates. Here are some tips on different plans you should have in place within your youth sports programs.
Breaking Down the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
By Kyle Simpson | Posted on November 9, 2021
On Friday, November 5, Congress passed a historic investment in our nation's infrastructure via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These are some of the provisions that may be of interest to NRPA members.
Inspiring Others to Experience the Fullness of Their Humanity — Episode 102
By Cort Jones | Posted on November 9, 2021
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, we're celebrating the #HikeYourTurf campaign with Merrell ambassador Mirna Valerio, a.k.a "The Mirnavator." Tune in as she discusses her passion for running and the outdoors, as well as what compelled her to begin sharing her story through her blog, Fatgirlrunning.
It’s Time to Hike Your Turf!
By Cassie Pais and Lauren King | Posted on November 8, 2021
This November, NRPA is thrilled to once again partner with Merrell for the second annual Hike Your Turf campaign. All month long, NRPA and Merrell are working together to encourage folks to redefine “hiking” and “the great outdoors” by simply getting outside in their local community.
Third Annual Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz Reaches 3,000 People in 25 States
By Michele White, CAE, IOM | Posted on November 2, 2021
Our profession faced a new normal during the past year and a half and programs like the Parks for Pollinator BioBlitz proved extremely helpful in getting our communities outside to experience nature safely.
Diving Deeper Into NRPA’s 2021 Engagement With Parks Report
By Melissa May | Posted on October 28, 2021
Each year, NRPA conducts an annual survey of 1,000 U.S. adults focusing on the general public’s interaction with and opinions of parks and recreation, resulting in the Engagement With Parks Report. This is the first in a blog series exploring the results of the 2021 Engagement With Parks Report.
Coffee Talk Replay: Continuing to Center Equity in All We Do — Episode 101
By Cort Jones | Posted on October 26, 2021
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, we're replaying one of our Coffee Talks from the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference with NRPA Vice President of Education and Chief Equity Officer Autumn Saxton-Ross.
Building Better Communities: Centering Equity in Water-Based Play Spaces
By Lyndsey Younger and Kathy McKenna | Posted on October 19, 2021
Two splash pad projects in Huntington, West Virginia, and Alton, Illinois, focus not only on providing a water play experience integrated with environmental stewardship educational components, but also on ensuring these spaces are inclusive for all members of the community regardless of ability.
American Rescue Plan Funds Now Flowing Into States and Local Communities
By NRPA Public Policy and Advocacy Team | Posted on October 15, 2021
Learn the latest on how the American Rescue Plan funds are being used and how to access them to maximize social and economic recovery in your community.
Park Access: More Than Just Proximity
By Clement Lau, AICP, DPPD | Posted on October 14, 2021
Park access is not just about reducing travel distance to a park; it is a much more complex and multi-faceted issue that requires a variety of creative solutions.
Coffee Talk Replay: Out-of-School Time Programs: Essential for Health and Well-Being — Episode 100
By Cort Jones | Posted on October 12, 2021
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, we're replaying one of the Coffee Talks from the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference, featuring Brodrick Clarke, vice president of programs at National Summer Learning Association; Daniel Hatcher, director of community partnerships at Alliance for a Healthier Generation; and Allison Colman, NRPA director of health.
On a Mission to End Playspace Inequity for Good — Episode 099
By Cort Jones | Posted on September 28, 2021
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, we’re joined by Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!, an organization that unites with communities to build kid-designed playspaces that can spark joy and foster a sense of belonging for the kids who are often denied opportunities to thrive.
NRPA Unveils Fresh, New Logo at the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference
By Catrina Belt and Cort Jones | Posted on September 21, 2021
We are proud to share the results of NRPA’s latest rebranding process and share our fresh, new logo with you, as well as give you a quick overview of the evolution of the NRPA logo.
Take Action to Support the LGBTQIA+ Community During the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference
By Autumn Saxton-Ross | Posted on September 15, 2021
This year, at the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference, in support of our families, friends and colleagues, here are a few actions you can take to support the LGBTQIA+ community and LGBTQIA+ rights.