Diving Deeper Into the 2020 Park and Rec Trends — January Bonus Episode
By Cort Jones and Roxanne Sutton | Posted on December 26, 2019
To kick off our monthly bonus episodes of Open Space Radio, we're chatting with Rich Dolesh, NRPA's Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and author of "Top Trends in Parks and Recreation 2020" - the highly anticipated article in the January issue of Parks & Recreation magazine.
Partnering to Deliver Education in Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
By Mercedes Santoro and Clement Lau | Posted on December 23, 2019
In the summer of 2019, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation partnered with the Natural History Museum of L.A. County, as well as the Department of Beaches and Harbors and the Department of Public Works, to offer ESTEAM camps at 17 county parks, serving over 900 children.
Substance Use in Parks and Recreation: We Can’t Do Nothing
By Allison Colman | Posted on December 5, 2019
With so many factors shaping this crisis, a multi-faceted approach is needed to address it, including a comprehensive approach from local government and community-based institutions, like parks and recreation.
What Is Your Park and Recreation Life Hack? — Episode 054
By Cort Jones and Roxanne Sutton | Posted on December 3, 2019
On this episode of Open Space Radio, we chat with attendees at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference to learn their park and recreation life hacks — the tips and techniques that help get them through their day-to-day work.
A Message to First-Time Speakers
By Attiyya Atkins | Posted on November 22, 2019
From never speaking in public to believing they can change the world, this first-time presenter shares their experience speaking at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference and why you should submit a proposal to speak in 2020 in Orlando!
Creating Sustainability in Your Park and Rec Programs
By Maureen Acquino | Posted on November 21, 2019
Using these tips is the perfect way to help your program stay strong after a particular funding opportunity has ended.
Facilitate, Collaborate and Listen at the 2020 #NRPAConference
By Daniel W. Hatcher, MPH | Posted on November 20, 2019
The deadline to submit an education session proposal for the 2020 NRPA Annual Conference is coming up and it’s easy to get caught up in self-doubt. Here are some tips for if you're wondering what you’d present or letting the fear of public speaking hold you back.
Animated Videos Explore Key Components of Park Improvement Projects
By Jennifer Fulcher-Nguyen | Posted on November 20, 2019
These animated videos provide helpful hints for creating successful plans, developing partnerships, ensuring funding, engaging the community, incorporating the right components for your community and sharing the meaningful stories about your park improvement project.
Serving Our Nation's Capital: A Chat with DCDPR's Delano Hunter — Episode 053
By Cort Jones and Roxanne Sutton | Posted on November 19, 2019
On this episode of Open Space Radio, we sit down with Delano Hunter, director of D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, to find out about the innovative programs and partnerships that are helping them better serve all members of the D.C. community.
Highlighting the "Power of Rural"
By Maureen Acquino | Posted on November 13, 2019
National Rural Health Day is Thursday, November 21 — a day to highlight the “Power of Rural,” showcasing the unique assets and needs of rural communities.
Training the Field to Implement Green Infrastructure
By Cort Jones | Posted on November 1, 2019
Determining how to implement and maintain a green infrastructure project in your park may seem a little daunting, but with the right network, resources and education, anything is possible.
Setting the Stage for Healthy Communities
By Jennifer Fulcher-Nguyen | Posted on October 31, 2019
Over the summer, NRPA visited three agencies to see how they are using transportation, farmers markets and intergenerational programming to improve access to healthy food.
NRPA Hosts Parks, Green Infrastructure and Health Workshop
By Jenny Cox | Posted on October 29, 2019
NRPA and Williamette Partnership recently hosted a gathering in Washington, D.C., that brought green infrastructure, health, and equity professionals together to help advance green infrastructure in parks.
5 Secrets for Submitting a Successful Session Proposal
By Josh Yavelberg | Posted on October 28, 2019
NRPA is now accepting proposals for the 2020 NRPA Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, October 27-29, 2020. Here are five secrets for submitting a successful education session proposal.
Know Where You Are to Determine Where You Should Go
By Melissa May | Posted on October 15, 2019
The benchmarking data found within NRPA Park Metrics helps assist your agency in determining how its budget, personnel, activities, facilities, policies and more currently compare to agencies across the nation.
NRPA’s Community Engagement Training: Delving Into Equity and Inclusion
By Jennifer Fulcher-Nguyen | Posted on October 10, 2019
On September 23, before the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference officially began, 36 professionals took part in a lively, engaging discussion on community engagement, inclusion and equity.
Ultra-Runners Join Monarch Butterflies on Their 2600 Mile Migration South to Mexico
By Richard J. Dolesh | Posted on October 10, 2019
Running the southern migration route of monarchs from Canada to southern Mexico is an attempt to bring international attention to the plight of the monarch butterfly, a species whose Eastern population has crashed more than 90 percent in the past 20 years.
Welcome to Baltimore! — Episode 049
By Cort Jones and Roxanne Sutton | Posted on September 20, 2019
Tune in on your way to Baltimore for the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference to hear valuable insider tips on making the most of your time at conference, things that are new to the conference this year and the events that you won’t want to miss!
Digital Marketing: It’s All About the Data — Episode 048
By Cort Jones | Posted on September 10, 2019
Digital marketing can be a useful tool for park and recreation agencies that want to promote their programs, special events and other offerings to a broader audience, but it can be a little overwhelming if you don't know where to start.
Dogs’ Deaths Prompt Concern Over Toxic Algae Found in Public Recreation Ponds and Lakes
By Richard J. Dolesh | Posted on September 3, 2019
Tragic deaths of beloved dogs from suspected poisoning from blue-green algae have occurred recently in public recreational lakes and ponds in North Carolina, Texas and Georgia.
Programming for the Young and Young-at-Heart — Episode 047
By Roxanne Sutton | Posted on August 29, 2019
Today, we’re looking at intergenerational programming – what it is, how it’s working in the field and how it’s impacting those who participate in the programs.
Summer Fresh Foods: Make Healthy Food Fun and Easy to Eat
By Jennifer Fulcher-Nguyen | Posted on August 28, 2019
We make enjoying healthy, summer-fresh foods easier with our Summer Fresh Foods resources.
Conservation Sessions at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference
By Michele White, CAE, IOM | Posted on August 27, 2019
To help you plan for the upcoming NRPA Annual Conference, here are some of our “must see” conservation sessions that are sure to inspire ideas you can take back home with you.
One Kid Helping Other Kids
By Cole Momcilovich | Posted on August 14, 2019
During the summer months and after school, over 15 million students across the country go hungry because they do not have access to nutritious meals. Cole Momcilovich created a mobile app to help.
eSports at the Rec Center? — Episode 046
By Roxanne Sutton and Cort Jones | Posted on August 12, 2019
eSports, or video game competitions, isn’t new, but it is a growing trend. So much so that eSports is starting to make a space for itself in the world of parks and recreation.
Addressing Equitable Park Access One Session at a Time
By Rachel Banner | Posted on August 8, 2019
We've picked a few equitable park access sessions that you won't want to miss at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference.
Health and Wellness Sessions at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference
By Cassie Pais | Posted on August 8, 2019
These health and wellness education sessions at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore will leave you eager to make advancements back home.
Marketing Recipe for Success #Nailedit
By Katy Keller | Posted on August 7, 2019
Whether you're part of a marketing team or marketing is simply one of the many hats that you wear, you'll be able to get the latest marketing strategies in the Marketing Certificate Program pre-conference workshop.
Self-Care at #NRPAConference: Five Practices
By Daniel W. Hatcher, MPH | Posted on July 22, 2019
It’s easy to get caught up in meetings, workshops and afterhours fun at a conference, not to mention trying to keep work running smoothly back home. Here are five self-care tips for the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
El Cajon Plans Pocket Parks to Help ‘Underparked’ Areas
By Frank Carson | Posted on July 19, 2019
With a five percent increase in population in the past decade, the city of El Cajon, California, has become very diverse in a short period of time and residents are clamoring for more outdoor opportunities.
Libraries and Parks and Recreation Come Together to Tackle Food Insecurity
By Noah Lenstra | Posted on July 17, 2019
The new national toolkit released by the Collaborative Summer Library Program encourages libraries to become summer meal sites or partner with existing sites, such as park and recreation agencies.
Reaching the Summit at the NRPA Annual Conference
By Lindsay Labas, CPRP | Posted on July 9, 2019
You know that feeling you get when you summit a mountain after a long hike? That's the feeling Lindsay Labas gets at the NRPA Annual Conference.
Supreme Court Decides in Favor of Historic Cross on Park Property
By Richard J. Dolesh | Posted on July 8, 2019
In a recent landmark decision, the Supreme Court issued a highly anticipated ruling in the case of a large Latin cross, “Peace Cross,” located on park property in Bladensburg, Maryland.
Adverse Childhood Experiences
By Lauren Kiefert | Posted on July 2, 2019
Out-of-School Time programs provide a variety of protective factors that lower a child’s chance of experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences.
Chanute Recreation Commission Serves as Resilient Partner in Wake of Flooding
By Julie Aikens | Posted on June 25, 2019
Chanute Recreation Commission used its Increasing Access to Healthy Meals at Parks grant to create a space to serve as a community feeding center and shelter in the case of a community crisis or natural disaster.
Cal Ripken, Jr. – An Inspirational Iron Man
By Matt Brubaker | Posted on June 17, 2019
There will be hundreds of captivating speakers at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, but only one is a baseball legend.
Answering Your Marketing and Communications Questions (And Whether or Not YOU Should Have a Podcast) — Episode 039
By Roxanne Sutton and Cort Jones | Posted on May 20, 2019
We're taking a deeper dive into some of the questions we received during a recent webinar alongside our friend, colleague and NRPA’s Senior Manager of Public Relations, Heather Williams.
7 Ways to Celebrate Earth Month at Your Local Park
By Roxanne Sutton | Posted on April 7, 2019
Trees are blooming, people are sneezing — spring is in the air and April is here! As we thaw out from the winter months, its easy to see why April is the perfect time to celebrate Earth.
More Than a Meal
By Erika Tang | Posted on March 26, 2019
Lewisville Parks and Recreation in Texas is helping older adults age well and supports NRPA’s Healthy Aging in Parks Initiative in efforts to improve and maintain the health and wellness of older adults through parks and recreation.
The Community Concourse: Parks Serve as “Third Places” in NYC Neighborhoods
By Stephanie Cristino | Posted on February 22, 2019
Coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, the term “third place” refers to places where people spend time between home (first place) and work or school (second place).
Predictions for Parks and Recreation’s Top Trends in 2019
By Richard J. Dolesh | Posted on January 16, 2019
One part good research, one part taking the pulse of NRPA members, one part blue-sky thinking, the Top Trends in Parks and Recreation for 2019 are here.
Saving the World One Park at a Time
By Stacie Anaya | Posted on January 15, 2019
In 2018, Lewisville Parks & Recreation Department (Texas) was one of 12 recipients of the 10-Minute Walk Technical Assistance and Planning Grant, and they're moving full-steam ahead into 2019.
Park Development Means Economic Development — Episode 031
By Roxanne Sutton and Cort Jones | Posted on January 7, 2019
In this episode of Open Space Radio, we chat with Ed McMahon, the senior resident fellow at the Urban Land Institute, about the importance of placemaking and why developers should invest in parks and open space.