NRPA’s Inaugural Parks Snapshot: How Parks and Recreation Is Confronting COVID-19
By Kevin Roth | Posted on March 27, 2020
NRPA recently conducted its inaugural Parks Snapshot survey to learn how park and recreation leaders from across the country are confronting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Protecting Child Health and Wellbeing During COVID-19
By Allison Colman | Posted on March 26, 2020
As families and communities around the world experience added stress attributed to the crisis, there are some practical steps that park and recreation professionals and parents and caregivers can take to protect children, monitor child health, maintain routines and minimize the mental health impacts.
What Does #PhysicalDistancingInParks Look Like?
By Rachel Banner | Posted on March 26, 2020
As we learn to navigate these uncertain times, we've compiled photos that help show what healthy physical distancing in parks looks like.
How Parks Can Ensure Fireflies Continue to Shine Bright — April Bonus Episode
By Cort Jones and Roxanne Sutton | Posted on March 26, 2020
The April issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on this bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving deeper into the feature article, “Can Parks Help Save Fireflies?”
Resources to Engage Families Through Wellness and Nature
By Daniel W. Hatcher | Posted on March 25, 2020
Here are a few simple, inclusive and intergenerational resources from Alliance for a Healthier Generation, designed to keep your communities growing and thriving.
Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Park and Recreation Sites That Operate USDA Child Nutrition Programs
By Maureen Acquino | Posted on March 25, 2020
As park and recreation professionals continue to play a huge role in providing healthy meals to children in communities across the country, we encourage you to review the latest information to ensure you have what you need to continue to support community-wide health.
Tips From NRPA’s Conservation Team During the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Karl Schrass | Posted on March 25, 2020
NRPA’s conservation team has put together a list of resources to help you and your family learn, appreciate and find comfort in your local community of living things during this uncertain time.
The Importance of Mentoring in Parks and Recreation — Episode 062
By Cort Jones and Roxanne Sutton | Posted on March 24, 2020
On this episode of Open Space Radio, we discuss how park and recreation professionals are serving as mentors and the one caring adult for children who experience adversity and trauma in their households or community.
Something Positive Amid the Chaos
By Allison Colman | Posted on March 23, 2020
These are the three things that stick out to Allison Colman, NRPA's Director of Health, as unintended benefits that the COVID-19 outbreak may have brought our way.
Access to Parks and the Outdoors is Crucial for Mental Health in Our Communities
By Teresa L. Penbrooke, PhD, CPRE | Posted on March 20, 2020
Research over the years has shown that when people are more stressed, anxious and socially isolated, as we are right now due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, having access to parks, trails and natural areas becomes even more important.
This Is Going to Leave a Mark
By Tim Herd, CPRE | Posted on March 19, 2020
With the disruptive shift in our society from the COVID-19 pandemic comes a series of thought-provoking considerations to re-establishing our community values and our professional accountability.
Park and Recreation Agencies Step Up to Provide Meals During COVID-19 Pandemic
By Maureen Acquino | Posted on March 19, 2020
As schools close across the country, it’s become glaringly apparent just how many kids rely on schools to serve them healthy, fresh meals daily. Without access to school meals, what happens to those kids?
Keeping a Safe Physical Distance in Parks and on Trails During the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Richard J. Dolesh and Allison Colman | Posted on March 16, 2020
If areas of parks and trails are allowed to remain open and public use is not restricted by other governmental direction during the COVID-19 outbreak, NRPA offers guidance on several issues that may arise as a result of continuing public use of parks and trails.
COVID-19 and Older Adults: Assisting Our Most Vulnerable Population
By Lesha Spencer-Brown, MPH, CPH | Posted on March 16, 2020
Although your facilities may already be closed or will close soon due to the COVID-19 outbreak, you can still support the older adult population in your community by calming their concerns and fears and letting them know ways they can remain healthy during this time.
FEMA Emergency Declaration: Public Assistance for COVID-19 Financial Impacts
By Cort Jones | Posted on March 16, 2020
Many park and recreation agencies are heeding the CDC's guidance during the COVID-19 outbreak and canceling or postponing events and activities for at least the next couple of weeks. This leads to a question many agencies are facing: What will the financial implications be on parks and recreation budgets?
Urban Park and Recreation Leaders Discuss Rapidly Evolving Impacts of the Coronavirus Pandemic
By Richard J. Dolesh | Posted on March 13, 2020
NRPA recently convened a group of urban park and recreation directors to discuss how the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is affecting their cities, and how each of their lessons-learned so far could help inform each other and other park and recreation professionals to prepare and take action when needed.
COVID-19 Guidance for Park and Recreation Sites That Operate USDA Child Nutrition Programs
By Allison Colman | Posted on March 12, 2020
As we hear about more and more schools closing across the country due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there are many ways park and recreation agencies and their partners can help to mitigate the impact on families that rely on school meals.
COVID-19 in Parks and Recreation: Supporting Community Health and Wellbeing During an Outbreak
By NRPA's Health and Wellness Team | Posted on March 12, 2020
NRPA’s health and wellness team has compiled a list of health tips that park and recreation professionals can share with their communities to keep people moving, eating healthy, focusing on mental health and wellbeing, getting enough sleep and boosting immunity during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
Breaking Down the Stigma of Substance Use
By Lauren Kiefert | Posted on March 11, 2020
One vital way in which park and recreation professionals can respond to the rising rates of substance use disorder and mental health conditions is by focusing on breaking down the stigma around them.
How Park and Recreation Leaders are Addressing Coronavirus — Episode 61
By Cort Jones and Roxanne Sutton | Posted on March 10, 2020
On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we’re joined by three park and recreation leaders from across the country who are actively addressing issues related to the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
My Journey to Becoming a CPRE
By Nicole Ginger, MAEA, CPRE | Posted on March 9, 2020
As someone who has been teaching the Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) prep course since 2009, Nicole Ginger's journey to becoming a Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) came as a surprise - even to her.
Calling All Pollinator Lovers: Host a BioBlitz This September
By Michele White, CAE, IOM | Posted on March 6, 2020
By hosting a Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz, you can help promote pollinator awareness and engage your local community in a pollinator-focused activity.
Coronavirus: What Impact Will COVID-19 Have on Parks and Recreation?
By Richard J. Dolesh and Allison Colman | Posted on March 4, 2020
Park and recreation professionals are seeking answers to key questions as they move into a response and prevention mode in the coming days and weeks, especially in communities that are starting to document confirmed cases of COVID-19.