Networking Strategies for Advancing Your Career in Parks and Recreation
By Rachel Smith, MBA, CPRP | Posted on April 17, 2024
In the dynamic world of parks and recreation, building a robust network can be the key to unlocking exciting opportunities and advancing your career. Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned professional looking for further challenges, strategic networking is an essential tool for success.
The Growing Influence of Young Professionals in Parks and Recreation
By Colton Patak | Posted on March 20, 2024
It’s important for young professionals to share their insights and ideas because they bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the industry and statistics show that the number of young professionals in parks and recreation is increasing, with a growing number of individuals under the age of 35 joining the field.
NRPA Announces Million Coaches Challenge Grant to Champion Positive Youth Development
By Allison Colman and Teresa Morrissey | Posted on March 15, 2024
Through the Million Coaches Challenge, NRPA is partnering with leading national training providers to ensure park and recreation agencies have access to no-cost, high-quality training programs. These training opportunities focus on two key areas — social and emotional learning (SEL) and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) — to complement and enhance existing training and ensure all people interacting with youth have essential skills to promote relationship building, leadership and teamwork, cultural humility, conflict resolution, unconscious bias, building understanding, and more.
Park and Recreation Stories: Your Story Starts Here
By Cara Myers | Posted on March 13, 2024
NRPA's new video-storytelling project, Park and Recreation Stories, aims to capture the memories and insights of park and recreation professionals, as well as commemorate significant events experienced by NRPA members, partners and advocates. The initiative promotes the voice of the people who have dedicated their lives to the field of parks and recreation for the purpose of creating strong, healthy and vibrant communities across this country.
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.
Lead Her Forward: Creating a Culture of Women Coaches
By Nelson Musselman | Posted on February 1, 2024
Celebrated on February 7, National Girls and Women in Sports Day® honors the achievements of girls and women in sports, while also acknowledging that we must continue to advocate for gender equity. Here are five ways your agency can create a culture of women coaching.
Imposter Syndrome Is Real — Episode 149
By Cort Jones and Cara Myers | Posted on January 9, 2024
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, Gabby Vera, CPRP, the regional park superintendent for Maricopa County (Arizona) Parks and Recreation, shares strategies she's used to overcome imposter syndrome and more!
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.
Parks Providing Opportunities: A Young Professional’s Testimony
By Chandler Nobles, MS, CPRP | Posted on December 13, 2023
Chandler Nobles, athletics supervisor at Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks & Recreation Authority, shares how a career in parks and recreation has given him opportunities that he otherwise would have never had
Building Belonging: Neurodivergent Perspectives in Parks and Recreation (Part I) — Episode 148
By Cort Jones and Christina High | Posted on December 5, 2023
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, we're discussing neurodiversity with by Kande Jones, the development director for Mulvane Recreation Commission in Kansas, and Dave McDaniel, the operations coordinator for City of Mobile Parks and Recreation in Alabama.
We’re Stronger Together — Episode 147
By Cort Jones and Cara Myers | Posted on November 21, 2023
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, we talk with Dr. Tiffany Johnson, CPRP, the deputy director of aging and disability services for City of Seattle, about her extensive career, the power of networking and more.
Power for All: Reclaiming Power as a Manager in the New Generation
By Miranda Maloy | Posted on November 16, 2023
The concept of power isn’t something you can own and it’s not exclusive to one specific generation or level of authority — it is something that everyone can shape, share and utilize for the benefit of all, especially if they know how.
You’ve Got This!
By Gabby Vera, CPRP | Posted on October 27, 2023
Gabby Vera, CPRP, the regional park superintendent for Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, shares practical strategies to boost self-confidence, overcome imposter syndrome, and thrive in your leadership journey.
Preparing the Next Generation of Diverse Leaders in Parks and Recreation — Episode 145
By Cort Jones | Posted on October 24, 2023
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, we're discussing the good work of the National Recreation and Park Ethnic Minority Society with Chris Bass, CPRP, and Thamara Velasco, CYSA.
Supporting Staff Well-Being
By Daniel Hatcher and Allison Colman | Posted on October 19, 2023
We explored the topic of staff well-being at the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference. Here are a few of the creative ideas to support staff well-being that attendees shared.
Exploring 13 Common Park and Recreation Salaries
By Catherine Tepper | Posted on October 18, 2023
The 2023 NRPA Park and Recreation Salary Survey report dives into 13 of the most commonly found job titles held by full-time professionals. We look at the different responsibilities of each of these positions and how their salaries differ and have changed over the years.
Diving Deeper: The 2023 NRPA Park and Recreation Salary Survey
By Catherine Tepper | Posted on October 2, 2023
The 2023 NRPA Park and Recreation Salary Survey report outlines the valuable benefits that park and recreation professionals receive, such as health insurance, vacation and sick leave, retirement plans and more.
Get the Most Out of the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference
By Amanda Hersey | Posted on September 27, 2023
It’s almost conference time! We’ve filled the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference schedule with inspirational education sessions, networking opportunities, celebrations and time to check out the latest products for our field.