Help Older Adults Get Moving With Five Strategies From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report
By Katrina Piercy, Alison Vaux-Bjerke, Malorie Polster and Bianca Macias | Posted on April 25, 2024
As older adults continue to make up a growing share of the U.S. population, physical activity is a vital tool for helping them manage and improve their health. The Physical Activity Guidelines Midcourse Report: Implementation Strategies for Older Adults (Midcourse Report) highlights what works to increase physical activity among older adults. Park and recreation professionals can use these five strategies from the Midcourse Report to help older adults in their communities get moving.
Creating Space for Belonging in Juneau, Alaska — Episode 152
By Christina High and Cort Jones | Posted on March 12, 2024
On this episode of Open Space Radio, we're chatting with are Amanda Lovejoy, a recreation coordinator at the Zach Gordon Youth Center for City and Borough of Juneau Parks & Recreation, and Lauren Anderson is the Treadwell Arena Manager for Juneau Parks & Recreation.
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.
Park and Recreation Professionals: Here’s how you can help prevent youth substance use in your communities
By Karen Voetsch | Posted on March 5, 2024
More than 750 community coalitions across the country receive funding up to $125,000 per year to strengthen collaboration among local partners and create an infrastructure that reduces youth substance use.
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.
Memories Are Important for Wellness, Too
By Emma Laux | Posted on February 15, 2024
Emma Laux shares how a member of the Monon Community Center, part of Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation, focuses on the "gold" lining during her cancer battle.
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.
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.
NRPA and RRF Foundation for Aging Join Forces to Empower Healthy Aging Through Parks and Recreation
By Natalia Ospina | Posted on January 31, 2024
NRPA has received $86,000 in grant funding to conduct a research project that will identify promising interventions and scale practices to promote social and intergenerational connectedness.
Reflections from the 2024 National Mentoring Summit
By NRPA's Mentoring Team | Posted on January 30, 2024
NRPA staff recently attended the National Mentoring Summit to connect with other park and recreation professionals and learn from a range of mentoring experts. Here are some takeaways from the event.
Make an Impact by Leading with a Mentoring Mindset — Episode 150
By Cort Jones and Christina High | Posted on January 23, 2024
On the latest Open Space Radio episode, we talk about the power of mentoring with Katlin Okamoto, director of Coach-Mentor Training at U.S. Soccer Foundation; Char Barnes, a park and recreation professional who previously worked in Columbus, Ohio; and Kent Hunt, NRPA’s program manager of health.
Auburndale Park's Trail Revitalization with Bobcat and NRPA
By Charissa Hipp | Posted on January 18, 2024
The City of Auburn, Washington, was one of five recipients of a $50,000 Bobcat grant to support park improvement projects awarded as part of Bobcat’s 65th anniversary celebration in 2023.
Elevating the Spirit of Service in Youth
By Cina Makres | Posted on January 12, 2024
This year, we recognize the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on January 15, and we invite you to join us in strengthening communities nationwide through the integration of community service in youth mentoring programs.
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!