How Park and Recreation Agencies Can Empower Coaches in the Return to Play
By Jon Solomon | Posted on May 12, 2021
Here are best practices from the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program on how park and recreation agencies can support coaches in ensuring youth safely return to play.
Coffee Talk Replay: Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change — Episode 090
By Cort Jones and Roxanne Sutton | Posted on May 4, 2021
On this episode of Open Space Radio, we're replaying one of our Coffee Talks from last year's NRPA Virtual, when we were joined by Kenny Weigandt from Willamalane Park and Recreation District in Oregon, and John DiSpaldo, a regional preparedness liaison for FEMA, to discuss being prepared for disasters due to a changing climate.
How Mindfulness Can Improve Your Family’s Health
By Shea Pease | Posted on May 3, 2021
Mindfulness is the practice of focusing on what you’re sensing and feeling in the present moment, without passing any judgment or allowing interruptions. BOKS, a free physical activity program for kids and families, has just launched a new Mindfulness & Movement Flows resource designed to take the planning out of mindfulness activities.
Supporting Transgender Inclusion in Youth Sports
By Allison Colman, Teresa Morrissey, Autumn Saxton-Ross and Tiff Cunin | Posted on April 30, 2021
As bills aimed at preventing transgender youth — particularly transgender girls — from participating in girls’ sports continue to appear in state legislatures, here are some best practices, resources and learning opportunities as it relates to transgender inclusion in youth sports.
Celebrating Park and Recreation Professionals on Thank a Hunger Hero Day
By Maureen Neumann | Posted on April 30, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and emphasized the critical role park and recreation professionals play in supporting access to healthy food for community members, especially during times of crisis. This #ThankAHungerHero Day, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the essential role of park and recreation professionals.
New Toolkit to Assess Climate Threats and Park-Specific Strategies
By Jenny Cox | Posted on April 29, 2021
Climate.Park.Change. is a pilot toolkit created by Sasaki in partnership with NRPA. This toolkit compiles data on how climate change is affecting park and recreation spaces and offers physical design and community engagement solutions to address climate impacts and other challenges.
Summer 2021: Safe, Fun, Healthy and Family-Friendly Activities in Parks and Rec
By NRPA Programs and Partnerships Team | Posted on April 21, 2021
We asked NRPA's Conservation, Health and Park Access teams for some summer activity recommendations — check out a few of their ideas highlighting fun ways you can spend time together as a family and make new memories this summer.
New Research Brief: The Evidence Base for Afterschool and Summer
By Nikki Yamashiro | Posted on April 20, 2021
As the country now looks to reopening and recovery, afterschool and summer programs, which decades of research have shown are able to help meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of students, will continue to be a valuable resource.
Addressing Issues at the Intersection of Climate and Health — Episode 089
By Cort Jones and Roxanne Sutton | Posted on April 20, 2021
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, we're discussing how the Climate for Health Ambassador Training, taking place this June in partnership with Climate for Health, will benefit park and recreation professionals at all experience levels.
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department Celebrates Earth Month
By Betty Blockinger | Posted on April 16, 2021
When the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department began planning what Earth Day would look like in 2021, they decided to take a new approach. What if they planted pollinator habitats instead of trees?
Planning for Summer Meals Success
By Clarissa Hayes | Posted on April 14, 2021
To support continued meal access during COVID-19, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended key nationwide waivers that will allow park and recreation professionals across the country to adapt and adjust operations to provide meals to children in a variety of ways.
Free Earth Day Concert and Programming with MISTER G
By Roxanne Sutton | Posted on April 9, 2021
This Earth Month we’re excited to be working with MISTER G to promote a series of online workshops and a livestream virtual concert for kids of all ages. You are invited to register for the workshops and concerts for free and utilize them in your childcare and out-of-school time programs or however you see fit.
New Resource Aims to Build a Fairer, Healthier World
By Alyia Gaskins and Tiffany Pertillar | Posted on April 7, 2021
NRPA's new resource, Elevating Health Equity Through Parks and Recreation: A Framework for Action, guides local park and recreation professionals in applying an equity lens when designing, implementing and evaluating programs and services.
What Inclusion and Accessibility Mean to a Special Olympian — Episode 088
By Cort Jones and Roxanne Sutton | Posted on April 6, 2021
On this episode of Open Space Radio, we're joined by Abby Hirsch, an athlete for Special Olympics Minnesota, to learn about her story and what inclusion and accessibility mean to her.
COVID-19: What Can We Expect for Summer Camp 2021?
By Allison Colman | Posted on March 22, 2021
Recent conversations with the CDC, American Camp Association and other national out-of-school time organizations, as well as newly released studies highlighting the effectiveness of multi-layered prevention measures in camp and childcare settings, have confirmed that while summer camp programs will continue to have significant prevention and mitigation strategies in place this year, they can safely operate (yay!).
How Park and Recreation Departments are Reimagining Themselves During COVID-19
By Jon Solomon | Posted on March 12, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on just how essential parks and recreation is to our communities and has forced agencies to get creative – to adapt and reimagine programming and other offerings as we all adjust to new norms following the pandemic.
Introducing Parks as Community Nutrition Hubs
By Maureen Neumann | Posted on March 11, 2021
Park and recreation agencies are uniquely suited to serve as community nutrition hubs, connecting all members of the community to programs and services that improve health outcomes.
USDA Extends Free Meals Through Summer 2021
By Dan McCarthy | Posted on March 11, 2021
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently extended waivers that allow all children to continue to receive free nutritious meals through the summer.