The National Recreation and Parks Association

Partnerships are playing an increasingly important role in helping park agencies meet growing public expectations and community needs. Los Angeles offers several examples of what these partnerships look like in practice.

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Planning your Fourth of July celebration? At its best, it can do more than bring people together for a single evening. It can serve as a platform for investment, inclusion and measurable community impact.

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In Excelsior Springs, Missouri, the guiding motto is simple: Start with play, have fun, make memories. That mindset has helped grow their Park and Recreation Month celebrations into something the community looks forward to each year.

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Join us for the first-ever Youth Sports in Parks and Recreation Summit at the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference in Philadelphia as we rally around the power of parks and recreation in creating transformative sports experiences for young people.

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Finding land for new parks is becoming one of the biggest challenges facing urban communities. Rather than relying solely on vacant parcels, agencies are reclaiming land shaped by legacy infrastructure, industrial uses and public systems.

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Carter's Spectrum Golf Mentoring Program is proud to celebrate military children who demonstrate remarkable resilience every day, and is committed to supporting their growth both on and off the course.

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When park and recreation professionals build a girls-only program, it isn't just filling a gap in a schedule. It’s sending a message that girls belong here, that their development matters and that the community has invested in their future.

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After working as a counselor, camp director, and camp manager — as well as being a parent of a young camper — Jamie Bass knows the importance of summer camp for kids, especially in today's world.

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Public parks do not need to replicate the scale or spectacle of a theme park to remain relevant. Their strength lies in accessibility, authenticity and everyday connection.

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With submissions now open for this year’s Park and Recreation Month Cover Contest, this episode of Open Space Radio looks back at a few stories from last year that stayed with us.

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A single table tennis table can activate a community room, a park pavilion, or a corner of a recreation center.

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The quiet work of leadership does not always draw attention, but it shapes decisions, relationships and outcomes in lasting ways. In fields devoted to shared spaces, public service and community well-being, recognizing and making room for quieter leadership is essential.

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Through developing lasting relationships with students, Student Conservation Corps staff help students succeed in and out of Bainbridge Island Metro Parks.

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“Environmentally-Friendly Park Management” is a guide that helps park and recreation agencies achieve their sustainability goals.

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On November 12, Congress passed a stopgap spending package that officially ended the 44-day government shutdown — the longest in U.S. history.

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Every October, Coach Appreciation Month gives us a chance to pause and honor the individuals who dedicate their time, energy and heart to shaping the next generation through sports.

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Training grants are grants that do not always provide funds, but instead provide training, coaching and technical assistance. Since 2016, NRPA has been offering instructor training grants for evidenced-based physical activity programs and we just opened applications for another round!

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Walking paths are simple, low-cost features that deliver enormous benefits, from health and well-being to social connection and environmental awareness.

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