Celebrating Community: The Impact of Park and Recreation Month


By Alexandria Arnold | Posted on May 21, 2026

Excelsior Springs 410

It’s easy to think of parks and recreation as a place with a few trees, a playground and maybe a summer t-ball league. But in reality, it’s so much more.

Every July, communities across the country celebrate Park and Recreation Month — a time dedicated not only to parks and programs, but to the people, partnerships and purpose behind them. It’s a chance to highlight the role parks and recreation plays in strengthening communities and improving quality of life for all.

But this work isn’t just worth celebrating one month out of the year.

Parks and recreation is essential — not optional.

Access to parks, green space and leisure programming has been consistently linked to improved mental health, reduced stress and increased overall well-being. According to research supported by NRPA, spending time in parks can decrease anxiety and depression, while access to recreational programming helps foster social connection — a key factor in mental health and community resilience.

It supports whole-family wellness, providing opportunities for physical activity, emotional reset and meaningful connection. It develops future leaders through youth programs, first jobs and mentorship opportunities. And perhaps most importantly, it builds community — creating spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together and feel a sense of belonging.

In Excelsior Springs, we’ve seen that impact grow year after year through intentional celebration of Park and Recreation Month.

What started as a modest lineup of 16–18 events between 2015 and 2019 adapted during 2020 to 13 virtual offerings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the growth has been significant:

  • 2023: 20 events serving 669 participants
  • 2024: 20 events serving 588 participants
  • 2025: 27 events serving 1,140 participants
  • 2026: 33 events scheduled

These numbers tell a story—but the real impact is found in the moments behind them.

It looks like a citywide block party providing warm meals to families who may not otherwise have access. It’s children gaining confidence through free swim clinics. It’s seniors and youth connecting through board games and storytime. It’s messy, joyful events like “Messy Mania,” where kids and adults alike get to embrace play, laughter and a little bit of chaos.

A young child in sunglasses plays in bubbles at a park.

It also looks like collaboration.

Programs like a fire department “hose down” day, storytime in the park with the public library, and art classes led by local educators show what’s possible when departments and organizations come together with a shared goal: serving the community.

These programs don’t happen by accident. They are made possible by dedicated parks and recreation professionals who plan, adapt, problem-solve and show up every day to create meaningful experiences for others.

A fire department "hose down" event.

That’s why this work matters.

Parks and recreation professionals are not just program coordinators or event planners. They are community builders, connectors and leaders. They create spaces where people feel welcome, supported and engaged. They provide opportunities that shape childhoods, strengthen families and enhance overall well-being.

And during Park and Recreation Month, we have an opportunity to both celebrate that impact and expand it.

If your agency is looking to get started or grow your celebration, consider this a challenge:

  • Start small — even one or two programs each week can make a difference
  • Look for partnerships with organizations like libraries, school districts or local groups
  • Incorporate existing programs into your celebration calendar
  • Engage your full team across departments
  • Get creative with funding through donations, volunteers and community partnerships

Most importantly, focus on what parks and recreation does best: bringing people together.

A child with a fish trophy stands next to a sign thanking Park and Recreation Month sponsors.

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

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the number of events we host.

It’s about the impact those moments have long after the month is over.

Let’s keep the conversation going. How is your community celebrating Park and Recreation Month? What impact have you seen parks and recreation make in your community?

Alexandria Arnold is the aquatics manager at the Excelsior Springs Parks, Recreation and Community Center in Missouri. Her mission is to provide accessible, inclusive programming for all ages, all the time. She is passionate about using parks and recreation as a tool to build community, support mental well-being and create spaces where everyone feels they belong.

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