Pictured: Attendees at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference in Atlanta. Photo courtesy of Caught in the Moment Photography.
Last year was my first time attending the NRPA Annual Conference and it exceeded my expectations! Walking in the doors to the conference was overwhelmingly impressive. I was excited to experience all the sessions I could within the time I had, using the NRPA Conference App to see what sessions were being held near the ones I was already attending. I was running around like a new college student passionate about what I was learning, and leaving the sessions inspired to educate others and implement what I learned.
The connections with others in the park and recreation field were so great for hearing what other cities and different sized organizations are accomplishing. It was so nice to meet other young professionals in the same field as me. I made meaningful connections with people from my own city that I hadn’t met before because of this conference, and we have been collaborating more since. It truly felt like a unique experience to be able to meet people who you can talk about your career with, and they are doing the very program you want to do or sharing ideas together.
Many of the speakers really resonated with me, especially those advocating for folks with disabilities. These speakers were advocating for all people to have access to all programs and natural areas that parks and recreation can offer them, and that they need to be front of mind, rather than a planning afterthought.
Mobility Devices and Adaptive Hiking: Lessons Learned from the National Park Service sparked my goal of trying to get mobility devices for the nature center where I work. It is a long process to get these devices, but I know that it will help people enjoy their RIGHT to access nature spaces once they know about these devices, and that makes me hopeful.
Green Space Policy as a Public Health Intervention was another session that motivated me. Access to natural areas is so important to public health, so of course it makes sense to get people with health struggles and people with disabilities outside even more. We need equipment so they can have the access they deserve.
Want to get inspired like I was at last year’s conference? Registration is open now for the 2025 NRPA Annual Conference in Orlando, this September 16-18.
Krista Hill (she/her) is the Recreation Outreach Worker for Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Wissahickon Environmental Center.