Park and Recreation Month 2021: Our Park and Recreation Story

July is Park and Recreation Month!

Every person has a park story. Every park has a history made up of thousands of stories that help to define it. This July, let’s tell our park and recreation story.

Parks are at the center of so many experiences and memories — moments that park and recreation professionals help make happen. Our local parks are often our first experiences in nature, our introduction to a favorite hobby or physical activity. They are places to gather with friends and family, spaces to celebrate life’s special moments, spots of respite and healing, sites that connect us with essential community services, and so much more. Local parks have been essential throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of your community members finding a new appreciation for the essential spaces you manage and vital programs you provide. This year for Park and Recreation Month, we want to hear your community’s stories about what their local parks and recreation means to them.

This year’s theme for Park and Recreation Month is “Our Park and Recreation Story,” and we want to highlight the stories of how your communities are more strong, vibrant and resilient because of parks and recreation. Be sure to follow along and encourage your community to share their park and recreation stories on social media using #OurParkAndRecStory.

Stay tuned as we’ll be updating this page regularly and releasing supporting materials, such as the logo, outreach toolkit, poster, and other ways you can celebrate Park and Recreation Month with NRPA, your community and your peers this July. And, be sure to submit your photos and stories for the Park and Recreation Month Cover Contest below by April 23 for the chance to be featured on the cover of the July issue of Parks & Recreation magazine!

Save the date for Tuesday, May 25 at 2 p.m. EDT, as we will be offering a free storytelling webinar to help you learn the skills you need to effectively capture your community members’ stories and share them through compelling video. By participating in this webinar, your agency will be eligible to win one of six GoPro prize packs to help film an “Our Park and Recreation Story” video. More details and registration information will be available soon! 

 

Park and Recreation Month is sponsored by: