Older Americans Month 2020: Make Your Mark
By Lesha Spencer-Brown, MPH, CPH | Posted on April 30, 2020
As we look to recognize and celebrate older adults this May, we must acknowledge the current state of our nation as we continue to grapple with the impacts of COVID-19 and identify ways to keep our communities healthy.
Celebrating the Vital Importance of Parks During World Parks Week
By Kristine Stratton, NRPA President and CEO | Posted on April 29, 2020
Even though our current reality prevents us from gathering, it doesn’t stop us from finding new ways to enjoy nature and it certainly doesn’t stop us from showing our respect for those who protect and maintain our natural spaces.
Help! Working From Home Is Stressing Me Out!
By Michael A. Mulvaney | Posted on April 28, 2020
In parks and recreation where face-to-face interactions are the norm, requiring professionals suddenly to work remotely for an indefinite amount of time, in physically isolated environments, is not without challenges. These tips will help you maximize your potential within these work-from-home environments while reducing your stress and maintaining your overall health.
NRPA Parks Snapshot: April 22-24 Survey Results
By Kevin Roth | Posted on April 24, 2020
This week, for the first time since conducting the NRPA Parks Snapshot survey, we looked at the status of campgrounds, as well as future plans for reopening parks and facilities.
Virtual In-Service: What it Means and How it Works
By Adam Thompson, CPRP | Posted on April 23, 2020
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department is continuing its weekly in-service requirements in order to maintain communication with aquatics staff and maintain lifeguard requirements for both the Texas Public Pool Code and their internal policy.
Farmers Markets and COVID-19
By Maureen Acquino | Posted on April 23, 2020
Although not deemed essential in every community, many areas of the country are prioritizing access to farmers markets and encouraging community members that eating healthy, fresh foods is a large part of staying healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Importance of Collaboration During COVID-19 — May Bonus Episode
By Roxanne Sutton and Cort Jones | Posted on April 23, 2020
On this month’s bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we talk with three park and recreation leaders from the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., about their collaborative response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how they’ve navigated the tough decisions they’ve had to make.
Centering Health Equity in COVID-19 Response and Recovery Plans
By NRPA's Health and Wellness Team | Posted on April 23, 2020
While COVID-19 has impacted each one of us, it’s well known that certain populations have been more severely affected — people aged 65+, people experiencing homelessness, and people with underlying chronic diseases including diabetes, obesity, asthma and heart disease. However, these are not the only groups at a higher risk of being impacted by COVID-19.
Six Ways Parks and Recreation Is Celebrating Earth Day
By Cort Jones and Audrey Fox | Posted on April 22, 2020
Since 1970, the world has celebrated Earth Day on April 22, but this year, because of physical distancing guidelines and many people self-isolating at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, park and recreation agencies all over the country have developed creative ways to celebrate virtually and safely.
Safely Celebrate Earth Day with Parks and Recreation — Episode 064
By Cort Jones and Roxanne Sutton | Posted on April 21, 2020
On this episode of Open Space Radio, we’re joined by three dedicated and creative staff members of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department in Ohio to talk about the virtual Earth Day celebrations they have planned so their community can safely learn more about the environment around them and how to protect it.
Supporting Older Adults During COVID-19
By Julie S. Son, Ph.D., Stephanie West, Ph.D., Megan C. Janke, Ph.D., Toni Liechty, Ph.D., and Jill Naar, Ph.D. | Posted on April 20, 2020
How do you stay engaged with your older adult population now that many people are sheltering-in-place due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Here are some dos and some don’ts.
NRPA Parks Snapshot: April 15-17 Survey Results
By Kevin Roth | Posted on April 17, 2020
Among the findings in this week's NRPA Parks Snapshot, nearly half of all park and recreation agencies have received requests to make cuts to their current fiscal year budget, while 31 percent of agencies are already making cuts to the next fiscal year’s budget.
Clarifications Issued on Child Nutrition Programs
By Maureen Acquino | Posted on April 16, 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service's new guidance is designed to answer outstanding questions regarding pandemic meal service and ensure that all kids in your community have access to healthy, nutritious daily meals.
Substance Use in Parks and Recreation: Addressing Other Substances
By Lauren Kiefert | Posted on April 15, 2020
As NRPA explores the role of parks and recreation in the opioid crisis, we must recognize and address the reality that other substances, like tobacco and marijuana, are being used on park grounds and/or around facilities, as well.
Aquatics Programming Goes Digital
By Emily Randell, CPRP, AFO, LGI, and Kate Connell, CPRP, AFO, LGIT, WSIT | Posted on April 14, 2020
With pools, beaches and water parks closed across the country, aquatic professionals are turning to digital platforms to reach their regular patrons and broaden their reach as advocates for safety and inclusive water recreation.
BioBlitz Moves to September but Pollinator Awareness Can Continue at Home
By Michele White, CAE, IOM | Posted on April 14, 2020
Originally scheduled for June 2020, NRPA's Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz will be pushed back to September 2020 to ensure communities across the country can participate.
NRPA Parks Snapshot: April 8-10 Survey Results
By Kevin Roth | Posted on April 10, 2020
Among the findings in this week's NRPA Parks Snapshot, less than half of park and recreation agencies (44 percent) continue to keep their dog parks open during the COVID-19 pandemic, while 54 percent of agencies have closed all of their dog parks.
“In-Home Recreation” Helps People in Whitemarsh Township Continue to Play
By Thomas J. Blomstrom | Posted on April 9, 2020
With the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, park and recreation agencies - like the Whitemarsh Township Parks and Recreation Department - are coming up with innovative solutions to keep their communities healthy, active, engaged and connected.
Be a 2020 NRPA Annual Conference Speaker — Why Not?
By Marhonda Williams, CPRP | Posted on April 9, 2020
If you know you have the gift of connecting with people and have a passion you are willing to share, Marhonda Williams, CPRP, encourages you to give Speed Sessions at the 2020 NRPA Annual Conference a try!
A Park Planner’s Perspective on the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Clement Lau | Posted on April 8, 2020
These are challenging times. But, according to Clement Lau, departmental facilities planner for the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, a crisis is also an opportunity to reexamine current practices and contemplate new ideas.
Self-Care in Uncertain Times: Boosting Staff Morale and Managing Stress During COVID-19
By Lauren Kiefert and Maureen Acquino | Posted on April 7, 2020
During these unprecedented times – when worry is high and staff morale can be low – it’s important to take care of ourselves and our teams.
Celebrating 150 Years of Golden Gate Park, Virtually — Episode 063
By Roxanne Sutton and Cort Jones | Posted on April 7, 2020
On this episode of Open Space Radio, we're joined by Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, to talk about how his agency had to get creative in order to bring Golden Gate Park's 150th birthday celebration to people virtually.
CDC’s Face Covering Recommendation — Implications for Parks and Recreation
By Allison Colman | Posted on April 6, 2020
To further slow the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new recommendations regarding the use of cloth face coverings over the weekend.
Tips for Helping Older Adults Maintain Good Health at Home
By NRPA's Healthy Aging in Parks Team | Posted on April 3, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many park and recreation agencies to move their programs online. With this in mind, NRPA's Healthy Aging in Parks team has put together these tips for helping you further your virtual older adult programs.
NRPA Parks Snapshot: April 1-3 Survey Results
By Kevin Roth | Posted on April 3, 2020
The NRPA Parks Snapshot provides the latest data on how park and recreation leaders from across the country are confronting the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the findings this week, 91 percent of park and recreation agencies have closed their playgrounds.
$227 Million to Support Outdoor Recreation through LWCF
By Kyle Simpson | Posted on April 3, 2020
During this difficult time when so many of you are being asked to do more with less, we have received a bit of good news for park projects in the form of state allocations from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
How to Communicate to Your Public About Safe Use of Parks
By Roxanne Sutton | Posted on April 1, 2020
We’ve seen numerous examples of how recommendations, closures and restrictions are being communicated across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve collected those ideas and distilled them into best practices for the broader parks and recreation community.