Collaboration and Intergenerational Programming to Promote Wellness and Healthy Aging
By Morgyn Manzer and Jill Juris, Ph.D. | Posted on July 29, 2021
Collaborations and partnerships between organizations and universities came together during COVID-19 to provide creative and innovative solutions to safely provide recreation, nutrition education and intergenerational opportunities to 120 homebound Centra PACE older adults in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Tukwila Parks and Recreation: Keeping Community Members Active Outdoors During COVID-19
By Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) | Posted on July 27, 2021
With strict COVID-19 restrictions in place, in-person programming was virtually impossible — and on top of that, Tukwila Parks and Recreation had to let all of their part-time staff go. But this shift led to some positive changes in how the department interacts with the community.
A Podcast for Any Chapter in Your Parks and Rec Journey — Episode 096
By Cort Jones | Posted on July 27, 2021
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, we're joined by two other park and recreation podcast hosts — Becky Dunlap of Let's Talk Parks and Paul Gilbert of Strategic Leadership — to discuss how the rise of podcasting and digital content is benefitting park and recreation professionals.
The Buzz in the Burg
By Kelly Adams, Keith Thomas and Jeremy Harold | Posted on July 21, 2021
"The Friendly City” is a motto that the city of Harrisonburg, Virginia, takes to heart, and Mike Hott, the city’s landscape supervisor is helping make it friendly for pollinators, as well. Learn how they will leverage the Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz in their city wide pollinators program.
NRPA Celebrates National Farmers Market Week
By Maureen Neumann | Posted on July 21, 2021
Hosted by the Farmers Market Coalition, National Farmers Market Week (August 1-7) is an opportunity to show how much value markets bring to communities.
Three Toolkits to Reinvent Your Messaging
By Dan McCarthy and Cort Jones | Posted on July 20, 2021
Whether it’s inviting your elected officials to check out the spaces or programs you manage, pitching a story to your local news outlet, or celebrating Park and Recreation Month, these toolkits will help you communicate your mission to build a healthier, more resilient community.
Enhancing Stewardship and Access to the Tennessee River — August Bonus Episode
By Cort Jones | Posted on July 15, 2021
The August issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, titled, “A River Runs Through It.”
The Genesis Project: How a Mother Is Keeping Her Son’s Spirit Alive — Episode 095
By Cort Jones | Posted on July 13, 2021
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, we’re joined by Jennifer Holmes, who is helping to provide swim lessons and water safety education to rural areas of Charleston County, South Carolina, after her son, Genesis, tragically died in a drowning accident in 2014. We’re also joined by Gina Ellis-Strother, the chief administration officer for Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission.
Trading Open Spaces for Online Spaces – How Kids Are Socializing Now
By Chris Korbelak, CPRP | Posted on July 9, 2021
Even before the coronavirus pandemic, researchers and youth shared an understanding that wellbeing is tied to a sense of belonging that extends to online spaces.
Recreational Esports 101
By Ivy O'Shaughnessy and Greg Boehm | Posted on July 8, 2021
Looking for ways to provide an exciting, new activity to your local community? Esports provides a multitude of options for educational and recreational engagement via athletics, education and even future careers.
American Rescue Plan: New Guidance for Park and Recreation Professionals
By Kyle Simpson | Posted on July 7, 2021
An update on new guidance from the Department of the Treasury, which details allowable uses for the “Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds” — the $350 billion in funding for cities, counties and states to help blunt the economic impact of the pandemic and assist those most impacted.
Five Storytelling Activities From the New Self-Care Summer Toolkit
By Daniel W. Hatcher, MPH | Posted on July 2, 2021
The new Alliance for a Healthier Generation Self-Care Summer Toolkit includes simple ways to prioritize health this season. In celebration of Park and Recreation Month and the theme of "Our Park and Recreation Story," here are five storytelling activities from the toolkit.