Parks and Recreation Magazine | National Recreation and Park Association

Features

Restoring Nature's Playground

Two Building Better Communities Grant Program grantees transformed their parks into unique educational play experiences that connect their communities to the natural world.

2020 August Feature How Parks Recreation Will Change Forever 410

How Parks and Recreation Will Change Forever

The pandemic is showing how the mission of parks and recreation is evolving to include serving as a provider of social and health services in the effort to rebuild and reconnect communities.

2020 August Feature Public Private Partnerships 410

Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships

The decline of city and county tax revenues to the COVID-19 pandemic will mean that now, more than ever, park budgets will depend upon partners from the private sector.

Perspectives

What Do We Stand For?

NRPA’s Pillars of Health and Wellness and Conservation often are interpreted as “what we do,” while Equity is the heart of “what we stand for.”

Editors Letter

Renewing Our Sense of Nature

This health crisis has renewed our sense of nature and open spaces. It’s reminded us to truly appreciate our outdoor environment and understand how it contributes to our mental and physical health.

2020 August We Are Parks and Rec Freedom of Speech 410

We Are Parks and Recreation

Parks and Freedom of Speech

On June 6, 2,000 marchers peacefully exercised their First Amendment Rights by expressing their outrage at injustice and racism in our society at Algonkian Regional Park in Northern Virginia.

2020 August We Are Parks and Rec Cullman Achieves CAPRA 410

We Are Parks and Recreation

Cullman Achieves CAPRA Accreditation

In 2020, the team at Cullman Parks, Recreation, and Sports Tourism (CPRST) succeeded in becoming the first park and recreation agency in the state of Alabama to reach accreditation.

2020 August We Are Parks and Rec Robert Garcia 410

We Are Parks and Recreation

Civil Rights Icon Robert García Passes Away

Park and recreation field mourns the death of Robert García, the fierce champion of social justice and defender of parks and recreation.

2020 August We Are Parks and Rec Fighting Vandalism 410

We Are Parks and Recreation

Fighting Vandalism at Recreational Facilities

Vandalism is not just a nuisance; it is also costly and dangerous. Learn simple ways to prevent vandalism and protect park and recreation property.

2020 August We Are Parks and Rec Member Benefit Screening 410

We Are Parks and Recreation

Member Benefit: Background Screening Best Practices

BIB and NRPA’s partnership was created to help park and recreation agencies do background screenings better. Learn a few things to keep in mind to help prevent risk.

2020 August Research Data Shows Public Believes Strongly in Parks Recreation 410

Research

Data Shows U.S. Public Believes Strongly in Parks and Recreation

One aspect of parks’ vitalness is the ubiquity of their usage; 6 in 7 U.S. adults visited a park, trail, open space or recreation facility at least once during the past year.

Research

Vacation Close to Home with Parks and Recreation

More than half (54%) of U.S. adults are likely to vacation close to home this summer, given the global COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 August Finance Park Space Housing Prices 410 Final

Finance for the Field

The Impact of Proximate Proportion of Park-Like Space and Views on Housing Prices

In addition to proximate distance, there are two other features of parks and open space that influence a property’s value: the proportion of park-like space in the locale and views from a property.

2020 August Advocacy Protecting Funding 410

Advocacy

Protecting Funding for Public Health and Equity

Well before the current coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis, East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) established significant programming, encouraging greater access by members of under-resourced communities.

Health and Wellness

Confronting Substance Use Disorder

Taking a closer look at the comprehensive response to substance use disorder, which is a public health crisis for park and recreation professionals.

2020 August Equity Equitable Access to Physical Activity 410

Social Equity

Creating Equitable Access to Physical Activity for Youth

Unfortunately, inequity is profoundly present in organized sports. Racial, economic and geographic disparities in access to sports and recreation had already created wide opportunity gaps and health inequities for many youth. This global health crisis is exacerbating those disparities.