What makes anniversaries special? Is it because they represent how far an organization has come? If an organization makes it 25, 50, 100 years, does it prove that it has somehow done everything right to have endured? Perhaps. But that’s not why I think anniversaries are worth celebrating — especially not NRPA’s 50th anniversary.
NRPA’s accomplishments over the past 50 years are great — too great to enumerate in a letter, magazine or maybe even a small library. While those accomplishments are part of our celebration, our anniversary is worth celebrating because of what our mission is moving forward and what we are poised to accomplish in the next 50 years.
Our collective work and vision has set us on the path to a future where parks and recreation will be recognized as a critical piece of the solution to the world’s toughest problems. Instead of vying to be included in meetings about the health and wellness of our citizens, city conservation practices and social equity challenges, we will be sought out as the first authority on these issues.
And it won’t just be elected officials, community organizations or government entities that seek out parks and recreation first. It’s going to be the average citizen. When Suzy realizes it’s time to start investing in her health, she isn’t going to start looking up membership rates at a private gym. She’s going to know off the top of her head that her local parks and recreation facilities can and will provide everything she needs.
Young people looking to make a difference in the world will know that a career in parks and recreation will fulfill that need in a very real way. They will know that accredited university programs and NRPA will prepare them for their careers and provide them with the best professional development opportunities that exist.
These may seem like lofty goals, but I know they can be accomplished because we are already moving in that direction. An attainable goal doesn’t mean an easy goal, but with vision and dedication, I believe all of these things will become reality.
Thank you for being part of NRPA’s 50-year history and, more importantly, NRPA’s future. NRPA isn’t just a name, a building or a website. NRPA is you and me and all of things we accomplish together.
Here’s to the future.
Barbara Tulipane, CAE, is NRPA's President and CEO.