The National Recreation and Parks Association

Shola Richards will discuss workplace kindness at the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference.

Via ferrata, an adventure sport with elements of hiking and climbing, is gaining popularity. 

Learn how the first National Executive Forum on Health and Outdoor Recreation advanced outdoor recreation as a public health solution.

Plan to explore the many sites and experiences Philadelphia has to offer during the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference.

Deepen your park and recreation knowledge through education sessions at the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference in Philadelphia.

Attend the inaugural Youth Sports in Parks and Recreation Summit ahead of the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference.

Attend sessions that dive into sustainable park operations at the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference.

Get ready for the National Gold Medal Awards and a series of personal leadership stories at the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference Day 2 General Session. 

Learn about the STRONG (Sports Training, Recreation, and Opportunities for the Next Generation) Kids Act.

Consider the impact of kindness and how we can bring positive shared experiences to community members through parks and recreation.

Camaraderie among park and recreation professionals supports uplifting experiences among colleagues and community members.

Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting systems offer increased energy efficiency and advanced controls.

By showcasing images of community members enjoying events, park and recreation agencies can more effectively market programs and draw participants.

Interpretive themes are basic building blocks for visitor management and experience.

Run clubs are rising in popularity as they offer an avenue for social connection as well as physical activity.

Careers in Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) provide park and recreation professionals opportunities to support service members and their families.

Rachel Strickland, a Dexter (Missouri) Parks and Recreation parent and coach, says she aims to make a difference in the lives of youth both on and off the field.

We look forward to celebrating The Power Of history with you in Philadelphia!

Benchmarking data published in the 2026 NRPA Agency Performance Review confirm that park and recreation agencies widely offer youth programming. 

Learn about opportunities to expand youth mentoring in your community.

When approached intentionally, employment in parks and recreation offers youth opportunities to build confidence, work ethic and leadership skills. 

The NatureUplift project measured the heart and mental health impacts nature-based physical activity had on African American parents and children.

The United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit joined a growing list of reported federal court opinions that have considered Second Amendment challenges to firearm prohibitions in public parks in the case of Christian v. James.

Discover why a canopy belongs in every outdoor municipal pickleball and padel court project.

The new Soldotna Regional Sports Complex Field House expands access to recreation on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula.

A new section of Wiley Post Park in Oklahoma City offers an exciting space for play and celebration with vibrant site amenities.

Learn how the new Parisi Park Shelter in Middleton, Wisconsin, is designed to serve neighborhood residents, trail users and community event attendees.

Durham (North Carolina) Parks and Recreation (DPR) recently gave teenagers the chance to take flight and learn what it’s like to be a pilot.