Latta Nature Preserve is a 1,460-acre passive recreation park that protects significant natural resources and provides water quality protection for Mountain Island Lake.
J. Nicholas Williams Sr. had two priorities as director of Oakland Parks, Recreation and Youth Development: neutralize disparities and laser focus on Oakland youth.
Parks are treasured landscapes that have provided countless people with the opportunity to make a direct connection with nature.
To better support members in seeing difference as a strength, NRPA is working to create opportunities for professionals to learn and practice.
Changing the narrative by building equity and understanding within the field.
While systemic racism impacts all corners of our society, we must not forget that people create systems.
Understand the general framework that can facilitate the creation of a more equitable parks system.
Girls playing sports attain higher levels of education, are healthier mentally and physically, and even earn higher wages as adults, compared to non-athlete peers.
NRPA developed goals and principles that guide how we collaborate with park and recreation professionals to ensure all youth have the opportunity, motivation and access to play sports.
NRPA’s Equity Action Plan connects our commitment to centering equity and our strategic direction of Preparing Professionals for the Future with our value of continuous learning.
Parks and recreation has a responsibility to ensure that all people are respected and have access to the amenities, services and environments afforded to dominant groups.
Prevention Institute's new study lays out three key dimensions of producing more equitable outcomes in the park and green space arena.
If we are to convince a wider audience of the great worth of our indispensable services — and, in turn, influence higher funding by decision-makers — we must deliver whole goods.
Service dogs are “task trained” dogs (of any breed) that enhance the ability of a person to participate in everyday opportunities.
LGBTQ+ people of color exist at the intersection of many simultaneous identities that are rarely captured in case studies, retention efforts, and program or policy reform.
Equitable marketing is achievable and is proven only if an organization can close the gap in its community’s customer journey.
Park professionals and land managers from across the country are beginning to turn to virtual volunteer activities to connect diverse audiences to their public land sites.
Parks will play an essential role in the economic recovery of our nation and in addressing inequities in our cities.
All our advocacy needs to be supported by education, documentation, data and sound reasoning.
Park and recreation professionals and agencies can play a major role in ensuring that girls have equitable access to sports opportunities.
Recent data from the Los Angeles, California, region provides insights for park agencies across the country.
While evaluation requires a basic understanding of the principles of study design, sampling and analysis, it is an art gained through practice employing a suite of complementary mixed methods.
For the city of Perris, California, public art was one of the missing elements in developing equitable opportunities to support a built environment that boosts economic vitality and celebrates the diverse culture in the city.
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.
Now, more than ever, the benefits of breathing freely in nature must be accessible to all.
Because June is LGTBQ+ Pride Month, it allows us the perfect opportunity to consider how we can better serve our LGBTQ+ family, friends and neighbors.
There are several communities that have historically lacked access to parks and continue to remain disconnected in a time when getting outdoors is one of the few permissible activities.
Quality communities and the ability to stay in them support the vision of social equity. This mindset recognizes that we are all part of a larger ecosystem whose components are intricately connected.
Researchers examine whether neighborhoods with different demographic and socioeconomic statuses have equal access to greenways.
Teen programming that focuses on developing job skills and instilling organizational values is the foundation for creating a recruitment pipeline.
A recent study abroad program focuses on people with disabilities and how those without disabilities now perceive them.
These NRPA resources help agencies increase engagement, equity and inclusion.
The Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks and other city agencies are working to establish goals and metrics to ensure all residents have access to similar resources throughout the city.
Through interpretive signs and programs, NOVA Parks is informing residents about its community’s history.
The renovated Catherine Street Park, this year’s Parks Build Community project, will provide community residents with outdoor opportunities to play and socialize.
The BRIDGE (bonding, realism, identity, dreams, goal setting and exposure) Program aims to help young people, particularly young men of color, overcome obstacles and begin to unlock their full potential.
People who identify as LGBTQ are already coming to your facilities and even more want to, so making affirming changes will help them feel more welcomed.
As the country’s demographics shift to a minority-majority status, what marketing strategies should you employ to market to your increasingly diverse communities?
In a nation that is quickly becoming a majority-minority, the park and recreation industry can be a leader in establishing inclusive practices that enhance the well-being of all Americans.
Parks and recreation can play a substantial role in how everyone in a community learns and how that learning can impact the community.
Learn about NRPA’s best practices guide for developing an inclusion policy to foster an environment where everyone feels welcomed, safe and respected.
President of Friends of ABC Park, the new Parks Build Community project, discusses what keeps him motivated to volunteer every day after 17 years.
New York City is continuing to transform former industrial waterfronts into publicly accessible spaces.
The intentionality of how you plan, design and measure is critical for building more inclusive and healthy places.
There is a concern that park investments can lead to displacement of existing residents by attracting new, wealthier residents and increasing property values, a process called gentrification.
Since public parks typically are free and easily accessible, they represent a great means of bridging the digital divide.
Increasing diversity and inclusion on public lands has never been more important than it is today. If the upcoming generation does not feel connected to public lands, then it won’t cherish and protect them in the ways previous generations have.
Dreamers, DACA and immigrants use parks, schools, soccer and sports to build community
