Parks & Recreation Magazine
For more than 50 years, Parks & Recreation magazine has helped park professionals serve the public. Through its pursuit of key issues, trends, and personalities, the magazine advances U.S. parks, recreation, and conservation efforts.
Open Space Blog & Podcast
Open Space is the official blog and podcast of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
NRPA Research Reports
Browse cutting-edge research papers commissioned by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The NRPA research papers present evidence on the important impact made by parks and recreation in local communities in America.
NRPA Park Metrics
NRPA Park Metrics is the most comprehensive source of data standards and insights for park and recreation agencies. These agency performance resources assist park and recreation professionals in the effective management and planning of their operating resources and capital facilities.
NRPA Park Pulse Surveys
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) polls U.S. residents to explore their views on topics related to the park and recreation field. Each poll targets 1,000 adults ages 18 and up, representing a cross-section of the population.
NRPA Parks Snapshot Surveys
In March 2020, NRPA began conducting weekly Parks Snapshot surveys to learn how park and recreation leaders from across the country are confronting the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to provide weekly data from the NRPA Parks Snapshot survey, as state and local guidance and ordinances regarding COVID-19 continue to change rapidly.
Journals
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), with its partner Routledge Taylor Francis Group, publishes two journals for the field of Parks and Recreation.
NRPA Facility Market Reports
NRPA Research Facility Market Reports offer an array of data that provides your agency with a greater understanding of the residents served by the facility, with a particular focus on their habits and interests.
Evaluation Resource Hub
NRPA's Evaluation Resource Hub helps park and recreation professionals and advocates measure the community impact of their agency’s amenities, offerings and services. Learn how you can make the case for more funding and demonstrate your value to your community and key stakeholders.
Park and Recreation Stories: Your story starts here
In 2022, NRPA began work on a video storytelling project with the goal of highlighting the history of the field and what it means to the millions of people it affects. Watch videos from dozens of professionals who bring the power of parks and recreation to life.
Best Practice Resources
Browse and download best practice guides, briefing papers, case studies, issue briefs, toolkits, frameworks, and other resources related to NRPA's programs and initiatives.
Parks and Recreation Is Essential
Parks and recreation and the professionals who make it happen are essential. NRPA offers five statements with supporting research that showcase the fundamental role of parks and recreation.
Equity in Practice Resource Library
NRPA works to ensure that everyone has fair and just access to quality parks and recreation. The Equity in Practice Resource Library is a set of vetted and carefully curated resources available to our members. This library includes various types of resources that support individual learning of equity concepts across park and recreation functions. Find resources using the categories: Guide and Tool; Article; Research and Data; Book and Chapter; and Podcast and Video.
Data and Mapping Resource Library
A wealth of free, data and mapping resources are available to assist your agency in broadening its impact on the community and operate more efficiently. The Data and Mapping Resource Library offers a collection of relevant, publicly available databases and visualizations curated for park and recreation professionals and advocates.
Email Newsletters
The National Recreation and Park Association regularly communicates with members through email newsletters that deliver cutting-edge stories and resources from the field.