CPRE: A Certification to Help You Be Better
By John Roche, CPRE | Posted on January 17, 2025
A challenge to take the CPRE exam and "be better" in this field from John Roche, CPRE, the manager of recreation, parks & community services and the aquatics director for Crystal Springs Family Waterpark in Township of East Brunswick, New Jersey.
Inspiring Youth Through Neil Postman’s 3 A’s
By Rebecca Ortiz | Posted on January 16, 2025
As park and recreation professionals, we must bring about curiosity, encourage critical thinking and inspire youth to be a part of the community so that they may desire to maintain and improve it.
Mastering Essential Skills in Park and Recreation-Based Workforce Development
By Ron Schmidt | Posted on January 13, 2025
The City of Columbia, Missouri's career readiness program, aims to prepare Columbia’s youth for the workforce and for becoming productive, self-sufficient citizens by providing comprehensive services that include essential skill development.
Thank Your Mentor Day: Stories of Impact from STRONGkids
By Sarah Mendieta | Posted on January 10, 2025
In Dickinson, North Dakota, the Best Friends Mentoring Program has partnered with Dickinson Parks and Recreation to create a program for youth in 6th-8th grade.
From Plans to Parks: Learning from Lewisville
By Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP | Posted on January 8, 2025
Clement Lau reflects on what he learned during a 2024 NRPA Annual Conference session about addressing park access challenges in an underserved area in Lewisville, Texas.
Nature and ParkRx: A Pathway for Health
By The National Physical Activity Plan’s Community Sector Committee | Posted on December 20, 2024
ParkRx programs are designed to bridge the gap between healthcare, parks and recreation, and the community to promote engagement in outdoor activity.
Five Ways to Expand Accessibility in Outdoor Workforce Development
By Kailey White | Posted on December 19, 2024
Explore innovative strategies to make outdoor spaces and training more accessible, ensuring every youth has the opportunity to connect with nature, build valuable skills, and envision a career in the recreation industry.
Recycling in Philadelphia: A Green Journey Through Urban Spaces
By Barbara Kapustin | Posted on December 18, 2024
Recycling in Philadelphia is more than managing waste — it's creating a more connected, sustainable urban ecosystem where discarded items have the potential for renewal and repurpose.
Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Inspiring Park and Recreation Stories — Episode 164
By Cort Jones, Christina High, Cara Myers | Posted on December 17, 2024
On our final Open Space Radio episode of the year, we're reflecting on our memories from 2024 and listening back to some of our favorite conversations.
Three Wins for Community Health
By The National Physical Activity Plan’s Community Sector Committee | Posted on December 11, 2024
Three Wins is a concept that provides free exercise classes at local parks to support individual and community health and gives kinesiology students an internship opportunity to polish their skills in exercise training.
A Blueprint for Change: Supporting Healthy Aging Through Parks and Recreation
By Natalia Ospina | Posted on December 6, 2024
NRPA has developed a Healthy Aging Framework to help park and recreation agencies leverage their strengths, relationships and resources to advance systems change approaches that support healthy aging.
Reflections on the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference: Insights, Inspiration and Connections
By Cara McLeod | Posted on December 5, 2024
Cara McLeod, the senior marketing communications analyst for City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, shares her experience at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference.
The National Physical Activity Plan’s Community Recreation, Fitness and Parks Sector
By The National Physical Activity Plan’s Community Sector Committee | Posted on December 3, 2024
The National Physical Activity Plan is a set of policies, programs and initiatives to help support physical activity in all segments of the United States population. One of the 10 physical activity sectors covers Community Recreation, Fitness and Parks (CRFP) with five distinct strategies.
Empowering Youth Through Parks and Recreation
By Cina Makres | Posted on November 25, 2024
New NRPA resources reveal guidance around promoting positive youth development by integrating elements of career exploration and community service into youth mentoring programs.
Sowing Seeds of Stewardship: Cultivating Youth Conservation Leaders in Taos, New Mexico
By Darien Fernandez | Posted on November 20, 2024
The three-person staff at Taos Land Trust would not be able to care for Rio Fernando Park without the help of a seasonal crew of youth and young adults, ages 14-25.
From Creation to Care: The Need for Ongoing and Additional Funding to Operate and Maintain Parks
By Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP | Posted on November 14, 2024
Despite significant benefits, parks often face critical challenges when it comes to funding for their ongoing operations and maintenance. However, ongoing and additional funding is imperative to ensure that parks remain safe, accessible and beneficial to all.
Sustainability and Environmental Resilience in Parks — Episode 163
By Cort Jones | Posted on November 8, 2024
On this Open Space Radio x GovLove collab episode, recorded live at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference, we discuss environmental resilience with Bernita Reese, director of Columbus Recreation and Parks, Ali Rhodes, director of City of Boulder Parks & Recreation, and Michele White. senior program manager at NRPA.
NRPA Board Member Rebecca Armstrong Reflects on NRPA’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan
By Rebecca Armstrong | Posted on November 5, 2024
This blog post highlights thoughts on NRPA's new strategic plan from Rebecca Armstrong, member of the NRPA board of directors.