National Recreation and Park Association

The National Recreation and Parks Association

☰MENU
  • About
  • Join
  • Connect
  • Shop
  • Login
  • Donate
  • Our Work
    • Grant and Fundraising Resources
    • Strategic Plan 2025-2029
    • Our Three Pillars
      • Health and Well-Being
      • Equity
      • Environmental Resilience
    • Advocacy
      • Legislative Platform
      • The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
      • Park and Recreation Month
      • Take Action
      • Park Champion™ Initiative
      • Community Project Funding Is Essential for Park Projects
    • NRPA Awards
      • About NRPA's Awards
      • Innovation Awards
      • Spotlight Awards
      • Scholarships and Fellowships
      • 30 Under 30
      • Robert W Crawford Hall of Fame
      • National Gold Medal Award
    • Scholarships and Fellowships
    • Parks Build Community
    • Building a Movement
      • Parks and Recreation Is Essential
    • NRPA Partnerships
      • Initiatives
      • How to Partner
    • Aquatics
    • Playgrounds
    • Urban Parks
    • Success Stories
    • Volunteer with NRPA
    • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

    NRPA's annual Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz, held each year in September, is a great way to educate your community about pollinators, gain knowledge about local species and make your parks more sustainable. Plus, you could win one of three $1,000 prizes or prize packs just for participating.

  • Careers
    • Jobs in Parks and Recreation
      • Career Center
      • Choosing a Career in Parks and Recreation
      • Peer to Peer Career Advice
    • NRPA Digital Badges

    NRPA Online Learning is a cost-effective and flexible way to educate staff, provide training and earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) without leaving the comfort of your home or office.

  • Education
  • Certification
    • Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Certification
      • Become a CPRP
      • Renew Your CPRP Certification
      • CPRP Exam
      • CPRP Prep Materials and Resources
      • CPRP Registry
      • CPRP Frequently Asked Questions
    • Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Certification
      • Become a CPSI
      • CPSI Course Calendar
      • Renew Your CPSI Certification
      • Become a CPSI Instructor
      • Host a CPSI Course
      • CPSI Prep Materials and Resources
      • CPSI Registry
    • Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) Certification
      • Become a CPRE
      • Renew Your CPRE Certification
      • CPRE Exam
      • CPRE Prep Materials and Resources
      • CPRE Registry
      • CPRE Frequently Asked Questions
    • Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) Certification
      • Become an AFO
      • AFO Course Calendar
      • Renew Your AFO Certification
      • Become an AFO Instructor
      • Host an AFO Course
      • AFO Prep Materials and Resources
      • AFO Registry
    • CAPRA Agency Accreditation
    • NRPA Digital Badges
    • CPRP and CPRE Eligibility Requirements

    Becoming a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) will not only keep your expertise fresh, but also help you achieve greater health, resilience and equity outcomes in your community.

  • Conference & Events
    • NRPA Annual Conference
      • Exhibit at the Conference
    • Earth Month
    • Industry Calendar
    • Park and Recreation Month
      • Park and Recreation Month Toolkit
      • Proclaim July as Park and Recreation Month In Your Community
      • Park and Recreation Professionals Day
    • Family Health & Fitness Day
    • Mental Health Awareness Month
    • Family Health & Fitness Day Events

     

    Learn more about the 2025 NRPA Annual Conference, taking place September 16-18, 2025 in Orlando!

  • Publications & Research
    • Parks & Recreation Magazine
      • Ezine Edition
      • Advertising
    • Parks & Recreation Online Field Guide
    • Open Space Blog & Podcast
    • NRPA Research Reports
      • Summer Seasonal Hiring Report
    • NRPA Park Metrics
    • NRPA Park Pulse Surveys
      • At Peace in Local Parks
      • Finding Your Green Thumb
      • Informing the Local Community
      • Employee Benefits That Benefit All
      • Support for Monitoring Systems
    • NRPA Parks Snapshot Surveys
    • Journals
    • NRPA Facility Market Reports
    • Evaluation Resource Hub
      • Defining Data
    • Park and Recreation Stories: Your story starts here
    • Best Practice Resources
    • Parks and Recreation Is Essential
    • Equity in Practice Resource Library
    • Data and Mapping Resource Library
    • Press Room
    • Email Newsletters

    Open Space Radio is a biweekly podcast that covers the latest trends and news in the field of parks and recreation and aims to cover unique and interesting stories.

  • Profile
Call for Proposals Web Slider.png

Interested in presenting at the 2025 NRPA Annual Conference? Submit your proposal by December 17.

Learn more
Health and Wellness Illinois Goat January 2023.jpg

Leading the nation to improved health and well-being through parks and recreation.

Learn More
Equity Missouri Sled Hockety January 2023.jpg

Ensuring all people have access to the benefits of local parks and recreation.

Learn More
Conservation Houston Volunteer January 2023.jpg

Protecting open space, connecting children to nature and engaging communities through activities that support environmental resilience

Learn More
  • 2022 conference teaser 410

    2024 NRPA Annual Conference

    The NRPA Annual Conference is the premier annual meeting of the park and recreation community. Join thousands of people who are passionate about parks and recreation and making their communities great places for inspirational education sessions, energetic discussions and an inside look at the latest products for the field.

    Learn More

  • City of Mesa Parks Recreation and Commercial Facilities 2

    Equity

    Fostering social connection and belonging

    Learn More

  • APR2024 cover

    NRPA Agency Performance Review

    The 2024 NRPA Agency Performance Review is the most comprehensive resource of data and insights for park and recreation agencies in the United States. The report highlights the most critical park and recreation metrics collected from the NRPA Park Metrics database.

    Access the Report

  • Parks Snapshot blog 410

    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.

    Read more

  • health washing hands 410b

    NRPA Response to COVID-19

    NRPA continues to monitor developments as well as federal, state and local responses to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We are following the CDC employer response recommendations for our offices as well as NRPA-sponsored events. This webpage will contain the most up-to-date information on our response and resources as we have them available.

    Read more

  • parks funding grants 410

    Grant and Fundraising Resources

    NRPA periodically posts information about grants and fundraising opportunities available for park and recreation agencies, affiliated groups and nonprofits.

    Learn More

of

Improving the health of communities for all people through parks, recreation and conservation.


Parks and Recreation - For the Lives of Millions.

pr1124_Cover web

The Magazine

ISSUE OVERVIEW:

Headlines

Philadelphia's Rebuild Initiative

Connecting With Communities

Trees and a Different Kind of Green

Read This Issue

Advertisement

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)

22377 Belmont Ridge Rd
Ashburn, VA 20148-4501
PH: 800.626.NRPA (6772)

Contact Us
Press Inquiries
Privacy Policy

Parks & Recreation Field Guide

Parks & Recreation Field Guide

The Field Guide delivers suppliers, vendors and service providers to park and recreation agencies throughout the United States and Canada.

Learn More

Engage With Us

XClose