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My Story at the NRPA Annual Conference: Where You Belong and Where You Grow
By Eric López, CPRE | Posted on July 16, 2024
Eric López, CPRE, the district superintendent for City of Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department, shares how the NRPA Annual Conference has played a critical role in some of his most important professional decisions since attending for the first time in 2018.
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Beyond Green Spaces: Parks as Catalysts for Equity and Inclusion
By Tiff Cunin | Posted on July 10, 2024
Have you ever wondered about the power you hold in parks and recreation, and how you can use that power as a catalyst for moving towards greater equity in your community? If so, I think you are ready to apply for NRPA’s Equity in Practice Certificate Program!
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5 Tips for Building a Teen Leadership Program
By Cassie Paddock, CPRP | Posted on June 18, 2024
Starting a teen leadership program is a chance to equip the next generation with skills, confidence and a sense of responsibility. Here are five practical tips to help you create a successful teen leadership program.
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Are You Taking Advantage of NRPA’s Volunteer Opportunities?
By Jay Tryon, CPRP | Posted on June 7, 2024
Jay Tryon, CPRP, the deputy director for City of Concord Parks & Recreation, shares how NRPA's various volunteer opportunities have impacted his career.
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Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Recreation
By Tim Herd, CPRE | Posted on May 30, 2024
Tim Herd, CPRE, CEO of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, reflects on a provoking thought exercise with his counterparts from other states in which they attempted to develop an alternate term for “recreation and parks.”
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Legacy Binders: Empowering Employees for Success
By Hannah Rathje | Posted on May 16, 2024
Hannah Rathje's recent transition into the community recreation supervisor position introduced her to a game-changing resource: the "Legacy Binder.”
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Building Belonging: Neurodivergent Perspectives in Parks and Recreation (Part 2) — Episode 154
By Cort Jones and Christina High | Posted on May 14, 2024
On this episode of Open Space Radio, we chat with Tammy Schwab, manager of education and outreach for the resource management division of Fairfax County Park Authority, and John McGovern, principal-in-charge for The WT Group, LLC Accessibility Practice.
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Embracing Opportunities for Growth
By Tiffany Johnson, Ph.D., CPRP | Posted on April 26, 2024
Dr. Tiffany Johnson writes about the importance of volunteering and the great potential for growth because of it.
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Networking Strategies for Advancing Your Career in Parks and Recreation
By Rachel Smith, MBA, CPRP | Posted on April 17, 2024
In the dynamic world of parks and recreation, building a robust network can be the key to unlocking exciting opportunities and advancing your career. Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned professional looking for further challenges, strategic networking is an essential tool for success.
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The Growing Influence of Young Professionals in Parks and Recreation
By Colton Patak | Posted on March 20, 2024
It’s important for young professionals to share their insights and ideas because they bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the industry and statistics show that the number of young professionals in parks and recreation is increasing, with a growing number of individuals under the age of 35 joining the field.
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NRPA Announces Million Coaches Challenge Grant to Champion Positive Youth Development
By Allison Colman and Teresa Morrissey | Posted on March 15, 2024
Through the Million Coaches Challenge, NRPA is partnering with leading national training providers to ensure park and recreation agencies have access to no-cost, high-quality training programs. These training opportunities focus on two key areas — social and emotional learning (SEL) and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) — to complement and enhance existing training and ensure all people interacting with youth have essential skills to promote relationship building, leadership and teamwork, cultural humility, conflict resolution, unconscious bias, building understanding, and more.
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Park and Recreation Stories: Your Story Starts Here
By Cara Myers | Posted on March 13, 2024
NRPA's new video-storytelling project, Park and Recreation Stories, aims to capture the memories and insights of park and recreation professionals, as well as commemorate significant events experienced by NRPA members, partners and advocates. The initiative promotes the voice of the people who have dedicated their lives to the field of parks and recreation for the purpose of creating strong, healthy and vibrant communities across this country.
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NRPA Offers Strategies for Inclusive Instructor Recruitment in Park and Recreation Programs
By Natalia Ospina | Posted on February 5, 2024
NRPA’s Healthy Aging Team has developed a resource, “Representation Matters: Strategies to Diversify Instructor Recruitment,” with eight strategies agencies can use to diversify instructor recruitment.
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Lead Her Forward: Creating a Culture of Women Coaches
By Nelson Musselman | Posted on February 1, 2024
Celebrated on February 7, National Girls and Women in Sports Day® honors the achievements of girls and women in sports, while also acknowledging that we must continue to advocate for gender equity. Here are five ways your agency can create a culture of women coaching.
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Imposter Syndrome Is Real — Episode 149
By Cort Jones and Cara Myers | Posted on January 9, 2024
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, Gabby Vera, CPRP, the regional park superintendent for Maricopa County (Arizona) Parks and Recreation, shares strategies she's used to overcome imposter syndrome and more!
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A Personalized and Flexible Approach to Continuous Learning in 2024
By NRPA Professional Development Team | Posted on January 4, 2024
In 2024, park and recreation professionals can look forward to opportunities from NRPA to learn at their own pace and focus on areas most relevant to them.
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Parks Providing Opportunities: A Young Professional’s Testimony
By Chandler Nobles, MS, CPRP | Posted on December 13, 2023
Chandler Nobles, athletics supervisor at Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks & Recreation Authority, shares how a career in parks and recreation has given him opportunities that he otherwise would have never had
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Building Belonging: Neurodivergent Perspectives in Parks and Recreation (Part I) — Episode 148
By Cort Jones and Christina High | Posted on December 5, 2023
On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, we're discussing neurodiversity with by Kande Jones, the development director for Mulvane Recreation Commission in Kansas, and Dave McDaniel, the operations coordinator for City of Mobile Parks and Recreation in Alabama.