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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Exciting Updates to the Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) Certification Program

By Elizabeth Gonzales | Posted on October 3, 2024

NRPA is proud to announce new material for the AFO certification program was recently released on October 1. This includes the AFO Manual (8th edition), course PowerPoint, exam, and a new course offering — the AFO Blended Learning Course.

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Recreation as a Gateway to Youth Workforce Development

By Thennie Freeman | Posted on September 26, 2024

As the director of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), Thennie Freeman has a unique perspective on how youth programs can serve as a bridge to the District's workforce system.

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Roving Leaders: Decades of Empowering Youth in D.C. — Episode 161

By Christina High and Cort Jones | Posted on September 24, 2024

On this episode of Open Space Radio, we chat with Danielle Hunter, chief of D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation's Roving Leaders Program. Tune in to learn how this program is making an impact on youth in the nation's capital.

Listen Now

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New Resources to Support Farmers Markets in Parks and Recreation

By Maureen Neumann | Posted on September 11, 2024

NRPA is excited to share the Local Farmers Market Promotion Toolkit for park and recreation agencies. This toolkit supports agencies as they work with local partners to promote farmers markets and increase equitable food access solutions.

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Small Steps with Big Impact: An Introduction to NRPA’s Equity Quick Guides

By Autumn Saxton-Ross and Tiff Cunin | Posted on September 9, 2024

Sometimes it's challenging to know where to even start with diversity, equity and inclusion work. We're pleased to introduce a game-changing resource to assist in this work: the Equity Quick Guides.

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Be Prepared to Respond and Protect Your Community During Natural Disasters

By Teresa L. Penbrooke, PhD, CPRE | Posted on September 6, 2024

Hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods and other extreme weather events have become far too common. Are you and your agency prepared? September is Disaster Preparedness Month — the perfect time to prepare for disaster response and recovery.

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An Artful Approach to Disc Golf

By David Markham | Posted on August 14, 2024

On May 11, 2024, Johnson County Park and Recreation District cut the ribbon for the Art Nine Disc Golf Course, located at Shawnee Mission Park in Shawnee, Kansas, and it is already getting very positive feedback.

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Sustainability in Practice: A Collaborative Approach to Environmental Resilience

By Steph Whyte | Posted on August 7, 2024

In June, NRPA launched the first-of-its-kind Sustainability in Practice program, a 16-week immersive, cohort-style program for park professionals with a vested interest in building equitable environmental resilience in their communities.

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Why the Words We Use Matter

By Tiff Cunin | Posted on August 2, 2024

We are excited to announce the release of the second edition of the NRPA Equity Language Guide. The revised guide provides an expanded glossary of terms, an updated resource list, general writing advice and tips on how to best use the guide.

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Cutting Time Without Cutting Corners

By ePACT Network | Posted on August 1, 2024

ePACT Network shares how Prince William County (Virginia) improved experiences by streamlining everyday processes.

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“Where You Belong” Online: Increasing Web Equity and Accessibility for All

By Kaitlyn Kaufman | Posted on July 24, 2024

As of April 2024, the Department of Justice released updated regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This new rule requires all state and local government web and mobile content to meet certain Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Here's what you need to know.

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Earvin Magic Johnson Recreation Area Community Center

Decarbonization and the Role of Local Park Agencies

By Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP | Posted on July 22, 2024

Decarbonization is a critical component of global efforts to combat climate change and its associated impacts. Local park agencies, through their stewardship of parkland, promotion of sustainable practices, and engagement of communities, play an important role in advancing decarbonization at the local level.

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Parks and Recreation: Is It Like the Show?

By Rebecca Ortiz | Posted on July 17, 2024

Rebecca Ortiz, the athletics and rentals coordinator for City of Irving (Texas) Parks and Recreation Department, explores the question many park and recreation professionals receive: "Is working in parks and recreation like the show?"

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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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