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.
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.
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.
Trees for All
By Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP | Posted on October 28, 2024
In an increasingly urbanized world, the role of nature within our communities has never been more important. The need to integrate trees and green spaces is essential not only for environmental sustainability but also for the health and well-being of residents.
From Newcomer to Seasoned Professional: Navigating the NRPA Annual Conference — Episode 162
By Cort Jones and Cara Myers | Posted on October 1, 2024
On this episode of Open Space Radio, we chat with Jamiah Flagg, CPRP, the operations coordinator at Douglasville Parks and Recreation in Georgia. Tune in to hear about her 2023 NRPA Annual Conference experience and what she's looking forward to in 2024!
Continuing the Journey: The Seven Dimensions of Well-Being in Parks and Recreation
By Maureen Neumann | Posted on September 27, 2024
To better support park and recreation professionals as they advance the seven dimensions of well-being, we’ve created a set of new resources to help contextualize each dimension with sample strategies and examples from the field.
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.
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.
Creating Positive Team Culture Through DEI-Focused Coaching
By Charissa Hipp and Rosa Riley | Posted on September 18, 2024
A diversity, equity and inclusion lens must be present in your youth sports programs and coaching styles to ensure equitable access and positive youth development through sports participation.
Parks as a Cornerstone of Sustainability
By Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP | Posted on September 13, 2024
By supporting the creation and expansion of green spaces, the OurCounty Plan demonstrates Los Angeles County’s commitment to building a more resilient and inclusive county.
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.
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.
Game Changers: How Coaches Can Support Youth Beyond the Scoreboard
By Charissa Hipp and Rosa Riley | Posted on September 4, 2024
Coaches play a crucial role in the lives of athletes, both on and off the field, starting at a young age. Yet less than one third of the country’s six million coaches have been trained in helping kids thrive; most coach training is focused on winning games.
Positive Sports Culture Starts with Coaches: FREE Training in Atlanta This October 7
By Rosa Riley | Posted on August 29, 2024
If you’re a youth-serving professional looking to develop or improve your skills, join us for the “Building Resilience Through Sport” workshop this October 7 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
From Access to Action: How We Can Thrive Like a Meadow — Episode 159
By Cort Jones and Christina High | Posted on August 20, 2024
On this episode of Open Space Radio, we chat with José Gonzáles, the founder of Latino Outdoors, an organization working to bridge the gap and create more inclusive and accessible outdoor experiences and opportunities for Latino communities.
Elevating Youth Voices for a Sustainable Future
By Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP | Posted on August 16, 2024
In recent years, the growing impacts of climate change have galvanized youth across the globe to demand action and advocate for sustainable policies. In Los Angeles County, this movement has been embodied by the establishment of the Youth Climate Commission.