Fostering social connection and belonging
NRPA strives for a future where all people have access to the benefits of quality parks and recreation. Difference — in race, ethnicity, gender, identity, religion, socioeconomic status, age, language, or physical or mental abilities — meets on the playground. These differences are magnified by systemic inequities, creating different lived experiences. Park and recreation professionals are uniquely positioned to address these challenges when they center equity in their programs, policies and practices. NRPA supports park and recreation professionals by providing opportunities for them to practice putting equity into action, as well as learn from and with each other, to advance equitable outcomes.
Equity in Parks and Recreation
Equity is central to all of NRPA’s work as an organization. Below are few examples of where we have centered equity to support park and recreation professionals in their work to create fair and just park and recreation systems.
Explore NRPA’s DEI Quick Guides, designed to help park and recreation professionals implement inclusive policies and practices. From swimwear attire to event naming and reducing hiring bias, these resources offer practical steps for meaningful change. Click below to learn more and access the full guides.
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NRPA works to ensure that everyone has fair and just access to quality parks and recreation. The Equity in Practice Resource Library is a set of vetted and carefully curated resources available to our members. This library includes various types of resources that support individual learning of equity concepts across park and recreation functions. Find resources using the categories: Guide and Tool; Article; Research and Data; Book or Chapter; and Podcast/Video.
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This story map explores United States history, the evolution of parks and recreation and urban planning, and how it brought us to the inequities in access to parks and recreation today. This is part one of a two-part resource. The second piece will outline strategies to address inequities in park access coming in 2022.
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NRPA’s Equity Language Guide is a glossary of terms to help park and recreation professionals develop a common language around diversity, equity and inclusion. It also provides guidance to help people become familiar with terms they may not be aware of and best practices for making your writing accessible. This is a living document and will change frequently. Please bookmark and return to this page so you always have access to the latest version.
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NRPA's Equity Action Plan provides a framework for how we are strengthening our organizational culture and practices centered around equity and our core values of trust, continuous learning, diversity and inclusion.
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This interactive framework guides local park and recreation professionals in applying an equity lens to system-wide operations, programs and services.
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NRPA works to ensure that all people have access to the benefits of local parks and recreation. To achieve this, NRPA has made a formal commitment to the Partnership for Inclusive Health’s Commit to Inclusion initiative.
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Parks Build Community is a national initiative demonstrating the transformative value of parks on the health and vitality of communities across America. Each year, NRPA conducts a complete park makeover in partnership with park equipment manufacturers and community organizations within the city hosting the NRPA Annual Conference.
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Through financial support of innovative solutions, park and recreation professionals have created new systems to re-distribute financial resources in their communities to support vulnerable communities.
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NRPA’s Equitable Grantmaking Policy guides the organization’s grantmaking and aims to ensure that our grant opportunities (e.g., funding, training and in-kind donations) positively benefit communities — particularly communities that have historically experienced disinvestment by government and philanthropy.
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Learn more about NRPA's other initiatives aimed at improving access to parks and recreation for all people.
Equity Resources
Every day, in communities across the country, the people of parks and recreation are making their communities better places to live, work and play. We are building a nation-wide movement of support for their critical work and want you to join us.
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A system-wide park master plan is a tool that can help us understand the history and current barriers to park access and set a vision and plan to remove these inequities and ensure parks and open space are providing the most benefit to communities.
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NRPA, in partnership with the Willamette Partnership, developed a suite of resources for park and recreation professionals and partners to address the inequitable climate-related health impacts and advocate for solutions.
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Local park and recreation agencies work diligently to ensure all people have access to and feel welcome in the places, programs and facilities that make their lives and communities great. Equitable and inclusive community engagement is central to this vision and is fundamental to establishing quality parks that meet the needs of all people.
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Local park and recreation agencies provide ample opportunities for youth to build positive social connections. Through Mentoring in Parks and Rec, NRPA supports agencies in their efforts to build effective and evidence-based mentorship programs that connect youth with caring and compassionate mentors while strengthening connections across community.
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The DEI Network is a community on NRPA Connect for park and recreation professionals to share and collaborate on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives at their park and recreation agencies. The network hosts discussions via Zoom every other month.
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Equity Language Guide
Parks for Inclusion
Creating Equity-Based System Master Plans
Community Engagement Resource Guide
Mentoring in Parks and Rec