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Open or CloseInfographics on Using Parks Safely
• Infographic on Physical Distancing in Parks and Trails (To copy or share the image, click on it to open the full size in a new tab, then right click the image and choose “save as” or copy and paste into a document.)
Public Parks Infographic | Spanish | French (Web JPG) Public Trails Infographic | Spanish | French (Web JPG) Public Parks Infographic | Spanish | French (Print JPG) Public Trails Infographic | Spanish | French (Print JPG)
Image Credit: National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) www.nrpa.orgNote, we've updated our language to say "physical distancing" instead of "social distancing" as it is a more accurate description and is the term recommended by the World Health Organization. Keeping physical distance is essential for mitigating the spread of COVID-19, but that doesn't mean we have to socially disconnect from one another.
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Open or CloseGeneral Resources
• Statement: Joint Statement on Using Parks and Open Space While Maintaining Physical Distancing, March 18, 2020
• CDC Guidance for Parks and Recreation: Resources for Parks and Recreational Facilities, April 11, 2020
• Blog: Park and Recreation Professionals Are Essential — and We Have Permission to Dream, May 13, 2020
• Blog: Centering Health Equity in COVID-19 Response and Recovery Plans, April 23, 2020
• Blog: CDC’s Face Covering Recommendation — Implications for Parks and Recreation, NRPA, April 6, 2020
• Blog: Access to Parks and the Outdoors is Crucial for Mental Health in Our Communities, NRPA, March 20, 2020
• Podcast: How Park and Recreation Leaders are Addressing Coronavirus — Episode 61, NRPA March 10, 2020
• Health.gov: Staying Active While Social Distancing: Questions and Answers, April 7, 2020
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Open or ClosePark, Facility and Playground Resources
• Statement: The National Recreation and Park Association Statement on Playgrounds and Play Structures During COVID-19 Pandemic, NRPA, March 30, 2020
• Blog: A Park Planner’s Perspective on the COVID-19 Pandemic, NRPA, April 8, 2020
• Blog: How to Communicate to Your Public About Safe Use of Parks, NRPA, April 1, 2020
• Blog: What Does #PhysicalDistancingInParks Look Like?, NRPA, March 26, 2020
• Blog: Keeping a Safe Physical Distance in Parks and on Trails During the COVID-19 Pandemic, NRPA, March 16, 2020
CDC Recommendations on Cleaning and Disinfection
• Cleaning and Disinfection for Community Facilities
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Open or CloseOperations Resources
• Podcast: The Importance of Collaboration During COVID-19, NRPA, April 23, 2020
• Webinar: Continuity Planning and Emergency Management, NRPA, April 1, 2020
• Blog: New COVID-19 Research Supports Time Spent Outdoors – How Will This Influence Local Parks and Recreation?, May 14, 2020
• Blog: Triage, Transition, Transformation, May 14, 2020
• Blog: Self-Care in Uncertain Times: Boosting Staff Morale and Managing Stress During COVID-19, NRPA, April 7, 2020
• Blog: FEMA Emergency Declaration: Public Assistance for COVID-19 Financial Impacts, NRPA, March 16, 2020
• Blog: Urban Park and Recreation Leaders Discuss Fast-Evolving Impacts of the Coronavirus Pandemic, NRPA, March 13, 2020
• NIH: Training Resources for Protecting Yourself from COVID-19 in the Workplace
• OSHA: Guidance on COVID-19
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Open or CloseEssential Program Resources
Older Adults
• Blog: Supporting Older Adults During COVID-19, NRPA, April 20, 2020
• Blog: Tips for Helping Older Adults Maintain Good Health at Home, NRPA, April 3, 2020
• Blog: COVID-19 and Older Adults: Assisting Our Most Vulnerable Population, NRPA, March 16, 2020
Nutrition Programs
• Blog: Child Meal Waivers Extended Through Summer, NRPA, May 15, 2020
• Blog: Farmers Markets and COVID-19, NRPA, April 23, 2020
• Blog: Clarifications Issued on Child Nutrition Programs, NRPA, April 16, 2020
• Webinar: Serving Meals During COVID-19: Out-of-School Time Partners, FRAC, March 24, 2020
Use password ostCOVID19 to access.
Youth and Families
• Blog: Protecting Child Health and Wellbeing During COVID-19, NRPA, March 26, 2020
• Blog: Tips From NRPA’s Conservation Team During the COVID-19 Pandemic, NRPA, March 25, 2020
• Blog: Resources to Engage Families Through Wellness and Nature, NRPA/Alliance for a Healther Generation, March 25, 20
• Blog: COVID-19 in Parks and Recreation: Supporting Community Health and Wellbeing During an Outbreak, NRPA, March 12, 2020
• Guidance on Childcare from CDC.
If you re-purpose your facility as an emergency or temporary child care center, please follow CDC guidance for administrators of child care programs and K-12 schools. Be sure to follow state and local childcare licensing policies and regulations. Specifically, all facilities should continue to adhere to their state and local licensing policies unless otherwise notified by their local health department. Guidance may also be provided by the department of education and/or department of health in your state, city or locality.
• Guidance on Camps from the American Camp Association.
The American Camp Association continues to monitor what the impact of COVID-19 will be on summer camps. ACA has created a COVID-19 Resource Center for camps. You can access sample planning tools, including contingency plans, marketing and communications resources, virtual programming resources, and more. ACA also has a page dedicated to health and wellness resources specific for COVID-19. This includes valuable information and tools like screening forms, templates for communicable disease plans, strategies to minimize potential for communicable diseases occurring, and other great resources from the Association of Camp Nursing. While many of these resources are more applicable for overnight camps, they can be used to inform planning strategies for summer day camps as well.
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Open or CloseAquatics Resources
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Extended Hot Tub/Spa Closures
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Guidance for Building Water Systems
• World Health Organization (WHO): Water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management for COVID-19 | Technical Brief (PDF)
• Blog: Virtual In-Service: What it Means and How it Works, NRPA, April 23, 2020
• Blog: Aquatics Programming Goes Digital, NRPA, April 14, 2020
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Open or CloseUnique Community Engagement Resources
• Blog: Older Americans Month: Recreation Coordinator Considers Senior Center Patrons Her Family, NRPA, May 7, 2020
• Blog: Lights, Camera, Action…Coronavirus?, NRPA, May 7, 2020
• Blog: Six Ways Parks and Recreation Is Celebrating Earth Day, NRPA, April 22, 2020
• Podcast: Safely Celebrate Earth Day with Parks and Recreation, NRPA, April 21, 2020
• Blog: “In-Home Recreation” Helps People in Whitemarsh Township Continue to Play, NRPA, April 9, 2020
• Podcast: Celebrating 150 Years of Golden Gate Park, Virtually, NRPA, April 7, 2020
• Blog: Park and Recreation Agencies Step Up to Provide Meals During COVID-19 Pandemic, NRPA, March 19, 2020
• Jefferson Co. Parks and Recreation (WV) offers virtual events during virus outbreak
• City of Watsonville (CA) Virtual Recreation Center
• Farmers Branch (TX) Community Recreation Center "See You Soon" Video
• Grapevine Parks and Recreation (TX) 3-Minute Workout
- Open or CloseAdditional Resources
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Open or CloseNRPA Response to COVID-19
NRPA is following the CDC employer response recommendations for our offices as well as NRPA-sponsored events. We have eliminated non-essential travel and our staff is teleworking for the foreseeable future.
• The NRPA Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida has been cancelled. NRPA is committed to the professional growth and ongoing development of park and recreation professionals, so we will pivot to designing a virtual conference that will enable us to provide education sessions, product spotlights and networking opportunities making the conference as inclusive as possible. We will share more details as they become available. Read NRPA's statement regarding the 2020 NRPA Annual Conference.
• Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) and Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) courses have moved to blended learning and virtual course formats respectively. Please visit www.nrpa.org/cpsi and www.nrpa.org/afo to find more information on how to become a CPSI or AFO.