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As the year draws to a close, we look ahead to what’s in store for the park and recreation field in 2025 and beyond. At the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference in Atlanta, NRPA President and CEO Kristine Stratton and I unveiled NRPA’s Strategic Plan 2025-29 and discussed how it will shape our work during the next five years. NRPA has been the voice of the park and recreation field for nearly 60 years, and with a network of more than 60,000 park and recreation professionals we are positioned to guide the field toward a future where everyone experiences belonging, well-being and joy through parks and recreation.
To achieve this vision, NRPA will catalyze the power of parks and recreation to deliver transformative community and environmental benefits by championing the profession to lead through education, advocacy and partnerships. Four key goal areas ground the strategic plan: systems change, leadership, durable funding and organizational excellence. By championing systems change, park and recreation professionals can connect all community members with the resources they need to achieve holistic wellness and improve the lives of individuals across the seven dimensions of well-being. A focus on leadership guides NRPA’s efforts to prepare, promote and support park and recreation professionals as community impact leaders. The drive for durable funding will lead to an increase in equitable investment in parks and recreation, recognizing it as critical community infrastructure. Meanwhile, organizational excellence leads us to advance the tools, training and talent within NRPA to drive excellence and effectiveness. Each of these aspects of the strategic plan are aligned with NRPA’s Three Pillars, recently refreshed to align with our work: Health and Well-Being, Equity, and Environmental Resilience.
Our vision for the future centers on inclusive, climate-resilient and thriving communities, and park and recreation agencies and professionals require dedicated resources and support from local, state and federal governments, as well as private organizations and advocates, to make this vision a reality. Our communities rely on parks and recreation for social connection, exercise, nutrition education, childcare and so much more. From a child’s first swim lesson to an older adult’s cherished walking club, parks and recreation provides individuals and communities with hubs for holistic well-being and inclusive spaces to connect with neighbors and friends. Park and recreation professionals are community impact leaders, and we want to ensure that they have the tools and resources to support healthy communities nationwide. I encourage you to learn more about NRPA’s Strategic Plan 2025-29 and stay tuned for updates here.
For those of you who joined us in Atlanta for the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference, thank you for gathering to attend sessions and special events, explore the exhibit hall, connect with colleagues and learn about our new strategic plan. Be sure to read “Revisiting the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference” on page 44, to look back on the conference. If you were unable to attend, this is a great opportunity to read about the highlights.
With so much in store for the future, I hope you are wrapping up 2024 with a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Together, we are looking forward to a new year full of potential.
Jesús Aguirre is Chair of the NRPA Board of Directors.