For an enhanced digital experience, read this story in the ezine.
As I write this month’s column, NRPA staff are hard at work preparing for the field’s most anticipated event of the year, the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference in Atlanta. As you can imagine, many details go into planning and organizing such an expansive gathering of park and recreation professionals from across the country. But that doesn’t hinder our excitement about seeing our friends in the park and recreation community. It’s our chance to personally thank you for making your communities better by providing accessible green spaces, recreation programming and local services that encourage everyone to find their place of belonging.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking one on one with this year’s Opening General Session keynote speaker, Dan Buettner, about his work and travels across the globe to study blue zones — which he explains are geographically defined areas with a population that lives measurably longer in comparison to most of the global population. For more than 20 years, Buettner has done extensive research on blue zones, interviewing and learning from centenarians, those living to 100 and beyond, to understand how their healthy life choices and experiences impact their longevity and overall level of happiness. One point that resonated with me while interviewing this bestselling author and blue zone expert, is the simple fact that these active older adults make family and community connection a priority. “If you look at all the data on longevity and happiness, they all converge on having a group of four or five friends who are healthy in the first place, who you can have meaningful conversations with, and who care about you ….” Buettner asserts in the cover story, “Dan Buettner Shares the Secrets to Longevity,” on page 42. He adds that when you combine personal connection with a healthy diet and daily physical activity, especially in parks, “it’s worth about 10 extra years of life expectancy.”
City of Brentwood, Missouri, not only aimed to make its local park more environmentally resilient to the elements, but also create an outdoor gathering hub that encourages community connection and enjoyment. In the feature article, “From Flood Mitigation to Fun,” on page 50, contributor Sophie Spaid chronicles the planning and thought process behind the transformation of Brentwood Park.
The residents of Oak Grove, a neighborhood located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, also have a newly accessible and inviting place, Lynnbrook Park, to socialize with family and friends, engage in healthy activities and recreate in nature. In the article, “Lynnbrook Park Builds Community,” on page 56, Associate Editor Alexandra Reynolds shares insights from community stakeholders, sponsors and our NRPA colleagues about the completion of our 2021 Parks Build Community project and this collaborative journey toward creating a place where everyone truly belongs.
Lastly, the Magazine team looks forward to seeing you in Atlanta, October 8-10. Be sure to stop by the NRPA Member Area, Booth #1959, to pick up a copy (or two) of this special conference edition and share the topics you would like to read about in Parks & Recreation magazine.
Vitisia Paynich is Executive Editor of Parks & Recreation Magazine and Director of Print and Online Content at NRPA.