Editors Letter

We Have the Power to Lift All Boats

Explore how investment in parks and recreation can benefit all communities.

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Parks and Recreation Helps Us All Find Our Place

Explore how park and recreation professionals are fostering connection, well-being and belonging.

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Encourage Nature Time Over Screen Time

Discover how play and time outdoors can improve health outcomes for children and adults alike.

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The Need for Human Interaction Transcends Age

Explore the importance of social connection at every age.

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Sustainability Means Walking the Talk

This issue's real-world case studies are a testament to our field's commitment to creating sustainable park and recreation infrastructure.

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A Year of Growth and Renewed Purpose

Reflect on the year's most inspiring and thought-provoking park and recreation stories.

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Data Leads Us to Larger Discussions

Discover how data can help park and recreation professionals plan for an equitable future.

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Shared Knowledge Helps Us to Be Our Best Selves

Discover how exchanging knowledge with our peers helps us build strong communities.

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Moving the Needle Toward Equity

Explore how we can advance equity and move forward to increase access to parks and recreation by examining our history.

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Inclusion Is Parks and Recreation’s Strength

Explore how parks and recreation draws strength from inclusion and cultivates a sense of belonging among community members.

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Elevating Our Physical and Mental Well-Being

This month's Health and Wellness issue highlights parks and recreation's critical role in providing services that enable all community members to elevate their physical and mental well-being.

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Making a Case for Renewable Energy Resources

Parks and recreation professionals champion conservation and combat climate change by re-envisioning their operations, planning strategies and design practices.

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Discovering Tomorrow’s Park and Recreation Leaders

The February issue focuses on the great work that leaders in the industry are doing, as well as different trends within parks and recreation.

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Changemakers Remind Us of the Bigger Picture

Rather than dwelling on insignificant matters, changemakers remain resolute to solving the bigger injustices related to race, gender and socioeconomics.

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Research and Nature’s Direct Link to Good Health

A common thread found throughout the pages of this month’s issue is how research continues to show why access to nature is critical to maintaining our health.

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Teaching Kids to Be Equity Leaders

By creating the framework for our communities and being positive role models for our youngest park and recreation patrons, we are teaching kids to be tomorrow’s equity leaders.

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What’s Your Funny Park and Recreation Story?

I’ll bet many members of our park and recreation community have some really memorable and fascinating stories just waiting to be shared with our magazine team.

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Real Equity Means Learning From Our Past

If we want to make a real difference in our work, we must learn from our past in order to create a more equitable future for our communities.

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Commit to Self-Care This Summer

As the school year draws to a close across the country, parks and recreation is preparing for what’s certain to be a very active — sometimes, demanding — three months.

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Shifting Our Thinking About Emergency Readiness

The more park and recreation professionals shift their thinking about emergency readiness, the more community members and local elected officials will see you for what you truly are — first responders.

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Inaction Is Not an Option

Engage with your own constituents, invite them into the climate change conversation, and discuss ways for making your communities more environmentally resilient.

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Community Engagement Should Be Key to Park Design

As stewards of the land and champions for public health and well-being, park and recreation professionals can create a world that is more equitable, inclusive and resilient.

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True Leadership Means Lifting Up Everyone

When it comes to community leadership, parks and recreation sets a very high bar.

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A New Year With New Insights and Fresh Ideas

The new year is a chance for thought leaders who have their finger on the pulse of emerging trends to share what they’ve gleaned.

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A Year of Optimism and Opportunity

I am optimistic that this strong sentiment and affection for parks will continue long after this pandemic ends.

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Research Presents the Bigger Picture

Research and evaluation enable us to make more informed decisions, especially when investing in parks and recreation.

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Think Inclusive, Not Exclusive

Today’s park and recreation projects challenge us to think differently about how we plan and design our open spaces.

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Seeing DEI Up Close

Seeing diversity, equity and inclusion up close and across the park and recreation community is both inspiring and noteworthy.

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Working Collectively Toward a Greater Purpose

This month’s issue highlights the projects that park and recreation professionals have been working on and reminds us about the importance of partnerships and volunteerism.

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Park and Recreation Month Resonates With People

This month’s Park and Recreation Month issue had Executive Editor Vi Paynich reflecting on her own personal connection to the field.

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Good Health Should Begin With Us

How can we, as park and recreation professionals, help community members maintain their overall health if we ignore our own health needs?

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Images Are a Window Into Your Community

As you market to local constituents, also consider promoting your park and recreation agency and community to a national audience.

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Make Earth Day Count

To celebrate April 22, encourage your community members to do their part by reducing their own carbon footprint.

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Inspired Park Design

Park and recreation professionals recognize the importance of designing open spaces that are accessible, inclusive and inviting to all.

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Passing the Torch

Our seasoned professionals have dedicated their careers to mentoring the next generation of park and recreation leaders.

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What Will the ‘New Normal’ Look Like in 2021?

While it is clear that P&R agencies have been forced to alter their operational practices during this global pandemic, what’s not clear is what the “new normal” will look like for the field.

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NRPA Rolls Out the Virtual Red Carpet

In this special 2020 NRPA Annual Conference issue, you'll find details about NRPA Virtual - from fun, interactive virtual events to engaging keynote speakers.

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Equity Is Not a State of Mind

Park and recreation professionals advocate for their community members by bringing attention to racial, economic and health inequities that exist in their communities.

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Renewing Our Sense of Nature

This health crisis has renewed our sense of nature and open spaces. It’s reminded us to truly appreciate our outdoor environment and understand how it contributes to our mental and physical health.

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Celebrating Our Park and Recreation Professionals

Our country is facing many challenges, and park and recreation professionals stand out as a beacon of hope for the progress that can be made to overcome these challenges.

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Maintaining a Healthy Outlook

Parks & Recreation magazine’s new executive editor, Vitisia “Vi” Paynich, reflects on the June issue and the challenges the field is facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Uncovering Disparities in the Age of COVID-19

Research shows that some populations are more impacted by COVID-19 than others, both by the disease itself and by the economic fallout. This imbalance of burden-bearing remains true for many of the issues the world faces today and will face in the coming months and years.

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Putting People into Park Design

Public parks serve as the ultimate equalizer by welcoming people — regardless of culture, race, age, abilities or income level — to recreate, experience and learn.

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Leading the Way

This month’s issue focuses on the ways park and recreation professionals can lead the conversation, the actions that advance our mission and enhance the quality of life for all as we navigate this new decade and the challenges in front of us.

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Reflecting on the Past, Preparing for the Future

We are excited to start the new year by continuing to celebrate the exceptional profession and people we serve, the good work you have accomplished and all the great things you have yet to do.

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The Importance of Conscious Design

At the core of our design process should always be the questions, “Who is this for?” and “How am I helping?”

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Telling Our Stories

Publishing editorial director, Gina Cohen, reflects on the November issue of Parks & Recreation.

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Social Equity: Forecasting for a Brighter Tomorrow

This year’s Social Equity issue focuses on the importance of making shared spaces welcoming and inclusive for all.

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Celebrating Parks and Recreation

The NRPA Annual Conference has officially arrived! It is now time to set goals for the upcoming year.

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Embracing Change

Whether it’s welcoming a new CEO or embarking on a new initiative, there’s always a mixture of excitement and anxiety – embrace it.

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