National Recreation and Park Association

For more than 50 years, our annual conference has been the premier meeting of the park and recreation community. Attendees get an inside look at the latest products and services at our interactive Exhibit Hall, have the chance to connect with colleagues and experts in the field, and have access to hundreds of CEU sessions. Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/4aHPlBi #PowerOfParks #NRPAConference2024 #WhereYouBelong #ParksAndRec #Parks #Recreation #Education #Health #Wellness #Conservation #Equity

Park and recreation agencies serve as an accessible hub for individuals of all ages and are dedicated to addressing the diverse interests of their community members. Within this environment is the increasing presence of older adults, an essential part of communities across the country. Despite agency challenges such as navigating budget constraints, managing facility issues, addressing the remaining impacts of COVID-19 and promoting engagement across various communities, park and recreation agencies uphold their commitment to providing meaningful support and programming for community members of all ages. In the survey conducted for the Supporting Older Adults Through Parks and Recreation report, agencies were candid about the primary challenges they face in providing support to their older adult residents. Read the full article from Allie Ziegler, research assistant at NRPA: https://bit.ly/3R8249s #OlderAmericasMonth #ParksAndRec #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #Parks #Recreation #Survey #NRPAResearch

As part of its commitment to conserve 30% of lands and coastal waters by 2030, Los Angeles County can use land regeneration, transforming oilfields and brownfields into parks and community gardens. #PowerOfParks https://lnkd.in/eM-NnFYJ

Join us for our June Sandbox 📚 Engage in lively discussions, exchange valuable advice on surveying techniques and share strategies to enhance recreation professionals' programs, partnerships and advocacy work. Join your peers in the park and recreation field for this collaborative experience where ideas and insights are shared, connections are made and enhanced community connections are built. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3V0InBD #NRPAEducation #ParksAndRec #PowerOfParks #Recreation #Education #Parks

Next week we are celebrating Family Health and Fitness Day 🤸♂️ This year we will be uplifting the important role parks and recreation plays in keeping communities healthy on June 8th. Park and recreation agencies everywhere are encouraged to participate by sharing ways families can get active. Whether through participating in virtual programs at home or in their local parks. If you are looking for additional support to promote your Family Health & Fitness Day event, register your event with us! This year, we are compiling a list of Family Health & Fitness Day celebrations to share with park users across the country! Learn more: https://bit.ly/4dZjYVS #FamilyHealthDay #NRPAFamilyHealthDay #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #ParksAndRec #Health #Wellness #Parks #Recreation

Phil Ginsburg, general manager of San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, shares, “We talk a lot about the health benefits of parks. And for good reason — research has established that parks play a key role in a community’s mental health. They promote inclusion and access. They put people in touch with fresh air, nature and each other. As parks leaders, we have always been aware of the critical role parks and recreation [plays] in citizens’ happiness and well-being, and we’ve done a good job of spreading the message. But when it comes to our own teams, mental health hasn’t received the same attention.” Read the full article from Allison Colman, Senior Director of Programs at NRPA, to learn what workers need, action steps, and more: https://bit.ly/3KgW5vr As May wraps up, reflect on how your agency has improved the mental wellbeing of your community, celebrate your work, and ask yourself if you provide that same safe space to your staff. This work matters each and every day, for everyone, not just park patrons. #PowerOfParks #MentalHealthMonth #ParksAndRec #ParksAndRecMagazine #Parks #Recreation #MentalHealth

Today is World Hunger Day, and we wanted to highlight three stories from agencies working to increase food access in their communities... The City of Shawnee, Kansas, Parks and Recreation Department operates a monthly Mobile Wellness Hub. Where they share free food through a mobile food bank, make referrals, get screenings and support, have fun with play equipment, and truly build community. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4bSXcgl Chicago Park District expands education, food access, farmers markets and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility. The agency offers nutrition education year-round to staff and patrons through its out of school time initiative, including after-school, camp and sports programs, to fuel up for fun. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3WTOLNN In Peoria, Illinois, nonprofit Peoria Grown is addressing food insecurity through nutrition education and by providing access to affordable, healthy food options. Working together, Peoria Grown and Peoria Park District are increasing each organization’s capacity to provide a welcoming space for people and families within the most under-invested Peoria neighborhoods to access these food options. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4aEMclK In the spring of 2022, with the support of the Walmart Foundation, we awarded funding to 15 park and recreation agencies and their community-based partners to advance equitable food access for all through community-driven, upstream and systems-change solutions. Access the Community Wellness Hub toolkit: https://bit.ly/4ayU9sF #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #CommunityWellnessHub #Community #Wellness #WorldHungerDay #ParksAndRec #Health #FoodAccess #Parks #Recreation

Headed to the pool this Memorial Day? Give your local park and recreation professional a HUGE thank you for creating safe and welcoming (and fun!) aquatic centers! No matter how you enjoy your local park, get out there and soak up the sunshine this Memorial Day weekend! Image is from the Villages Recreation & Parks Department and our 2022 Park and Recreation Month cover contest. Group of adults play volleyball at their local pool. Check out our aquatics resources: https://bit.ly/3KeAWll #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #MemorialDay

Looking for a restful Sunday activity? Make some time to read the health and wellness issue of Parks & Recreation Magazine 😌 This June issue of Parks & Recreation addresses the importance of prioritizing staff mental health and well-being, Family Health & Fitness Day, and how to use intergenerational programming to grapple with the social isolation crisis through reaching across the generational aisle. Explore this issue: https://bit.ly/3IZGyPM #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #MentalHealthMonth #MentalHealth #HealthandWellness #ParksAndRec #Parks #Recreation #ParksAndRecMagazine

As we know, many park and recreation agencies experienced an influx of visitors to their parks and trails during the pandemic, the vast majority were forced to cancel all indoor programming that could not be made available online. These closed spaces were especially difficult for older adults as they were strongly recommended to isolate to protect their health. However, in the months and years following the most stringent lockdowns, older adult programming in parks and recreation has been seeing a resurgence in participation. The Supporting Older Adults Through Parks and Recreation report, conducted by the our Research team in December of 2023, highlights how park and recreation professionals dealt with the lingering impacts of COVID-19 on older adults’ participation. Read the full blog from Allie Ziegler, research assistant at NRPA: https://bit.ly/3KeUS7O #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #ParksAndRec #OpenSpaceBlog #Parks #Covid #Recreation