National Recreation and Park Association

"We are a small staff and the three of us would not be able to care for the park without the help of a seasonal crew of youth and young adults, ages 14-25, who roll up their sleeves day after day and maintain trails and gardens, build benches and friendships, and learn critical life and work skills along the way." Read the full blog from Darien Fernandez, executive director for Taos Land Trust, to learn how this park gives to the community and the community gives back: https://lnkd.in/e6fWXYET #PowerOfParks #OpenSpaceBlog #Conservation #ClimateChange

What was your first memory in a local park or recreation center? NRPA's Managing Editor of Parks & Recreation Magazine, Lindsay Collins, shares how parks and recreation have helped to build happy memories, foster a love of the outdoors, and the importance of the joy agencies bring to communities. Watch the full video and others: https://bit.ly/43M6tUF Park and recreation professionals wear many hats, they're community builders, advocates, mentors- to name a few. We've found the stories they have to tell incredibly powerful. That’s why we started the video-storytelling project, Park and Recreation Stories. Through uplifting voices in the field we aim to highlight the power of parks, as well as significant events experienced by our members, partners and advocates. We’re excited to continue sharing these stories with you into 2025 as we celebrate our 60th anniversary. #ParkAndRecStories #NRPA60 #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #ParkAndRecMonth

We did it! The Outdoors for All Act has officially passed Congress! We proudly led the charge, advocating to guarantee that every person, no matter where they live, has access to high-quality green spaces. On the ground, this means local communities will have more resources to fund vibrant parks and recreational spaces, with expanded eligibility for cities and towns to receive this vital support. A huge shout-out to park and recreation professionals, and our incredible partners —thank you for your support! Want to learn more about our advocacy work? Check it out: https://bit.ly/4gkOmLh #OutdoorsForAll #ExploreAct #PowerOfParks #NRPAAdvocacy

Intergenerational programs benefits folks by... 🫶Increasing feelings of belonging among both younger and older participants. 🍏Improving quality of life, particularly for those with dementia. 🙏Creating mutually enriching relationships that strengthen community bonds. Our Healthy Aging Framework equips park and recreation agencies with resources, guidance and real-world examples to advance health equity and foster intergenerational connectedness in communities across the nation. RRF Foundation for Aging Access the resource: https://bit.ly/4goSZDu #PowerOfParks #HealthyAging #Health #Wellness

With your support we can ensure access to safe, quality parks and recreation services that improve environmental, social and health outcomes in communities, now and in the future. Explore ways to give: https://bit.ly/41nAV8A #PowerOfParks

In 2024 we reached 68,000 members, invested $3.9 million in 136 communities, and more than 2 million people were reached through our grant and partnership programs 🌟 These successes were made possible by our incredible partners and supporters. Your contributions have been vital in advancing our mission and impact. Thank you! Bobcat Company Musco Lighting National Park Service Nike (USTA) United States Tennis Association Help us make 2025 even more successful, support our work: https://bit.ly/41dum8H #PowerOfParks #ParksAndRec #WhereYouBelong #BuildTogetherPlayTogether

Seeking more information on how data collected from monitoring systems can assist with managing recreation activity and green spaces? The Perspectives on Automated Counting Technologies in Parks and Recreation report explores the needs and concerns of automated counting technologies like cameras, counters and cell phone data among local park and recreation professionals, community members and other stakeholders. The report specifically addresses selection, logistics, usage, maintenance, challenges and privacy concerns associated with these technologies. Access the report: https://bit.ly/4iS2DAK Thank you to our partner, Musco Lighting, whose support made this research study possible.  #PowerOfParks #NRPAResearch #ParksAndRec

With the end of 2024 brings the end to another incredible Open Space Radio Season 🎧 Over the course of 2024 we released 15 different episodes, interviewed 27 guests, and recording 758 minutes of conversation. Cort, Cara, and Christina sat down recently to recap some of these minutes. Take a listen to the last episode of 2024: https://bit.ly/3OEcYCi Thank you to everyone who shared their stories, and to those who listened. We look forward to what 2025 has to bring! #OpenSpaceRadio #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #BuildTogetherPlayTogether

Three Wins is a concept that provides free exercise classes at local parks to support individual and community health and gives kinesiology students an exceptional internship opportunity to polish their skills in exercise training. 532 colleges offer degrees in kinesiology, and more than 25,000 students earned a bachelor's degree in 2023. If only 10,000 students participated in exercise training internships, reaching an average of 10-20 local residents, we could improve the health of 100,000 to 200,000 people. Read the blog to see how this can get started and grow: https://bit.ly/3ZvOBMd #PowerOfParks #HealthAndWellness #HealthyAging #ParksAndRec #Health #Wellness

Throughout the past few years, we have supported the expansion of farmers markets in parks and recreation by developing toolkits and resources and supporting local communities in their efforts as they work to grow their markets with health equity and community at the center. To better support parks and recreation as centers of community wellness and food access, we hosted a community of practice for farmers markets in parks and recreation. This opportunity connected agencies and organizations that support farmers markets in parks and recreation to learn, problem-solve, and receive assistance from cohort peers and industry experts. Learn more about the Farmers Markets in Parks and Recreation Community of Practice: https://bit.ly/3VDDGPh #PowerOfParks #ParksAndRecMagazine #ParksAndRec #FarmersMarket #FoodAccess #FoodEquity