Park Stories

A changing climate is bringing new animals to public spaces By Karen Fischer The end of summer 2024 brought several massive hurricanes to the East Coast, flooding homes, destroying power grids, and costing hundreds of billions in recovery dollars. But across the Southeast, beyond heavier rain, drought, and other changes in climate, there have been more instances in which animals like alligators ar...

How to prevent carbon monoxide leaks in ice rinks By Laura Wheatman Hill Though ice skating provides joy, connection, and fitness in many communities, unexpected dangers lurk in rinks. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is an unfortunate possibility due to a few factors . Fortunately, however, prevention of potentially deadly accidents is possible without major facility upgrades, costs, or labor. 

For Jon Pallone, head baseball coach at Quakertown Community High School in Quakertown, Penn., the umpire shouting “Play ball!” to begin the team’s March 2024 home opener took on special meaning. By Dan Hanson

Strategies to jump-start your next community-recreation master plan By John Dzarnowski, Dan Nicholas and Daniel Atilano In today's fast-paced world, accessible and well-designed recreational spaces have become increasingly vital. A survey conducted by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) found most people agree that local recreational facilities should offer a wide variety of s...

How cities can harness innovation to give residents equitable experiences By William Healy According to the CDC, up to one in four adults in the United States has some form of disability. Yet, when many public recreation facilities and activities were originally established, accessibility wasn’t under consideration.

A holistic approach to greenspace management By Nathan Krois In the midst of burgeoning urbanization and escalating environmental concerns, greenspaces within urban infrastructure have become more significant than ever. As cities expand and evolve, thoughtful consideration of greenspace management is imperative to foster sustainable development and enhance the quality of life for residents.

The inclusive magic of Toms River’s Field of Dreams By Nikki Kelly The RWJBH Field of Dreams, in Toms River, N.J., is more than a playground—it’s a groundbreaking example of modern design , engineering, and community spirit. I recently toured the facility with co-founder Christian Kane and dedicated volunteer Sue Coan, witnessing the impact of this exceptional space firsthand.

Defining and designing resilient recreation structures By Tony Bouquot The Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex (also known as the Obama Sports Complex) at Rancho Cienega Park is owned by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. It fills an important need in South Los Angeles by providing quality public recreation and fitness amenities for a population of approximately 100,0...

With caution and care, change can lead to unexpected results By Ron Ciancutti The Board of Commissioners noticed a pattern. Of the many commodities and services our park system engaged (e.g., office supplies, aggregate stone, food for zoo animals, etc.), the same awardees were recommended year after year.

The hardest worker in parks and rec…except for you By Mary Helen Sprecher With the exception of parks and recreation staff, is there anything in the sector that works harder than the gym? After all, it might host everything from basketball to pickleball to volleyball to futsal—and a lot more.

With extreme temps becoming the norm, cities and builders find ways to adapt By Karen Fischer For the past few summers, new heat records were set almost daily, across the country. The phenomenon suggests no single region is more prone to excessive heat than another. Most municipalities in North America are guaranteed to experience an unprecedented heat wave at some point.

How Instantpadel paved the way for the racket club of America’s future By Christoffer Granfelt As the Founder of Instantpadel, core parts of my DNA include innovation, a progressive outlook, and an ability to consistently look two steps ahead. That’s why I co-founded my company alongside my business partner, Magnus Berglund, to bring a different approach to the trajectory of the world’s fastest-gr...

Inside the grand opening of the Jackson Recreation Center's new climbing gym By Amberley Ransom After a decade-long absence, indoor climbing has returned with the grand opening of the new climbing gym at the Teton County/Jackson Recreation Center. This eagerly awaited facility, which opened to the public in May 2024, has quickly become a vibrant hub for climbers of all levels and a beacon for...

Consider these sports to refresh your camp recreation lineup By Mary Helen Sprecher When campers are ready to return, directors and counselors are tasked with keeping them happy and occupied, but it’s also important to create camp programs that stand out . What is interesting enough to make kids share their experience with friends—who, in turn, will ask their parents if they can attend, too?

Pioneering the future of inclusive recreation By Adam Arndt Moss Universal Park is a revolutionary, innovative project designed to create a universally inclusive recreational space. Scheduled to break ground in spring 2025 and open by fall in Wauwatosa, Wis., the park will set a new benchmark for accessibility and inclusivity in public spaces across the country.

Creating a camp business plan for long-term success By Jason Schaitz A formal business plan helps directors run a camp, serving as a guide through each stage of operation management. The plan provides the structure for camp operations and is also the roadmap for growth and goal achievement. Additionally, a business plan can help bring in funding, investments, and other partnerships.

What is a playground’s role in connecting kids to nature? By Hannah Seo In 1930s Denmark, landscape architect Carl Theodor Sørensen had an epiphany. Playgrounds in urban settings, with their uniform, predictable structures, did nothing to inspire children’s imaginations. On the other hand, children in the countryside, provided with just tree branches, tires, and other loose-scrap material, could i...

Stepping up to help young athletes By John Engh Mental health is an essential aspect of overall well-being, yet it's often overlooked in youth sports, which can lead to devastating consequences. 

Preparing buildings for the winter By Eric Spacek Though the coldest months haven’t yet arrived in many states, it’s important to prepare facilities for winter weather. When park leaders hear other organizations complaining about frozen pipes and expensive repairs this winter, they’ll be glad they were proactive.

Oregon’s Spirit of Halloweentown capitalizes on the iconic 1998 movie By Melissa Hart Most of us celebrate Halloween on a single night. But in the small waterfront town of St. Helens, Ore.—27 miles north of Portland—strange and spooky festivities over six autumn weekends attract thousands of visitors. Witches perform spirited broom dances in gorgeous silk and velvet costumes. Shop windows display...

Tips, insights, and impact from Open Space Arts’ May Flower Show By I.E. Lucky Open Space Arts’ May Flower Show has become a highly anticipated event, drawing visitors from all corners of Prince William County, Va. to experience the vibrant display of floral arrangements, educational workshops, and community involvement. A staple on the gallery’s annual calendar of monthly exhibitions, the May Flo...

The future of aquatic-center design By Jody Sergi While swim meet and water polo athletes focus on agility, speed, and performance, they rarely pay attention to the pool in which they compete. After all, they know it will always be heated to a consistent 81 degrees, fully cleaned, and tested, allowing swimmers to race at their highest level.

Austin’s Mueller development integrates greenspace and a skate park to create a one-of-a-kind neighborhood amenity By Drew Carman and Amy Westermeyer Access to greenspace is a defining feature of the Mueller development, an award-winning urban village constructed on the site of a former municipal airport in Austin, Texas. This is entirely by design.

Transforming a crumbling monument into a community theatre By John Jackson First open to the public in 1899, Riverside Park was once the crown jewel of Indianapolis’ parks and boulevards system. Its modern footprint is 862 acres—22 more than New York’s Central Park. After more than a century, the time had come to reinvigorate Riverside.

How waterblasting is changing the surface-preparation market By Jordan Koster Sandblasting and waterblasting both stem from naturally occurring processes. Both types of erosion existed long before humans harnessed the power of sand and water. It wasn’t until the 1870s that the preliminary sandblasting process was developed. Over the last century and a half, sandblasting has been used for sharpenin...