National Recreation and Park Association

Want to become a steward of the lands? Turn to your local park and recreation agency! Park and recreation agencies play a vital role in protecting and managing the natural spaces in neighborhoods across the country. Parks enhance community well-being, offering physical and mental health benefits while preserving biodiversity. We must safeguard these spaces to ensure future generations can enjoy them and develop a lifelong connection to nature. Here are a couple of ways to get involved... 🌱Start protecting flora and fauna by signing up to host a Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz this September! 🌱Learn from park staff on how to be more conservation-minded, listen to Guardians of Greenspaces podcast! Learn more: https://bit.ly/42p09lP Image: Close up picture of a bee on a purple flower in a pollinator garden. #PowerOfParks #EarthMonth #NRPAEarthMonth

Imagine a world where the wisdom of our elders inspires the dreams of young people. Intergenerational programs are creating this very reality, acting as powerful tools to bridge the gap between generations and strengthen communities. When we combine the seasoned experience of older adults with the boundless energy and technological knowhow of youth, something magical happens. Learn more about intergenerational programming and the benefits in this Parks & Recreation Magazine article from Jessica Massey, Community Recreation Coordinator at City of Roanoke, Va: https://bit.ly/3RJ5Shg #PowerOfParks #ParksAndRecMagazine #BuildTogetherPlayTogether #Intergenerational

Park and recreation agencies across the country are making incredible strides in recycling efforts ♻️ We recently shared a few stories around recycling in Philadelphia, Maine and Colorado, and we want to give them some more love during Earth Month! Starting with Philadelphia... Recycling in Philadelphia is more than managing waste — it's creating a more connected, sustainable urban ecosystem where discarded items have the potential for renewal and repurpose. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation invited Barbara Kapustin, Program Manager for Community and Environmental Resiliency at NRPA, and Ayanna Williams, NRPA Director of Environmental and Community Resilience, to meet with them in person to gain a better understanding of recycling in a parks and recreation context. Take a glimpse at the power parks have in recycling: https://bit.ly/4gmZyqs #EarthMonth #NRPAEarthMonth #PowerOfParks #ParksAndRec #ParkAccess #SustainableParks #ClimateChange #Environment #Recycle

Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are steering their golden years toward uncharted waters. Inspired by the carefree lifestyle celebrated in Jimmy Buffett's music, this generation isn't just growing older. They're embracing life with gusto, margaritas in hand and flip-flips firmly planted in the sand. Park and recreation departments have the unique opportunity to evolve, helping boomers live their best lives. Read the article from Terri Hilton and Nancy Pfeffer to learn about creating opportunities for boomers to leave behind footprints in the sand and memories that last forever: https://bit.ly/4jmc9LM #PowerOfParks #ParksAndRecMagazine #HealthAndWellness

Between 2023-2025, we’ve been working with Musco Lighting and 16 park and recreation agencies to increase access to youth sports through funding, infrastructure improvements and training. Insights from this program helped us to create our Youth Sports Framework, a roadmap to help park and recreation professionals implement effective, lasting solutions that expand access and encourage greater participation in youth sports. Learn more about the Youth Sports in Parks and Recreation grants powered by Musco Lighting and access the Youth Sports Framework: https://bit.ly/4iXVuyg #NRPAYouthSports #PowerOfParks #YouthSportsFramework

In an increasingly urbanized world, nature within communities is essential for sustainability and the health and well-being of residents. Community forestry is a pivotal strategy to address environmental, social and other challenges. After all, trees offer a host of benefits, including combating climate change, improving air quality, supporting biodiversity, and providing aesthetic and recreational values. Dive into Los Angeles County’s Community Forest Management Plan to learn how they are supporting sustainability and the health and well-being of residents. Read the article from Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP, in the April issue of Parks & Recreation Magazine: https://bit.ly/4ctwqNo #NRPAEarthMonth #PowerOfParks #EarthMonth #SustainableParks

Don't miss your chance to join us for cohort 3 of our Sustainability in Practice program! This 16-week immersive, cohort-style program will help you to begin or take the next steps in your environmental resilience journey. There is no cost to participate. We will offer 25 hours of technical assistance through group incubator-style workshops and individual support, as well as access to tools, resources and a strong peer network. Program runs from June 4 to September 10, 2025. Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/3EK4kRb #SustainabilityInPractice #PowerOfParks #EnvironmentalResilience #Environment #Resilience #ParksAndRec

We’re celebrating parks and recreation professionals as a climate heroes this Earth Month🌎 From protecting natural resources to providing environmentally sustainable solutions and supporting emergency preparedness response efforts, parks help safeguard our planet, starting in our communities. Want to get involved and help spread awareness around the power of parks? 🌎Read "Celebrating Environmental Resilience" in the April issue of Parks & Recreation magazine to learn more about the many roles parks and recreation plays in protecting resources for the future. 🌎Join the celebration by tagging NRPA in your Earth Month posts and using the hashtag #NRPAEarthMonth. Learn more: https://bit.ly/42p09lP Image: Get Outdoors Nevada 2024 Park and Recreation Month Cover Contest submission. Park volunteer reaching towards the earth during a stewardship event. #PowerOfParks #EarthMonth #NRPAEarthMonth

For park and recreation teams in two cities, performance data keeps their stories at the forefront and builds community trust. 📊 Bloomington, Minnesota, and Denton, Texas, are almost a thousand miles apart, but they are like next-door neighbors when in comes to telling their stories of progress on park and recreation initiatives. These suburban cities are using technology for modern park management, including implementing their respective park and recreation strategic plans, setting measurable goals and objectives, integrating community feedback and needs assessments, reporting on progress both internally and to the public, and aligning with broader city development plans. Read the article from Gary Packan and Elizabeth Steward to learn more: https://bit.ly/3FEHx9V #ParksAndRecMagazine #PowerOfParks

There are so many ways to grow and learn through local parks and recreation offerings 🤖 Gregory Dunn, Assistant Recreation Supervisor, Steven G. Terrell Recreation Center, shared his journey into the field and how he is raising is daughter as a park and recreation kid in a world full of exciting opportunities. Check out the full video and others here: https://bit.ly/3VNmpUP 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. Follow along throughout 2025, as we continue to share stories in celebration of our 60th anniversary. #ParkAndRecStories #NRPA60 #PowerOfParks #BuildTogetherPlayTogether #ParkAndRecMonth