Articles
On The Surface
It is likely that many of us learned to play basketball and tennis on asphalt, with that sensation of feet baking in our shoes. With the inception of the first asphalt-paved road in 1868, and the
Selecting Sod
Whether you do or don’t believe in global warming, drought conditions are definitely evident after reviewing the U.S. Drought Monitor (www.drought.unl.edu). One way that municipalities and park agencies
Start Small But Think Big
The worldХs appetite for energy is undeniable. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, “[T]otal world consumption of marketed energy is projected to increase by 44 percent from 2006 t
Scrubbing Down To The "Nitty-Greeny"
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are found in many non-certified green cleaning products, can cause cancer in humans as well as a host
"Waste"ful Resources
The possibilities are nearly endless for dog owners to dispose of pet waste. Throwing it over oneХs fence or putting it in the garbage, however, is not only passé, but with the wealth of research and
Mental Notes On Metal Desks
In years past, it was at the heart of almost all recreation centers. Scrapes and bruises were treated on it; kids as well as staff seemed to hang from it. You could kick it, stand on it, and even eat
Keep The Sun At Bay
It wasnХt until recently that sunscreen became a staple in the parks and recreation lexicon. As a child growing up in southern California, I fondly remember hot summer weekends schlepping behind my mo
A Worthy Evaluation
Often in these challenging times, parks and recreation professionals are asked to quantify the economic viability of an event or program. By grading an event primarily on customer surveys, participation and
Making Data Sing
With the advent of software in parks and recreation in the late 1980s and subsequent proliferation, it is the ancillary byproduct that now garners much promise moving forward.
Nothing But Netball
Have you ever heard of netball? Although this sport is not perhaps familiar to those on this side of the pond, it is a fast-growing staple elsewhere.
Give Lumens A Checkup
Lights--by their very nature and makeup--deteriorate over time. It is a proven fact that poorly maintained lamps lose at least 10 percent light output per year. Factors such as weather, surrounding
Automated External Defibrillators
While the unit can be found on every commercial airline flight in the United States and at most major sporting events, and its ability to save lives is without challenge, an automated external
Spring Startup
Vending machines can be found at almost every recreation center in the United States. They are an amenity our customers cannot live without. How can we be more environmentally responsible in
Dollars And Sense
Vending machines can be found at almost every recreation center in the United States. They are an amenity our customers cannot live without. How can we be more environmentally responsible in
A Living Legend
There are people who claim to have the ability to communicate with animals, talk with the dead, and see things that have not yet come to pass. While James ТVernУ Houghtaling does not profess to have a
Give Customers Satisfaction
A question related to customer service has historically occupied a place on interview questions in park and recreation departments across the country. So why does it appear now as though customer
First Things First
When you think about all the pieces of equipment that make up a recreation center, there are several core items whose absence would make functioning difficult: computers, sports equipment, janitorial
Light The Torch
It is often said that an investment in our children is an investment in the future; in many respects the same can be said for our senior population. With todayХs seniorsХ life expectancy growing every
Play GROUND
In years past when playgrounds were built over asphalt and gravel, all that was required to maintain them was a resilient pooper-scooper and a hose. But with todayХs technologically driven playground
Navigating Recreational Software
So youХre ready to take the plunge -- or at least you think you are. Recreation software comes in many forms and packages, from programs that can organize a softball league as well as an entire depart