Articles
Adaptive Skating
Public skateparks have come a long way in the last 25 years; they are no longer single- or even double-use facilities. Chances are your park is being used by skateboarders, BMX riders, scooters, rollerbladers, roller skaters, and even wheelchairs.
Finding Excellence In Exercise
In 1983, members of a local disability community helped bring a Wheelchair Accessible Heart Trail to John Prince Park, located in Lake Worth, Fla.
Get In The Game
The daily mission of park and recreation professionals is to enhance the quality of life for residents through a variety of programs, services, and facilities. However, some professionals may not fully recognize their power to create true social change for a population that is often forgotten about.
Whiting Forest provides a memorable experience that fosters inter-generational interaction
Now in its 11th year, the Great Iowa River Race begins within Iowa City (at a river access managed by the city) and ends 9.25 miles downstream on the Iowa River at Hills Access Campground, a property managed by Johnson County Conservation. Canoers, kayakers, and paddle boarders are welcome to compete in the event, which is divided into recreational and competitive heats.
Inspiring residents to explore parks creates a buzz that began with a simple walk through the storage room
In the summer of 2020, parks and recreation departments across the country were looking for ways to engage community members safely since the COVID-19 pandemic brought most traditional programming to a halt. In Appleton, Wis., the parks and recreation team took on a “2020 Summer Reimagined” theme and set to work on brainstorming safe, community-engagement programs.
Park District Softball
Given the right parameters, softball is a team sport that can be played and enjoyed for a lifetime. Located in the Chicago area, the Naperville Park District has found that offering adults ages 19 to 90+ the opportunity to play the sport they love on a schedule that works for them is a winning combination.
Aquatic Exercise
There are more than 3-million U.S. fitness professionals helping more than 73-million Americans stay healthy through exercise, according to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. The fitness industry plays a central and essential role in promoting and maintaining mental, physical, and social health and well-being.
Celebrating Diversity Through Sport
I often see the single word “sports” posted on my social media timelines. It usually refers to a great play, an incredible ending, or something more powerful. It is said that sports can heal and unify. In Philadelphia, this occurs every year through the Philadelphia International Unity Cup.
A Trifecta Of Fun
As the fifth-largest city in Tennessee, Clarksville has had a growing need for more local sports and activities for younger age groups. To meet this need, the Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department athletics staff created the Wonder Kids Triathlon.
Inside The Silver Screen
Many park and recreation departments struggle to serve teen populations. Whether it is finding programming that appeals to this age group or offering volunteer opportunities that are creative enough to keep their attention, teens are a difficult demographic to engage successfully.
Youth Sports Administration 101: Proper Planning
Proper planning is the cornerstone of any well-run, community-recreation program. In coordinating any high-level program, planning is customizable in how an organization chooses to operate. Below are some guidelines to have in place for these programs.
The 411 On 3x3
3x3 basketball might have been new to the Olympics (where the American women’s team won the gold medal), but it wasn’t new to anyone in the park and rec world, or those familiar with basketball in urban areas. In fact, the discipline—which has its roots in the urban game—has long been a staple of recreational play.
Youth Sports Administration 101: Youth-Sports Supervision
Proper supervision is of the utmost importance to ensure the safety of league participants; it should be taken seriously. It only takes a few seconds of complacency for an incident or accident to occur.
Modern Skateparks Are For Everyone
The short history of skateparks is complicated. The first parks were retail, pay-to-play, concrete landscapes in the 1970s.
For The Record
The city of Grapevine Parks and Recreation Department in Texas maintains 23 trails throughout the park system, including hard and soft surfaces. This provides residents of all ages attractive, safe, accessible, and low- or no-cost places to cycle, walk, hike, jog, or skate.
Youth Sports Administration 101: Complaints And Conflict Resolution
Those who manage a youth-sports program know there will be times when parents complain. Incidents also may occur at the fields and sports venues that may have to be dealt with on a game day. Regardless of the type of complaint or severity of an incident, it should be taken seriously.
Programming Opportunities For ADHD Youth
An estimated 6.1-million American children between the ages of 2 and 17—9.4 percent—have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Removing Barriers
Outdoor recreation is a growing industry. Broadly defined as activities that engage a participant with nature, outdoor recreation involves activities such as camping, hiking, mountaineering, snowboarding, skiing, fishing, hunting, and climbing.
Youth Sports Administration 101: Volunteer Management
For most kids and parents, volunteers are “the face” of a sports league. Most programs cannot happen without them. Recruiting and retaining great volunteers will not only make a league better but also make your job as an administrator much easier.
Reconnecting The Community
One of the struggles people encountered during the pandemic was a feeling of isolation. This was especially true for adolescents—a lack of in-person school and extra-curriculars made keeping in touch with friends and developing important social skills more difficult than usual.