Many park and recreation managers involved with facility maintenance know that when it comes to cleaning, restrooms are a center of complaints. However, a recent poll of Кmanagers of all types of faci

Knowing how to fix many plumbing-related problems in a parks and recreation center can be a great convenience. Just think of all the money you can save getting an overflowing toilet or a backed-up

The history of the Burlington Waterfront in Vermont dates to the early 1800s, but the Burlington Community Boathouse was built in 1988. Currently, it acts as the gateway from Lake Champlain to the historic downtown

My dad was handy. He did many favors for people because of his skills, and I rarely remember him refusing anyone. He wasn’t especially “trained” or anything, but he just had a logical mind when it came to appliances and mechanical things. 

Editor's Note: This column, “LBWA” (Leadership By Wandering Around), is based on the premise that, in order to find out what's going on in the field, a parks and rec leader has to leave his or her des

“The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.” – Peggy O’Mara

As a parent of three young children, I have to second-guess so many things I’ve said to my kids. Was I too tough? Not tough enough?

Mistakes in design and installation give water features a mixed reputation, despite the fact they can provide valuable elements in landscaping. Several key issues are often overlooked during the

As representatives from the original 13 colonies gathered in Philadelphia late on the afternoon of July 4, 1776, to sign the Declaration of Independence, President of the Continental Congress,

Recreation professionals often put in ridiculously long hours, so even the smallest gestures from youngsters in the programs can have the biggest impact. Just ask Landon Carroll, the Recreation

For years, the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) has touted itself as the leading advocate for positive and safe youth sports in America. And from time to time, we get people

It is well understood that quality customer service is of utmost importance in any business, and the delivery of recreation and parks services is certainly no exception. However, what too many

I was 16 years old when I watched underdog Rocky Balboa nearly beat heavyweight champion Apollo Creed into submission late in the last round. He broke Apollo’s ribs and the champ was

When parks and rec departments develop their inventories of facilities, the lead elements are more often than not the active sports centers that cater to youth and adult enthusiasts: soccer,

Just two miles south of downtown Akron, Ohio, on the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail is a 100-acre glacial lake. In the 1920s, it was known as Akron’s “million-dollar playground” and attracted

It seems that every day I receive calls or emails from another sports-enthusiast group, requesting space or accommodations for its particular recreational pursuit. So when I received a request three

Public agencies that develop and maintain parks and trails are under constant pressure to spend money wisely. Most industry professionals understand that dollars spent on parks and

A tearful phone call from a parent in 2007 was the impetus Emily Kovarik needed to launch Idaho's Boise Parks & Recreation's Ability Team. ТA mom called me because a PE teacher didn't know what to

The senior population of every village, town, and city in America is increasing daily. With baby boomers retiring, and nearly a quarter of the American population being at least 55 years old, this

For many people, community recreation centers are the place where many dancers take their first classes, such as ballet and creative movement, to name a few. In Grand Prairie, Texas, the

As budgets tighten and employees are either let go or work fewer hours, parks and recreation departments find themselves trying to provide important community services with scarce resources. One way

We have all heard the popular term “going green.” In making a commitment to reduce global warming, pollution, loss of animal habitats, and other environmental concerns, many organizations, government

Visitors to Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens in Rockford, Ill., have been seeing plenty of greenСnot on the groundСbut on the roof. The green roof at the Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens in Rockfo

Contrary to conventional logic, establishing and managing recreational turf for parks, playgrounds, and sports fields is very easy in Alaska. With relatively few diseases and insects

Floods have no jurisdictional boundaries. Storm and flood waters demand land-use decisions on neighboring properties, in neighboring communities, and throughout watersheds.

As expected, the neighborhood known as Battery Park City along the southwestern edge of Lower Manhattan puts a premium on space. The 92-acre community comprises residential areas, high-rise

As municipalities consider switching from legacy lighting to energy-efficient and controllable state-of-the-art LED sports lighting, it’s important that they begin with a clean slate. 

An Easi-Set Buildings Restroom recently made the fan-going experience more enjoyable for the Fresno State University soccer and lacrosse teams in Fresno, Calif. This fast-paced

South Florida’s landscape experiences little change throughout the four seasons. In fact, the region boasts a rainy period that lasts several months, and a 12-month growing season!

When Jeff Burley, the Adaptive Sports Manager for Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, went looking for a golf course to introduce a new program using golf as a vehicle to teach

The National Park Service spans 417 areas over 84 million square acres. Since 1916, the roughly 22,000 employees strive to keep the open land in each state and U.S. territory true to its

Many public batting-cage facilities across the country are nearing or have already surpassed the 20 year mark; even those with regular and proper maintenance are beginning to approach

Prior to August 2013, I lived in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. In my front yard I could dig down four feet or more and hit nothing but rich, loamy soil with an occasional glacial stone thrown

The Lexington Parks and Recreation Department has finalized the design for a new BMX/Skate park. The project will be out to bid by the end of August 2018 and construction is estimated to take less than six months, starting at the end of the year.

The city is proceeding with plans to build a new $1.5 park in the downtown area off Brown Street. The park that will consist of an amphitheater, a splash pad, playgrounds, multiple pavilions and a walking trail is expected to be open to the public in April 2019.

Architects are working on designs for improvements to include an expanded zero-entry pool, more shade structures, expanded restrooms, more picnic pavillions, and splash pad. The project will also include a new gymnasium and upgraded shuffleboard, bocce ball and pickelball courts.

The redevelopment consists of removing the existing "caddyshack" building, removing the existing play and splash pad equipment, preparing the site for new facilities and constructing the new splash pad, including a shaded structure, picnic facilities, a restroom, a changing room, concession, lighting, fencing, landscaping and electrical work. The estimated cost of the project is $969,822.

Plans are proceeding for the construction of a new 40,000 square foot outdoor plaza in downtown Tinley Park. Proposed for a site north of North Street and east of Oak Park Avenue, Harmony Square would have features such as a performance stage, artificial turf lawns, a splash pad/hockey rink and concession stand.

City Council recently authorized a $90,000 Ohio Department of Natural Resources NatureWorks grant application for an ADA-compliant playground at the Civic Center. The $350,000-plus project calls for replacing an existing play structure between the Center’s Waterpark and ice arena.

The New Ulm City Council has approved the advertisement of multiple RFPs seeking construction
management and design services for several parks and recreation projects. Initial RFPs will be issued for an indoor waterpark, indoor playground, gymnastics center, and wellness center.

The city will receive $2 million in state funding towards the construction of a new 50-meter outdoor pool. The pool complex, estimated to cost about $10.5 million, would replace one torn out by the city to make way for a new police station and City Hall building.

The North Ridgeville City Council unanimously approved a resolution to send a plan for an aquatic center to the Lorain County Auditor’s Office. The resolution seeks a $5 million, 20-year funding request on the ballot in November. The city is looking at building the aquatic center on 17.5 acres it owns on Bainbridge Road.

The city has been approved for a $300,000 matching grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for replacement of the Imagination Station Playground. The new area will be called Riverview Discovery Island Playground. The unique and accessible play area will include both natural and manufactured play areas and equipment, parking, lighting, landscaping, sanitary facilities and a variety of site furnishings

Skater owned and operated, American Ramp Company builds over 200 skateparks annually throughout the world and is the only firm that offers 4 distinct product lines. Quality, selection and credibility distinguish ARC as the clear leader in the industry.

Play Moves Us in a big way and is inherent in our culture here at Burke. We are constantly studying play, evolving our products and pushing ourselves to be better - all to bring a higher level of play to the communities we serve.

At the Public Restroom Company, We're Known Throughout The Nation For Building Better Places to Go.

WhiteWater is committed to the parks and recreation market and creating the ultimate customer experience. With competitive pricing and superior product quality, WhiteWater offers the best value in the industry for facilities of all sizes. We strive to support our clients in building and enhancing healthy communities.