What does a new administration of an agency do when it inherits poorly maintained facilities? That was exactly the position I found myself in when I accepted the position as recreation director in Thibodaux, La.

In the world of aquatics, you are only as good as your team of lifeguards. Aquatic facilities across the nation have struggled to recruit lifeguards, and the city of Round Rock, Texas, was

A Thousand Oaks, California swim school was the setting of the recent accidental exposure of 19 people to a surge of chlorine gas into the pool area. Likely generated during an equipment

The modern game of golf evolved from what 15th-century Scots knew as “gowf,” when it was played on the rolling, sandy terrain common on Scotland’s eastern coast, called “links land.”

Photo: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / barr5557Whether you are volunteering as a coach for a town league or a school, coaching youth sports is not easy. Finding the time between busy work schedules and fami

Staff members of the Mt. Pleasant Parks Department in Michigan knew they needed a more efficient and earth-friendly way to complete daily park-maintenance tasks. After exploring

The saying, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,” is undeniably true—especially in local government. Partnerships are often what make or break new legislation,

Is tackle football safe? The debate continues. In the past four years, the National Alliance for Youth Sports has been constantly asked whether the organization is for or against the sport

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks) is a multi-faceted agency with 32 facilities serving three counties and three cities. NOVA Parks operates golf courses,

For those of you who don’t understand the type of twisted addiction that makes Cleveland kids remain Browns football fans all the way through adulthood, some of this article may get

Growing up, Rick Bruya’s sports participation was packed with fun, learning, and character-building experiences. And—as it turned out—a career-shaping one too.

When you hear the phrase “youth sports,” what is the first image that comes to mind? Maybe it’s a bunch of kids in uniforms running up and down a soccer field. Or maybe it is parents and

There are countless books, articles, and videos about the importance of being mindful and living in each moment. Authors before me have written about the many benefits of being in the

Just a couple of years ago, while working outside the aquatic industry, I received a phone call about a new volunteer coalition: The NCH Safe & Healthy Children’s Coalition of Collier County.

The playground at Ellis Park has successfully served the community of Salisbury, N.C. for over 25 years.

Any manager, volunteer, or patron with an interest in dog parks has heard all the stories by now, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Dog fights and people neglecting to pick up after their

Adapted aquatic opportunities cater to a wide range of patrons. Although the phrase “adapted aquatics” typically conjures up images of older adults and persons with significant disabilities,

When Berry Ellison strolled into the presentation for the Riverfront Park Redevelopment Program, he didn’t know he was about to welcome the city of Spokane’s version of New York

Every year the Yoder Center in Lynchburg, Va., offers summer-camp programs for elementary-age children. These are opportunities to explore the city, meet new friends, experience adventures, and discover treasures in their own neighborhoods.

In recent years, most parks and recreation agencies have had to deal with the economic realities of reduced revenue and higher personnel costs. On the recreation side, program fees

Building a sports complex is EXPENSIVE! Let’s get this out of the way. Unless you recently won the Mega Millions jackpot the cost of a sports complex is probably important to you. There are

Landscape architects bring value to the built environment in multiple ways. Streetscapes, public parks, and gardens, if designed in a meaningful way, can have lasting impacts on the

Multiple factors should be considered when installing playing fields for parks and sports complexes, and chief among them is whether to install synthetic or natural turf. Each type has

Communal spaces unite communities. Athletic surfaces are not solely dedicated fields: In open and flat areas, spontaneous games pop up among friends, families, and sports teams. Facility

A weed is most commonly defined as “a plant out of place.” It can more formally be defined as a plant that interferes with the welfare of humans or livestock or is otherwise objectionable. In

In recent years, most parks and recreation agencies have had to deal with the economic realities of reduced revenue and higher personnel costs. On the recreation side, program fees

Soil salinity refers to the concentration of total dissolved salts in the soil. The dissolved salts release cations (positive charge) and anions (negative charge) to water.

How can parks departments, school districts and others who manage recreational facilities balance the conflicting needs of their many user groups (players, parents, athletic directors,

Although high summer temperatures just ended, anytime is a good time to make sure your irrigation system is running at its peak potential. An irrigation audit ensures you are not

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. 

The Brazilian athlete Pelé popularized a nickname for soccer: “the beautiful game.” As a landscape architect and life-long soccer player, these two worlds came together in 2016

You may have noticed that when you order a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder in Anchorage, Alaska, it is exactly the same as the one you purchase in Miami, Fla. This is also true for a cup

Colorado Springs, COLORADO­—The National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) has announced the winners of its annual Instructor Awards, presented to active NSPF Instructors

Buffalo Grove, Ill.—Turface Athletics, in conjunction with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), the Inaugural Turface Athletics/NFCA Field of the Year Award for eight

FOREST HILL, MD –The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the national organization for designers, builders and suppliers of materials for athletic facilities, has

At the center of Cape Cod is Dennis, Mass. This beach town, which offers year-round attractions associated with its coastal location, has been updating its beachfront properties

Colorado Springs, Colo.—The National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) has announced the election of a new President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary of its Board of Directors.

Annapolis - Today, the National Park Service and its principal non-profit partner Chesapeake Conservancy make available the short film, “Werowocomoco: Protecting a Powhatan Place of

Williamsville, NY – Jim Dobmeier founded Surface America, which provides the complete installation of recreational and athletic surfacing, as a subsidiary of Pennsylvania-based Ecore

Elyria, Ohio – Valley of the Eagles Golf Club has been named the “Best U.S. Remodel of 2018” by GOLF Magazine in the publication’s December 2018 issue. Set on the site of the former

Grant and Midland, Mich. — At Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens, guests of all ages and abilities can now discover the woods, ponds and meadows on the nation's longest canopy walk, which

Like most successful brands in the world, WhiteWater has a clear vision and goal. From its start as a water park operator in 1980, WhiteWater has had one clear purpose: to create places

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 was born in 1980 with one clear purpose, to create places where families unite and make joyful lasting memories.