Articles
Changes Inside And Out
Change management is crucial for leaders in any field. Whether it’s adopting innovative technology, navigating employee turnover, or launching new programs, successful leaders are often those who handle curveballs with ease and expertly guide their teams through unfamiliar territory.
Focus On Function
Much about fitness has changed over the last few years, including the advent of virtual classes and the meteoric rise of pickleball. However, in gym facilities across the country, one of the more noticeable changes has little to do with exercise.
Uncovering History
When visitors buy a ticket to the Balboa Park Carousel in San Diego, their likely objective is a few minutes of traditional, family-friendly fun. But they’re actually experiencing part of the city’s history.
Big Leagues, Small Details
Throughout 2023, one of the biggest stories in major league baseball has involved new rules with the addition of a pitch timer, bigger bases, and limitations around defensive shifts. The changes are designed to shorten the average length of games and encourage more viewers to tune in.
Finding balance between ATV use and nature conservation
ATV riding continues to be a popular American pastime—one that is often of tremendous value for many states.
Playgrounds And Parks Become Ground Zero For STEM Education
There’s a lot to take in at Triumph Park. Spread over 66 acres in Waukee, Iowa, the community park and sports complex boasts 12 softball and baseball fields, three miles of trails, an accessible fishing pier, and an inclusive playground with dozens of play structures.
When Recreational Water Illnesses Threaten Splash-Pad Fun
Splash pads are a hallmark of summertime family fun for communities across the country. Typically free to use and open to the public, they’re an accessible and affordable way to keep children entertained when school’s out.
Solving For Vandalism
Many park-maintenance duties are of the standard variety. Repair needs surface after inclement weather, trails degrade from prolonged, heavy use, historic sites require more care with age, and the list goes on.
An Award-Winning Sustainability Initiative
Sustainability is a top priority for many of the nation’s parks, but passion doesn’t always translate to an impact. Park leaders are tasked with building and maintaining sustainability programs that deliver long-term results—even after initial enthusiasm wanes.
Programming Ideas For The Community, By The Community
When it comes to programming, most communities allow their parks department to set the tone, choosing a level of engagement based on what’s available. But, increasingly, residents aren’t waiting to see what’s on the calendar—they’re stepping in to develop the programs themselves.
Focus On Food
When spending time with others—friends, family, or people in one’s support networks—food is often a prerequisite. Whether at a holiday dinner, backyard barbecue, or picnic in the park, some of the most cherished memories are not only of those whom we saw or what we talked about, but also what was on our plates.
The Importance Of Low-Impact Hiking
The nation’s parks are attracting record numbers of visitors. Official National Park Service (NPS) numbers show that 73 parks had more than one-million recreation visits each in 2021, up from 60 parks the year prior.
Smashing Pumpkins In The Name Of Sustainability
Perhaps there’s no greater symbol of Halloween—and to a greater extent, the fall season—than pumpkins. Intricately carved or plain, stand-alone décor or part of a larger motif, pumpkin fever is hard to escape.
More Than Water Shutoffs
At first blush, winterization doesn’t seem as cumbersome as other fall-maintenance tasks like leaf removal. Park visitors, too, may not think much of it beyond the inconvenience of a few closed restrooms.
The Success Of Ninja Gyms
Ninja gyms are exploding in popularity across the country, driven largely by the fanfare around NBC’s American Ninja Warrior reality-competition series. But this extreme sport provides much more than weekly entertainment or an occasional adrenaline rush.
Campground Popularity Reaches New Heights
As with other outdoor activities, camping’s peak months tend to fall when the weather is warm, school is out, and free time is plentiful. However, recent years have given rise to a new pattern—full capacity year-round.
Attract National Events
Nationally recognized events can be a boon to cities large and small. Socially, they bring people together from far-flung locales and all walks of life.
Not Enough Lifeguards
Throughout the last two years, many industries have struggled to recruit, hire, and retain workers. Aquatic departments haven’t been immune to these challenges, but unlike other employers, they faced a labor shortage before the pandemic.
Managing Routine Maintenance
Among many reasons, park maintenance is important to ensure the safety of public facilities, protect investments in public lands, and position parks as a source of pride for local communities. But parks departments often have to juggle preventative work with other concerns, including emergencies, staffing shortages, and the addition of new parks or other construction projects.