Articles
Education And Testing
As a playground owner/operator, you not only have the responsibility of opening playgrounds in a socially and physically distanced world, but you must concern yourself with preventing injuries and complying
Watch An Exhibit Come To Life!
We talk a lot about “process.” We have a design process and a production process, and together they create the road map for a project. The most exciting part about our process is watching the progress that
Restroom Design
When building a new park, there are a lot of design elements and basic amenities to consider. One necessity is having a restroom facility for park patrons. Take some time to consider the following when
Shady Days Are Here Again
Located in sunny Miramar, Fla., Ansin Sports Complex is a large 24-acre state-of-the-art sports complex that is home to a Class 2 internationally certified track, community center, and other amenities. Shade
Fortifying Communities With Metal-Building Alternatives
Parks and recreation facilities are the heart of a community and provide a valuable way for people to exercise, socialize, and engage, even as they overcome the impacts of COVID-19. The facilities also offer
Financially Speaking
It seems like a no-brainer to predict that most school-district budgets are going to take a big hit because of the effects of COVID-19 on the economy. How much less money is anybody’s guess at this point, but
Out-Of-The-Box Thinking
Painesville Recreation Department in Ohio was prepping for its busiest time of the year, but with the news of the COVID-19 virus, summer camp was not going to start on time and was in jeopardy of being
Engagement Didn’t Stop
It’s not unusual for Metroparks Toledo’s “Big Board,” a master list of announcements and events, to change as schedules and conditions evolve, but the 2020 edition could have been written on an Etch-a-Sketch.
Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes
The events in recent months reveal there needs to be real change in this country. The system best equipped to be the catalyst for this change is the parks and recreation profession. It is important that
Moving Forward
Elbow bumps are replacing handshakes, and virtual yoga is replacing hot yoga—but are these temporary measures part of maintaining a flattened curve or a permanent societal shift in how we engage with one
Reflections Of A Park Planner
Coronavirus. COVID-19. Social distancing. Face coverings. Contact tracing. By now, these are words that all of us are probably sick and tired of hearing and saying. Due to the pandemic, our lives have changed. We
What Have You Learned?
In 2012, I was a headliner for a special event in Chicago that was expecting upwards of 80,000 spectators. The night before, a massive storm tore through the area, ripping down tents and causing mayhem. The
Suddenly Masked!
In March 2020, I was going about business as usual and looking forward to spring conferences. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, a pandemic arrived, changing my work life (and probably yours), maybe forever.
A New Path Forward
“When should we start youth sports again?” “What are other communities doing?” “Is it safe?” As the COVID-19 pandemic lingered through the summer, these were some of the endless questions my
More Than A Passing Grade
My dad worked as a metallurgist with Ford Motor Company for 42 years. His dad worked at ALCOA Steel in Pennsylvania for 35 years. When I graduated from college, Ford was waiting for me to interview for a
What A Long, Strange Trip
It’s safe to say that most peoples’ lives came to a screeching halt sometime in March 2020. While many were turning their kitchen tables into makeshift offices, many of you were also dealing with the fallout of