Articles
Meeting In The Middle: Urban Nature Playgrounds
Let’s face it. Kids today have a whole new definition of the word “play.” On average, they spend only 4 to 7 minutes per day in unstructured outdoor play and a whopping 7 hours per day in front of a screen.
What’s Your Secret?
Kids today have a lot of options when it comes to choosing sports and activities to fill their days.
A Shot In The Arm
Hard Labor Creek State Park is a popular destination approximately one hour east of Atlanta, Ga.
Stepping Up For Residents
Largo Town Center Park is located in Largo, Md., a rapidly growing suburb in Prince George’s County, outside of Washington, D.C. with a population of approximately 11,000 people.
Cycling for a Cause
This summer, the STIHL Tour des Trees celebrates its silver anniversary—25 years of challenging participants to hop on their bikes for a weeklong, 500-plus-mile, cycling event in support of trees, environmental conservation, and sustaining urban green spaces.
Fiberglass Interpretive Signs
Years ago, as a young man in college, I arrived at one of my most difficult decisions. I wasn't sure how to use a personality that was simply not engaging youth to contribute to a field I cared about deeply.
Budding With Possibilities
In June 2016, the town of Newtown, Conn., welcomed a groundbreaking project, the Newtown Fruit Trail—a one-mile, paved walking loop lined with 100-percent edible fruit trees, nut trees, berry bushes, and healing native plants.
Simple Solutions Make A Big Impact
Centennial Beach, a historic aquatic facility in Naperville, Ill., has been a favorite destination for families for 85 years.
A Spray Ground By Any Other Name
They go by many names—spray grounds, splash pads, spray parks, and splash play areas. No matter how they are identified, more and more parks and rec departments are calling them good for business.
The New Normal
The crowd had long since departed, and June sat alone at the corner of the eight-foot table covered in red plastic. The posters the grandkids made, which included the most memorable shots of Papa, were still propped up on easels by the door:
Science Says
No matter what our place is on the political spectrum, if we live and work in the United States, we exist in a world of facts, and “alternative facts.”
Taking Thrill To New Heights
Extreme Generation is a towering adventure playground with challenging physical events for children seeking the ultimate extreme play experience.
Who Says Fun Isn’t Universal?
At the recent ribbon cutting for Arlington County’s renovated Quincy Park playground in Virginia, families gathered to enjoy the beautiful weather and watch their children test out the new equipment.
Sunday Supper
I took the extra-long lag bolts out of the bag and turned the ancient, rotting picnic benches upside-down on the table.
Extreme Sports, Extreme Maintenance?
Extreme sports are defined by various sources as those that—if performed optimally by participants at any level—can lead to serious injury or even death; in other words, they are normally more dangerous than baseball or soccer.
Adapted Swimming
The Cincinnati Recreation Commission’s (CRC) individualized, adapted swimming program is year-round and designed for swimmers of all ability levels.
Bella Of The Block Party
With the arrival of each new season in the city of Chaska, Minn., there are opportunities to gather with neighbors and make community connections!
Laying The Ground Rules
Ideally, a successful natural grass-playing surface requires someone in the role of “sports field manager” to make and implement decisions that deliver safe, quality playing surfaces on a consistent basis.
Grinding Out The Details
Skateparks are quickly becoming the darling of a city’s recreational needs, as opposed to 20 years ago when they were considered a frivolous waste of public funds. Why the change?
Coed Youth-Sports Programs
My introduction to the workforce came in the form of being an elementary-school physical education teacher.