Articles
Instilling Life Values
As the nation's third-largest county park system, Miami-DadeCountyParks, Recreation and Open Spaces in Florida provides youth-sports programming for a jaw-dropping 9,000 youngsters.That's a lot of kid
Trail Maintenance
“Happy trails to you, until we meet again.Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.”--”Happy Trails,” Dale Evans Rogers The average person walking along a beautiful tree-lined trail in a park is pr
Game Changers
A few minutes into the second half of Super Bowl XLVII, a Baltimore Ravens receiver returned a kickoff 108 yards, tying a NFL record, and with the score 28-6, essentially putting the last nail in the
Focusing On Fun
Youngsters participating in sports programs at the Simpsonville Parks and Recreation Department in Kentucky will never complain about being bored. Department Director Chris Truelock makes sure of
The Art Of Rationalization
One day I planted myself in a public area downtown where a lot of brown-baggers eat their lunch. As I sat and listened, I realized that casual, meal-time conversations bring about topics
Create A Softer Landing
About this time of year, as spring sports give way to summer activities, parks and rec maintenance professionals turn their attention towards getting fields ready for fall football.
The Battle Of Balance
We all remember the sports we played in backyards and on playgrounds growing up. The first order of business was dividing up into equal teams so we could have fun and an evenly matched competition.
A Legacy Without A Footprint
A resort in Oregon offers horse-drawn sleigh rides to a yurt where waiters donning tuxedoes pair the finest wines with prime rib, salmon, and other delicacies.
Youth-Sports Officials
One of the biggest challenges recreation professionals face is finding—and keeping—quality volunteer coaches.
Closed For Maintenance
Closed for maintenance—these are three words that parks and rec professionals and patrons do not enjoy seeing posted on the front door of any rec facility. However, when they apply to
Goodbye, Neighbor
My neighbor Chuck passed away on New Year’s Day. He was 67 years old, 10 years older than me. When my family and I moved in next door 24 years ago, he was a youthful 43-year old—albeit living with his parents—but still a man with dreams.
Adopt A Reflective Mindset
Those readers who have spent time working with young people are likely familiar with the phrase “teachable moments.” And those who have heard the term probably embrace the idea
Ship-Shape
With spring in the air, children begin to anticipate the end of another school year and the start of summer camp; this is why parks and rec professionals are gearing up now for high-paced action.
Parent Meetings
A well-planned and executed pre-season parent meeting can help set the tone for a fun and stress-free season for all involved.
A Paradigm Shift
The Wall Street Journal (July 11, 2017) featured an article titled “The Rise of the Free 5K” that discussed Parkrun, a grassroots program developed and delivered by non-parks and rec staff.
What It Means To Forgive
She was just doing her job as she had for years, driving a bus for the local transit authority. She was looking forward to a quiet evening at home with her family—wondering what she would
Crying Fowl
There are a few issues in the parks and rec realm that seem to constantly rear their ugly heads in departments across the country. One of these topics will likely generate a lively discussion—geese.
The Book Of Life
My wife and I were putting together a birthday card for one of our nephews. We stuck a couple $20 bills and a picture of him when he was much younger in the envelope and sealed it.
Squash It!
Too often, park and rec or youth-development professionals become inadvertently paralyzed by fear, and programs and participants suffer. While apprehension and fear are perfectly normal feelings,
Dirty Dozen--Avoid these field-maintenance mistakes
Poorly maintained youth-sports fields are big trouble for a lot of reasons—most notably they put young athletes at increased and unnecessary risk of injury.