Articles
A Positive Spin
“The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.” – Peggy O’Mara
As a parent of three young children, I have to second-guess so many things I’ve said to my kids. Was I too tough? Not tough enough?
Splash, Trickle, And Flow
Mistakes in design and installation give water features a mixed reputation, despite the fact they can provide valuable elements in landscaping. Several key issues are often overlooked during the
Eternal Vigilance
As representatives from the original 13 colonies gathered in Philadelphia late on the afternoon of July 4, 1776, to sign the Declaration of Independence, President of the Continental Congress,
Dedicated To The Next Generation
Recreation professionals often put in ridiculously long hours, so even the smallest gestures from youngsters in the programs can have the biggest impact. Just ask Landon Carroll, the Recreation
What It Takes To Shine
For years, the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) has touted itself as the leading advocate for positive and safe youth sports in America. And from time to time, we get people
Riffing Off The Ritz
It is well understood that quality customer service is of utmost importance in any business, and the delivery of recreation and parks services is certainly no exception. However, what too many
Suck It Up
I was 16 years old when I watched underdog Rocky Balboa nearly beat heavyweight champion Apollo Creed into submission late in the last round. He broke Apollo’s ribs and the champ was
Passive Parks
When parks and rec departments develop their inventories of facilities, the lead elements are more often than not the active sports centers that cater to youth and adult enthusiasts: soccer,
Banish Bullying
I remember a day in shop class when one of these kids actually approached me from behind and choked me with a sanding belt. Our teacher saw the entire episode and never did a thing. I
The Art Of Leaving Items "Undone"
In beginning a career—whether it is straight out of trade school, college, or high school—you are told that the way to make an impression and “move up” is to get things done. If people can put their f
Beauty Is More Than Just Skin Deep
When it comes to maintaining outdoor tennis and basketball courts, beauty is more than skin deep. Parks and recreation professionals who care for these facilities are painfully aware of this.
The "Mane" Attraction
It's fairly difficult to miss seeing a lion, but it appears that several of these beasts were overlooked for quite some time before they were re-purposed and thrown into a Boston park to play with chi
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.