Park Stories
PRB+ Magazine presents Park Stories - articles from the magazine, interviews with parks and recreation pros and more.
Episodes
218 episodes
Programming: Why Should Kids Have All The Fun?
Inside Moreno Valley’s Adult Flashlight Egg ScrambleBy Jeremy BubnickEgg hunts are traditionally associated with children, baskets, and daylight—but the City of Moreno Valley, Calif., has proven that play has no ag...
Parks: Letters To Jack
A creative Halloween letter-writing program sparks local—and global—connectionsBy Chris OrrThe Tulare Parks & Recreation's "Letters to Jack Skellington" is a community-engagement program designed to promote lit...
Rec Facilities: Swimming More Sustainably
Eco-friendly elements improve operating efficiency at new aquatic facilitiesBy Brianne SanchezColoradans who love to swim, splash, and soak with a view of Mount Sopris will soon do all three more sustainably at a new Carbon...
Aquatics: Noting And Floating Kids Nationwide
The Note and Float Life Jacket Fund boosts water safety with life-saving donationsBy Rachel GriffithsNearly two decades ago, the Note and Float program was created by Dr. Tom Griffiths while he served as the Direct...
Aquatics: The Backbone Of Reliable Aquatic Operations
How preventive maintenance reduces downtime, controls costs, and protects community accessBy Myles PhelpsEvery community pool tells a story—from early-morning swim practices to first lessons and lifelong fitness. T...
Parks: The Frontlines Of Community Health
Parks can be a prescription, but who gets them?By Karen Fischer
Parks: Keeping Up
Working smarter to improve waste collection in Georgetown County, South CarolinaBy Jackie R. Broach
Grounds Maintenance: More Than Mowing
The maintenance blueprint that sustains Inland GreensBy Jonathan Batts and Charles DavisLong before Wilmington, N.C., wakes up, before the first golfer tees up the day’s opening shot, work at Inland Greens is already in mot...
Parks: From Parks To Profit
How Miami’s The Underline built an economy of connectionBy Eulois CleckleyMiami has always been a city that moves fast and dreams big. From its art deco past to its tech-forward present, this community thrives on r...
Parks: Following A New “Greenprint”
How Louisville is using science to shape a healthier downtownBy Travis RagsdaleWhen city leaders in Louisville, Ky., signed the Greenprint Charter, they weren’t launching another beautification project. They were testing wh...
Conservation: Unknown Lands
Midewin Tallgrass Prairie offers a new blueprint for conservationBy Karen FischerI don’t know what a prairie looks like, yet I spent years living in the Midwest. But neither do you, even if you’re reading this, fro...
Where Nature Meets Rhythm: Creating Pollinator Gardens That Sing
Discover how camps across the U.S. are transforming outdoor spaces into vibrant pollinator gardens filled with music. In this CampFest webinar, Percussion Play explores how nature-inspired outdoor musical instruments invite campers to s...
Programming: Guiding Our Youth
How Asheville Parks & Recreation is building a mentorship program that works for its communityBy Christo BubenikParks and recreation professionals often see their roles as providing spaces and opportunities for people o...
Rec Facilities: Future Readiness
How civic architecture can redefine resilienceBy Jeff KuhnhennAs communities face frequent climate events, social disruptions, and infrastructure challenges, civic architecture is being reimagined as a front line o...
Parks: Fun On Wheels
Mobile recreation units help residents access amenities and build communityBy Brianne SanchezCan giant yard games like Connect Four encourage neighbors to connect more?Leaders in the rapidly growing suburb o...
Parks: Winning The Vote
How to run a successful recreation facilities referendum By Emily GebhardtRecreation centers, public parks and trails, pools, and athletic facilities form the foundation of community wellness and engagement. ...
Parks: Leading With Purpose In Parks & Recreation
By Dave HerpyIn today’s dynamic world of parks and recreation, effective leadership is more essential than ever. This field plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life in our communities, yet the challenges facing our te...
Programming: The Power Of Immersion
A unique outdoor program for adultsBy Leah CarlsonFor over 25 years, Wilderness Awareness School's Immersion program has transformed the lives of adults through an intense, nine-month, nature connection experience. Located ...
Parks: Communication Boards
A critical way to increase ADA complianceBy VernaAnn KotanskyInclusive playgrounds give all children an opportunity to enjoy one of the most essential parts of childhood—play. Unfortunately, many accessible playgro...
Rec Facilities: Conducting a “Sound” Pickleball Siting Study
Planning for and mitigating noise issuesBy Brandon KunkelWhether you love pickleball for its energetic, fast pace or hate it for the constant rhythmic, popping noise of the plastic ball, its status as one of the fa...
Rec Facilities: From Community Need To Civic Icon
Palm Coast’s Southern Recreation Center sets a new standard for sustainable sports designBy Sam ElsheikhNestled within a 63-acre campus adjacent to the Palm Coast Tennis Center, the City of Palm Coast’s new Souther...
Parks: Revenue Development For Public Parks
The entrepreneurial-planning approach By Howard Kozloff and Ben DonskyPublic parks are often caught between providing accessible amenities and programs for the community and finding ways to generate revenue fo...
Parks: On The Right Path
How trails are essential to climate resilienceBy Clement LauAs climate change intensifies, communities around the globe face unprece...