A transformative journey for Santa AnaBy Timothy J. PaganoIn 2022, the City of Santa Ana, Calif. embarked on a transformative journey to bring its aquatic programming back in-house, marking a bold shift in its appr...

CDC, NSF, and Westlake Water Solutions offer annual facility-maintenance tipsBy Frank SchiffmanThe COVID-19 pandemic, followed by inflationary cost increases, has made it more difficult for aquatic facility manager...

How Makapo Aquatics centers inclusivity in watersportsBy Grace Nyberg“We just wanted people of all abilities to be able to get on the water together,” says RJ De Rama, Executive Director and co-founder of Makapo Aq...

Revolutionizing parks and recreationBy Jason PetersLike many industries, parks and recreation departments are benefiting from using AI and data to optimize operations. Based on insights from industry leaders with diverse ba...

What it takes to maintain an ice-skating rinkBy Hannah SeoA beloved and longstanding staple of wintertime recreation, gliding around on knife-strapped boots is an annual must-do activity for families around the world. But w...

Iowa nonprofit Can Play empowers communities for inclusive recreationBy Brianne Sanchez“Tonight, we’re going to work on building strong muscles and fast feet!” Melissa Clarke-Wharff calls out to a group of pre-teens warming...

Balancing the needs of workers, communities, and land By Clement LauAs the world transitions from fossil fuels to cleaner, renewable energy sources, the concept of a "just transition" has gained prominence as a framewo...

Building a sustainable camp cultureBy Danny SudmanImagine sustainability as a massive LEGO set—a collection of colorful bricks, each representing a resource that helps build a sustainable model. Unlike traditional LEGO sets...

A changing climate is bringing new animals to public spacesBy Karen FischerThe end of summer 2024 brought several massive hurricanes to the East Coast, flooding homes, destroying power grids, and costing hundreds of billion...

How to prevent carbon monoxide leaks in ice rinksBy Laura Wheatman HillThough ice skating provides joy, connection, and fitness in many communities, unexpected dangers lurk in rinks.

For Jon Pallone, head baseball coach at Quakertown Community High School in Quakertown, Penn., the umpire shouting “Play ball!” to begin the team’s March 2024 home opener took on special meaning.By Dan Hanson

A holistic approach to greenspace management By Nathan KroisIn the midst of burgeoning urbanization and escalating environmental concerns, greenspaces within urban infrastructure have become more significant than...

How cities can harness innovation to give residents equitable experiencesBy William HealyAccording to the CDC, up to one in four adults in the United States has some form of disability. Yet, when many public recr...

Strategies to jump-start your next community-recreation master planBy John Dzarnowski, Dan Nicholas and Daniel AtilanoIn today's fast-paced world, accessible and well-designed recreational spaces ...

With extreme temps becoming the norm, cities and builders find ways to adaptBy Karen FischerFor the past few summers, new heat records were set almost daily, across the country. The phenomenon suggests no single ...

The hardest worker in parks and rec…except for youBy Mary Helen SprecherWith the exception of parks and recreation staff, is there anything in the sector that works harder than the gym? After all, it might host e...

With caution and care, change can lead to unexpected resultsBy Ron CiancuttiThe Board of Commissioners noticed a pattern. Of the many commodities and services our park system engaged (e.g., office supplies, aggreg...

Defining and designing resilient recreation structuresBy Tony BouquotThe Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex (also known as the Obama Sports Complex) at Rancho Cienega Park is owned by the City of Los Angele...

The inclusive magic of Toms River’s Field of DreamsBy Nikki KellyThe RWJBH Field of Dreams, in Toms River, N.J., is more than a playground—it’s a groundbreaking example of

Stepping up to help young athletesBy John EnghMental health is an essential aspect of overall well-being, yet it's often overlooked in youth sports, which can lead to devastating consequences. 

What is a playground’s role in connecting kids to nature?By Hannah SeoIn 1930s Denmark, landscape architect Carl Theodor Sørensen had an epiphany. Playgrounds in urban settings, with their uniform, predictable st...

Creating a camp business plan for long-term success By Jason SchaitzA formal business plan helps directors run a camp, serving as a guide through each stage of operation management. The plan provides the structur...

Pioneering the future of inclusive recreationBy Adam Arndt Moss Universal Park is a revolutionary, innovative project designed to create a universally inclusive recreational space. Scheduled to break ground in sp...

Consider these sports to refresh your camp recreation lineupBy Mary Helen SprecherWhen campers are ready to return, directors and counselors are tasked with keep...

Inside the grand opening of the Jackson Recreation Center's new climbing gymBy Amberley RansomAfter a decade-long absence, indoor climbing has returned with the grand opening of the new climbing gym at the Teton ...