Park Stories
PRB+ Magazine presents Park Stories - articles from the magazine, interviews with parks and recreation pros and more.
Park Stories
Parks: Letters To Jack
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A creative Halloween letter-writing program sparks local—and global—connections
By Chris Orr
The Tulare Parks & Recreation's "Letters to Jack Skellington" is a community-engagement program designed to promote literacy, community connection, and a holiday spirit. In 2025, the program went viral as the department received 5,000 letters from all 50 U.S. states (as well as Guam and Puerto Rico), Canada, England, Scotland, Germany, and Australia. This year, the program not only connected local residents but also facilitated a global connection through a shared, themed activity, creating a sense of belonging and community excitement during the Halloween season.