How the GEO Foundation makes the game of golf more sustainableBy Hal PhillipsEvery time folks think they’ve wrapped their heads around the scope of transformation here at municipally owned Corica Park Golf Course (...

Why Spikeball belongs in every summer camp’s programmingBy Andrew LuftgalssAny leader who has spent time around a playground, beach, or park has likely seen a circle of kids gathered around a small, trampoline-like...

Taking the lead with insurance for camps and campersBy Mark CeslowitzOperating a camp means creating memorable, often life-shaping experiences for kids. Underlying these opportunities for fun, adventure, and education, howe...

How inclusive playgrounds are transforming communitiesBy Chad KennedyAccording to the Centers for Disease Control, more than one in four people lives with disabilities. Yet many playgrounds and recreational spaces ...

How West Chicago Park District created an indoor jungle adventureBy Ashleigh TorbertWhen the West Chicago Park District opened the ARC Center in 2014, the goal was simple yet ambitious: to bring all the city’s recr...

How to launch an inclusive learn-to-ride bike campBy Andrew LuftglassFor many people, learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage. It’s a skill that gives them freedom and opens up the world to exploration and independence. For i...

Trends for the community waterpark By Josh MartinAs the popularity of waterparks continues to rise, local governments and municipalities have sought ways to bring the waterpark experience to their local...

Envisioning enriching and dynamic water play sitesBy Chelsea Hoffman and Max D'AurizioWater is inherently fascinating—children (and adults) are instinctively drawn to it. It’s a natural focal point for communal pla...

How splash pads can provide inclusive fun for allBy Ariel MansholtWhen the summer sun blazes, many families flock to splash pads to beat the heat. These play spaces can be a refreshing escape for children and careg...

Winona Lake Limitless Park is a model for inclusive play By Jessica DoomsWinona Lake Limitless Park is more than a playground—it’s a space where people of all ages and abilities can come together to play, conn...

Glass trends that blend sophistication and structural integrityBy Mike Mendoza Glass is more than just a material—it's a statement of modern elegance and innovation. Commonly used to enhance the decorative app...

Pocket parks can improve public life with minimal requirementsBy Mitchell FransenCommunity parks are often celebrated as the epitome of urban park experiences, as evidenced in Google results, bustling vehicular tra...

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...