Getting kids to sample all sorts of sports

By John Engh

Growing up, I played just about every sport imaginable, and I’m glad I did. I loved baseball from the start and was lucky to play all through high school. Everything about the game fascinated me. Some of my most treasured childhood memories involve stepping onto the field every spring for another season with my teammates.

Progress and opportunity along the 3,700-mile route of the Great American Rail-Trail

By Kevin Belle

When Powell County, Mont., purchased an 11-mile stretch of the former Milwaukee Road railroad corridor in 2017, officials weren’t yet aware it would become part of the nation’s first cross-country, multi-use trail. However, the county’s location along the route has sparked big thinking and a vision that extends far beyond the boundaries of the county.

Park model cabins provide camper and staff housing that’s flexible and sustainable

By Gina Tabasso

Many people have fond childhood memories of camping with their families and enjoying the outdoors, but the experience of camping has changed dramatically. Gone are the days of simply pitching tents or hauling around a pop-up camper behind the car and using a shared bathhouse while cooking over a campfire. Many parks and campgrounds now offer cabins for more private, overnight stays, as well as for staff housing to avoid costly hotel stays or lengthy commutes.

The struggle to preserve paddle tennis amidst the rise of pickleball 

By Janine Parkinson

In an era when trends come and go with the scroll of a finger, there's something comforting about tradition. It's the thread woven through the fabric of people’s lives, connecting to the past and pointing toward the future. Whether it's the crack of a bat on a baseball diamond or the disciplined steps taken in a martial arts dojo, tradition grounds people, reminding them who they are and where they come from.

Advice on maintaining a disc-golf course

By Danielle Spence

There are more than 14,000 disc-golf courses available worldwide, with over 1.2-million disc golfers, according to UDisc’s Disc Golf Growth Report. The West Chicago Park District, located 32 miles from downtown Chicago, maintains an 18-hole disc-golf course within Kress Creek Farms Park. With packs of mature oak trees, rolling hills, a catch-and-release pond, and large swaths of prairie, this park offers a true golf-like experience that requires proper placement of holes and frequent maintenance.

How to score parks & rec bonds in a challenging economy

By Karen Fischer

When it comes to the economy, 2024 has been a confounding year. There has often been positive news, but elevated interest rates have held steady, and the costs of everyday goods and services remain stubbornly high. Persistent inflation has forced many families to choose between wants and needs, with many wants falling by the wayside. 

The fight for fair access to play

By Kevin Paul

J.T. Johnson sat dripping in his bathing suit, jailed on a hot June day in 1963 after the briefest of swims at the Monson Motor Lodge in balmy St. Augustine, Fla.

Throughout the 1960s, ordinary people, outraged by the indignity of segregation, staged “wade-in” protests at swimming pools and beaches across America. Historian Victoria Wolcott characterizes these leisure spaces as “among the most segregated and fought-over public spaces” during this time, in part because they symbolized belonging in a growing, empowered middle class. Leisure spaces frequented by young people were often subject to the highest levels of scrutiny.

Partners help bring Burleson’s special-needs soccer clinic to fruition

By London Pulfer

Texas-based Burleson Parks and Recreation’s vision is to support a vibrant and healthy community by providing everyone with opportunities to learn, grow, and play. As talks began about coordinating the department’s first special-needs soccer clinic, leaders wanted to remain true to this goal.

Simple strategies to get the most from seasonal hires

By Ron Ciancutti

I worked in the parks and recreation field for almost 50 years before I retired, and I remember that when I told people what I did for a living, they always responded with, “Oh, that must be so nice.” 

How Portland’s parks are engaging the entire community

By Laura Wheatman Hill

Portland, Ore., and the surrounding suburbs have great natural beauty. Trails, natural areas, and water sources abound for people seeking recreation and relaxation. However, the formal playgrounds and parks have also incorporated new designs and features in recent years.

New park projects and rebuilds of existing parks have been designed with “radical inclusivity” in mind, to create accessible spaces for all ages, abilities, and interests. This design framework is not only an advantageous move for diversity and inclusion practices, but also makes for beautiful, exciting spaces.