Sandy Heath believes that environments tend to feel comfortable and welcoming because of anchoring experiences that create a shared understanding of what inclusivity feels like. "I believe we can build a better world through our profession by pushing ourselves in new situations that improve our awareness of how another person might experience the world, being an inclusion practitioner who is open to learning when we get it wrong, and finding opportunities to build culture and community that celebrate, support and respect individuals." Read the full article from Sandy Heath, Assistant Professor of the Parks and Recreation Management Program at Northern Arizona University: https://bit.ly/4bxyIbT #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #ParksAndRec #Parks #Recreation #AdaptiveSports #Inclusion #Belonging
National Recreation and Park Association
Non-profit Organizations
Ashburn, VA 38,334 followers
Because everyone deserves a great park
About us
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. NRPA advances this vision by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals as a catalyst for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. NRPA’s network of more than 60,000 park and recreation professionals and advocates represents public spaces in urban communities, rural settings and everything in between. NRPA champions and supports the field of parks and recreation through professional development, advocacy, grants and programs, research, publications and more.
- Website
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http://www.nrpa.org
External link for National Recreation and Park Association
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Ashburn, VA
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1965
Locations
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Primary
22377 Belmont Ridge Road
Ashburn, VA 20148, US
Employees at National Recreation and Park Association
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Breece Robertson
Turning Data and Information into Insights and Inspiration | Serves on National Boards and Committees | Author - "Protecting the Places We Love"
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Rebecca Armstrong
Co-Founder, CEO at NORTH, CampaignUS 40 Over 40, Ad Age Best Places to Work, Ad Age Small Agency of the Year
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Doug Vance
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Charissa Hipp
Storyteller | Nonprofit Strategist | Nature Connection Advocate & Guide | Project Manager
Updates
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In 1994, following local naturalist Bill Wingate’s efforts to steward and protect the area, Sterne’s Woods and Fen was designated as an Illinois Nature Preserve, protecting rare fen wetlands present in the space. “One of the things that makes Sterne’s Woods and Fen unique is the fen because of the rarity of the fen and what makes a fen,” says Skultety. “The area was carved by the glaciers, and the deposits from the glaciers are gravel heavy up in the hillsides.” According to the U.S. Forest Service, “Fens are peat-forming wetlands that rely on groundwater input and require thousands of years to develop and cannot easily be restored once destroyed.” The park district has completed extensive hydrologic restoration work to reduce erosion and regenerate wetlands where infrastructure added throughout the decades, like horse tracks, has disturbed the water-outflow patterns, says Fiorina. The restoration work will not only improve ecosystem health, but also public safety by reducing the potential for flooding in the area. Learn about Crystal Lake's stewardship decisions and immersive education in the full article from Alexandra Reynolds, our Associate Editor of Parks & Recreation magazine: https://lnkd.in/eRqhXmTy #WhereYouBelong #Conservation #ParksAndRecMagazine #PowerOfParks
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Happy Park and Recreation Professionals Day 👏 Thank you to all the amazing individuals who make this field the wonderful place it is. We cannot imagine what communities across the country would be like without your work. Your work brings people together, connects us to nature, and above all, makes us all happy! Thank you!!! If you aren't a park and recreation professional, get out, thank your locals and consider getting into the field! Learn more about Park and Recreation Month: https://lnkd.in/eEzgV9Ti Thank you to our 2024 Park and Recreation Month sponsors, (USTA) United States Tennis Association, Bobcat Company, and ACTIVE Network! Your support means we can focus more energy and time on uplifting the powerful nature of parks, recreation, and the professionals behind this work. Support the advancement of parks and recreation: https://lnkd.in/eJhqF3M4 Image: Montgomery Parks Cover Contest Submission #WhereYouBelong #ParksAndRecMonth #PowerOfParks #ParksAndRec #Parks #Recreation #Belonging #Inclusion
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Support our work by donating today! All donors who make a gift between now and July 31 will receive access to our brand new Park and Recreation Month retail store. Gifts of $25 or more will receive a store credit. Consider it a small token of our appreciation and great opportunity to spread Park and Recreation Month awareness! Your donation to NRPA will help others grow the profession and create places of belonging in their communities. Donate now: https://bit.ly/4bRsRhX #WhereYouBelong #ParkAndRecMonth24 #PowerOfParks
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July is not only Park & Recreation Month, it's Disability Pride Month🌟 We wanted to thank all the park and recreation professionals who are pushing for more inclusive ways to play! The sensory tents and kits, therapeutic recreation programs, and adaptable playground equipment you offer your community make a BIG impact. Everyone deserves to play, thank you for making that possible! The City of Merriam shared this wonderful photo with us for our 2024 Park and Recreation Month Cover Contest. The photo features Anna Sarol of Lenexa, Anna was the first person to test out We-Go-Swing – the first in the world! The swing allows people who use wheelchairs to swing without having to transfer out of their wheelchairs. Having this piece of equipment at one of their parks makes the Just Right city more inclusive to all. Learn more about Park and Recreation Month: https://lnkd.in/eEzgV9Ti Support the advancement of parks and recreation: https://lnkd.in/eJhqF3M4 #WhereYouBelong #ParksAndRecMonth #PowerOfParks #ParksAndRec #Parks #Recreation #Belonging #Inclusion
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Could your community use a $100,000 park and recreation makeover? Check out this opportunity from our partners at Bobcat Company 🌱
Already hitting home runs and revitalizing communities! ⚾️ We’ve launched the Bobcat Park & Rec Makeover Contest for a community to win a $100,000 renovation. If you’d like to make a change in your community, nominate them at: https://lnkd.in/gNCStKBu #MoreThanAMachine #WeAreBobcat National Recreation and Park Association
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Park and recreation professionals often get asked, “Is it like the show?” The show in question is the sitcom Parks and Recreation. Leslie Knope, deputy director of the parks department in fictional Pawnee, Indiana, wants to beautify her town by assisting local nurse Ann Perkins in transforming an abandoned construction site into a communal park. Numerous obstacles impede the progress of what ought to be a rather straightforward project! It’s hilarious, but is it an accurate depiction of working for a park and recreation department in local government? The answer is yes! Well, sort of. Read the full blog post from Rebecca Ortiz, the athletics and rentals coordinator for City of Irving (Texas) Parks and Recreation Department: https://lnkd.in/dypaZfNg #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #ParksAndRec #ParkAndRecMonth2024 #ParkAndRecMonth
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"While writing this story, I kept returning to some of my favorite summer camp counselor memories — such as the camper who used to be afraid of the creek, running up to me with the largest bullfrog I had ever seen. Heartwarming? Absolutely. Inspirational? Nothing groundbreaking. I tried coming up with the funniest camp moment to discuss — that perfectly timed joke from a witty camper or laughs with co-counselors after a long day. Story after story led me to a reminiscent chuckle and the quintessential, 'Ah, you had to be there.' But that sentence stuck with me for a moment — 'You had to be there.' How often does that get lost in our day? As park and recreation professionals, we get to be there. We get to be part of making lifelong memories for children in our camps. We get to be there enriching older adults at the community center. We get to be there maintaining parks for our community to enjoy. We get to be there, bringing joy, relationships, confidence, growth, presence, grit and resilience." Park and recreation professionals do so much to ensure community members have opportunities for memorable experiences. But, it is easy to get wrapped up in the hecticness of summer programming. Read the article from Alyssa Schulte, Fitness and Wellness Supervisor for the Centerville-Washington, Ohio, Park District, it will perfectly ground you in your work! https://lnkd.in/eMkdcej3 #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #ParksAndRec #ParkAndRecMonth2024 #ParkAndRecMonth
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Every day, park and recreation professionals support community health and well-being across seven unique but interconnected dimensions. The programs, services and opportunities park and recreation professionals provide ensure that communities achieve optimal well-being. At our 2023 Annual Conference Member Booth, attendees were invited to share how they support the seven dimensions of wellbeing. By compiling this feedback, we can see the unique ways park and recreation professionals are embracing the dimensions and supporting health and well-being. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eEb6PHit #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #Wellbeing #Health #Wellness #ParksAndRec #NRPAConference #Parks #Recreation
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This week we applaud the stellar programming that park and recreation agencies offer to communities across the country👏 With diverse activities and adaptable spaces, they get all bodies movin and groovin! The Fairfax County Park Authority's Skate the Wake event is a great example. Community members gathered for a skate competition, free lessons, music, graffiti art, and sensory-friendly tent! Events and programs like these allow a broader range of individuals to get psyched on being active and outdoors, truly building a sense of belonging. Learn more about the Park and Recreation Month: https://lnkd.in/eEzgV9Ti Thank you to our 2024 Park and Recreation Month sponsors, (USTA) United States Tennis Association, Bobcat Company, and ACTIVE Network! Your support means we can focus more energy and time on uplifting the powerful nature of parks, recreation, and the professionals behind this work. Support the advancement of parks and recreation: https://lnkd.in/eJhqF3M4 #WhereYouBelong #ParksAndRecMonth #PowerOfParks #ParksAndRec #Parks #Recreation #Belonging #Inclusion
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