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
National Recreation and Park Association
Non-profit Organizations
Ashburn, VA 38,164 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
-
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
-
Primary
22377 Belmont Ridge Road
Ashburn, VA 20148, US
Employees at National Recreation and Park Association
-
Breece Robertson
Turning Data and Information into Insights and Inspiration | Serves on National Boards and Committees | Author - "Protecting the Places We Love"
-
Rebecca Armstrong
Co-Founder, CEO at NORTH, CampaignUS 40 Over 40, Ad Age Best Places to Work, Ad Age Small Agency of the Year
-
Doug Vance
-
Charissa Hipp
Storyteller | Nonprofit Strategist | Nature Connection Advocate & Guide | Project Manager
Updates
-
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
-
Visit a Montgomery Parks skate park on any given weekend and you will see people of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels embracing the thrill of the concrete bowl on various wheels — inline skates, roller skates, bikes and skateboards. You will also spot observers seeking fresh air, camaraderie and perhaps some physical activity as well. These public spaces provide opportunities for diverse groups with different interests and agendas to come together to play and connect. Montgomery Parks, a large park system just outside Washington, D.C., in Montgomery County, Maryland, features 419 parks serving more than a million people. The department recently updated its long-term plan, the Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan, which revealed a trend: demand for more opportunities for physical activity and social interaction across diverse demographics. The county’s evolving landscape has transitioned from suburban to more urban, with densely populated areas once overlooked now gaining prominence. The revised plan aims to construct facilities that unite communities and foster increased physical engagement, social cohesion and outdoor exploration. This strategy spurred the decision to embark on the construction of five new skate parks, supplementing the existing three parks scattered throughout the county, as part of an inclusive initiative to enhance recreational opportunities. Read the full story from Marika Carley: https://lnkd.in/eM87vHSb #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #ParksAndRecMagazine #ParksAndRec #Parks #Skate #SkatePark #Parks #Recreation
-
Besides seeking out a professional, one of the easiest and best ways to improve mental health in our daily lives is to simply go outdoors. Unfortunately, not all Americans have the same access to fresh air, parks and other green spaces. A report from Active Living Research makes the case very clear: residents have fewer mental health issues and live happier, more productive lives when residing in locations with easy access to green areas. The more time spent enjoying the great outdoors and green spaces, the more it helps decrease the likelihood of depression, anxiety and stress. Ensuring all Americans have the opportunity to access parks and the additional activities they provide, including educational programming, is a critical way to improve health and quality of life. Read the full article from Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick: https://lnkd.in/eY_H-4Kn #WhereYouBelong #OutdoorsForAll #PowerOfParks #ParksAndRecMagazine
-
We had such a wonderful week in Washington, D.C., advocating for passage of the #OutdoorsForAll Act alongside members of NRPA’s Board of Directors, Business Council and Advocacy Committee! The Outdoors for All Act would increase access to park and recreation opportunities in local communities across the country – truly creating spaces #WhereYouBelong. There’s no better time than #ParkAndRecMonth to join NRPA in thanking our champions in the House who pushed for this bill and urging the Senate to pass this vital piece of legislation: https://lnkd.in/eQ5sQRrx
-
+2
-
National Recreation and Park Association reposted this
As you know, July is #ParkandRecreationMonth, and our National Recreation and Park Association team has kicked off our annual fundraising campaign to celebrate. I am excited to post this ask today, at the end of a powerful week of learning, engagement and advocacy for #ParksandRecreation in Washington, DC. One of the things your support enables #NRPA to do is advocate for policies and funding for the essential services and spaces that park and recreation professionals deliver. Your support helps us to: 📣 amplify stories of park and recreation impact; 💡 strengthen the field through professional development; 🤝 grow the network of partners supporting parks and rec; 🔎 build our case for support through research; and 🗽 educate political leaders and policy makers. Please consider supporting NRPA, the leading nonprofit dedicated to building strong, vibrant, and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. Your donation to NRPA will help us grow the profession and create places of belonging in communities across the country. Because an investment in parks and recreation is an investment in healthy communities! If you donate before July 31, you get access to our store and limited edition ‘Where You Belong’ Park and Rec month swag. Donations above $25 get a store credit towards purchases! For more information or to donate, click the link below. Thank you! 🌿❤️ https://lnkd.in/edPeT7Nd #whereyoubelong #powerofparks #OutdoorsForAll
-
+3
-
We couldn't agree more, Dr. Tiffany Johnson 🌟 Explore Tiffany's story, life-changing experiences, pieces of inclusion, belonging, mentorship, opportunity, career development, and enriching the lives of others. Watch the full video and others: https://bit.ly/43M6tUF Park and recreation professionals wear many hats, they're community builders, advocates, mentors- to name a few. We've found the stories they have to tell incredibly powerful. That’s why we started the video-storytelling project, Park and Recreation Stories. Through uplifting voices in the field we aim to highlight the power of parks, as well as significant events experienced by our members, partners and advocates. We’re excited to continue sharing these stories with you throughout 2024 and into 2025 as we begin celebrating our 60th anniversary. #ParkAndRecStories #NRPA60 #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #ParkAndRecMonth
-
Public parks and recreation spaces play a pivotal role in local communities across the country, offering residents a sanctuary for relaxation, outdoor enjoyment, socialization and physical activities. However, park and recreation departments have historically run into a large issue — how to make these spaces inclusive and accessible for everyone so that all community members can partake in rest and recuperation. Brian Stapleton, Vice President and General Manager at CivicPlus, shares ways we can create inclusive spaces for all in the July issue of Parks & Recreation magazine. Including... 📣Community engagement solutions 📱Inclusive programming technology 📖Diversity, equity and inclusion training And more! Read the article now: https://lnkd.in/eQqaJKmv #WhereYouBelong #PowerOfParks #ParkAndRecMonth #ParkAndRecMonth24 #ParksAndRecMagazine #ParksAndRec #Parks #Recreation #Inclusion # Belonging
-
We invite you to apply to our Equity in Practice Certificate Program! The Equity in Practice program is designed as a transformative experience where park and recreation professionals will learn and apply the four competencies for equity in practice: 🌱Self-awareness 📣Direct communication 🤝Relationships across difference ⚖️Race equity analysis Collectively, these competencies promote understanding, dialogue, and action towards equity. Read the full blog from our Senior Education Manager for DEI, Tiff Cunin, to learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/ehKCZTwp #WhereYouBelong #Inclusion #Equity #PowerOfParks #ParksAndRec #NRPAEducation
-
This year, during the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference, Dan Buettner, author, explorer and founder of Blue Zones®, will deliver the keynote address to park and recreation professionals and park advocates attending the event. Buettner, a modern-day adventurer on a quest for the secret to long life and happiness, will share his groundbreaking research and findings at the Opening General Session on Tuesday, October 8, in Atlanta. Buettner has been instrumental in supporting and promoting decisions by city officials to create walkable neighborhoods and accessible green spaces while also championing policies that place people at the center of city planning. His core messaging considers the environment in which you live and the constitution of your community — your friends, neighbors and family — as essential details of human health and longevity. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dP9cvJFB #WhereYouBelong #NRPAConference #PowerOfParks #ParksAndRec #BlueZones #Parks #Recreation #Community #Wellbeing #Health