Open Space Radio: Parks and Recreation Trends artwork

Open Space Radio: Parks and Recreation Trends

191 episodes - English - Latest episode: 17 days ago - ★★★★★ - 39 ratings

Open Space Radio covers trends in parks and recreation, shares news from the field, and interviews park and recreation professionals making a difference in their communities. Open Space Radio is the official podcast of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) — Because everyone deserves a great park.

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Episodes

Creating a World Where Humanity Stands Out — Episode 153

April 09, 2024 08:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MB

On today’s episode, we’re talking with someone who has been making a big impact in the larger outdoor industry for a while now. Teresa Baker, founder of In Solidarity Project, is an outdoor enthusiast focusing on community engagement, creating events that encourage people to venture outdoors responsibly, and learning about our open spaces and what it takes to protect them. Teresa’s commitment to creating outdoor experiences that speak to culture, environmental responsibility and inclusio...

Creating Space for Belonging in Juneau, Alaska — Episode 152

March 12, 2024 11:00 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MB

March is Women’s History Month, and this year’s theme celebrates women who advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion. This year we are honoring women who lead change in their field, and today’s episode does just that. There are so many women who are leaders in parks and recreation and bringing positive change to their communities, and today we’re excited to talk with two women who are leading the way in Juneau, Alaska. Our guests today are Amanda Lovejoy, a recreation coordinator at the...

Having Fun and Doing the Right Thing in San Antonio — Episode 151

February 13, 2024 11:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MB

We know the importance of partnerships in parks and recreation, and on today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving into an exciting partnership between NRPA and Bobcat. As part of this partnership, Bobcat has extended five grants, each worth $50,000, to support five park improvement projects across the country. Today, we’re excited to learn more about one of these projects taking place in San Antonio, Texas. We were thrilled to speak with Caryn Odenbach, brand and experience special...

Make an Impact by Leading with a Mentoring Mindset — Episode 150

January 23, 2024 11:00 - 1 hour - 62.8 MB

As you may know, January is National Mentoring Month, and all month long, NRPA has been sharing content around how mentoring through parks and recreation is helping youth develop positive connections with trusted and caring adults, which we know can support their long-term success. National Mentoring Month is an annual opportunity to spread awareness of the power of mentoring. It serves as a reminder of the critical role park and recreation professionals play in providing youth development...

Imposter Syndrome Is Real — Episode 149

January 09, 2024 11:00 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MB

Season two of Open Space Radio begins today! For the next year, we will focus on conversations around the 2024 NRPA annual theme, “Where You Belong,” and we’re so excited to kick off this season with a wonderful conversation.   On today’s episode, we’re joined by Gabby Vera, CPRP, the regional park superintendent for Maricopa County (Arizona) Parks and Recreation. Between her session at the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference and her Open Space blog post, titled, “You’ve Got This” — which explore...

Building Belonging: Neurodivergent Perspectives in Parks and Recreation (Part I) — Episode 148

December 05, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 67.9 MB

Back in October at the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference, there was a session that really piqued our interest – so much so, that we wanted to turn it into a two-part podcast episode, with today’s episode being part one (and part two coming in Spring 2024!). The session, “Neurodiversity and Inclusive Workplaces: Insights from Park and Recreation Professionals,” explored the individual strengths neurodiverse professionals bring to their work and the strategies and accommodations that have helped t...

We’re Stronger Together — Episode 147

November 21, 2023 11:00 - 43 minutes - 60.2 MB

It is our next to last episode of 2023, and we’re so thrilled to chat with our guest today, as she is someone who we’ve been hoping to get on the podcast for a while, someone who is a true leader in the profession, and someone who a lot of our listeners may know.   Dr. Tiffany Johnson — or Dr. J., as she’s known in many circles — is not only one of the most stylish park and recreation professionals out there, but she also is an expert and an innovator when it comes to change manageme...

Entering the Next Era of Open Space Radio — Episode 146

November 07, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 47.7 MB

I’m really excited for today’s episode because I am joined by my colleagues and new co-hosts, Christina High, NRPA’s marketing specialist, and Cara Myers, NRPA’s marketing and engagement manager. I’m really looking forward to this new era of Open Space Radio, and as many of you know, it’s been a while since I’ve had co-hosts. So, we thought it would be fun to sit down together for an episode and discuss what we’re looking forward to, what you can expect on the show in future episodes, and ...

Preparing the Next Generation of Diverse Leaders in Parks and Recreation — Episode 145

October 24, 2023 10:00 - 41 minutes - 28.8 MB

Earlier this month I joined nearly 9,000 other people who are passionate about parks and recreation in Dallas at the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference. It was a week full of inspiration, networking and fun — and for me, a chance to celebrate not only all the good work happening in local parks and recreation, but also see the culmination of my NRPA colleagues’ hard work in putting on what was a truly incredible event.  One of my biggest highlights of the week was connecting with Chris Bass, CPR...

How to Protect What We Love (People and the Planet) — Episode 144

October 10, 2023 10:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MB

How to Protect What We Love (People and the Planet) — Episode 144   It’s another exciting day here on Open Space Radio because I get to introduce you to our other new co-host on the show! If you follow NRPA on social media, you likely already know Christina High. Christina is NRPA’s marketing coordinator and is the brilliant person behind all the fun, inspiring and educational content you see throughout NRPA’s social media channels.   A big welcome to Christina as our other new...

Paving the Way for Girls and Women in Sports with DiDi Haračić — Episode 143

September 26, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MB

I am very excited for today’s episode for a couple of reasons. First, if you’ve been listening to the show for a while, you know I haven’t always been a solo host. Well, we have some exciting things happening and I’m very pleased to announce that one of my future co-hosts is making her debut on the podcast today.   Cara Myers is NRPA’s marketing and engagement manager, and she joined the NRPA team recently, coming to us from the marketing team at City of Aurora Parks and Recreation in Co...

A Listen Back at 2023 So Far — Episode 142

September 12, 2023 10:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MB

I was recently pulling some of the Open Space Radio statistics for a presentation to NRPA staff, and while I was presenting, I kept thinking to myself, “The numbers are great, it’s important to track these kinds of metrics. But also, we have had some truly remarkable guests and amazing conversations over the course of this show, and you can’t really put that through quantitative analysis.” So, it inspired me to do a little 2023 so far recap episode. Throughout this episode, I’m featuring l...

How Las Vegas Is Leading the Way in Technology and Recreation — Episode 141

August 29, 2023 10:00 - 52 minutes - 36.1 MB

On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we are diving into the dynamic world where recreation and technology intersect.  The Las Vegas Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs department has always been at the forefront of innovative ideas, and today's episode is all about one of their latest projects — the Becker Technology Center and Recreation Park. I’m excited to be joined by some incredible individuals who've been driving this innovative space forward. My guests today from Las Vegas ...

Advancing Resilient Park Access in Lynnwood, Washington — Episode 140

August 08, 2023 10:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MB

I recently had the opportunity to travel to Lynnwood, Washington, with a few of my colleagues to visit the Lynnwood Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, who was recently awarded one of NRPA’s Resilient Park Access grants. Our trip consisted of visiting local parks, meeting with members of the community who are collaborating with the department, meeting with the mayor, attending a community “Meet Me at the Park” event, and learning more about Lynnwood’s ParksLove project, which i...

Where Community Grows in Columbus, Ohio — Episode 139

July 11, 2023 10:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MB

It is officially Park and Recreation Month, and it already has been so exciting to see how park and recreation agencies and communities across the country have been celebrating. We’re not even halfway through the month and we have already seen so many amazing stories highlighting how parks and recreation truly is “Where Community Grows.” On today’s episode, I wanted to highlight one of the wonderful submissions from our annual Park and Recreation Month Cover Contest. One of the photos th...

Where Community Grows in Glenwood Springs, Colorado — July Bonus Episode

June 22, 2023 15:00 - 35 minutes - 24 MB

It may still be June, but it is officially Park and Recreation Month in our hearts, as the July issue of Parks & Recreation magazine was released today. As you may know, each year NRPA hosts a cover contest leading up to July, with the winner being featured on the July issue of the magazine. If you’ve seen this month’s cover (also pictured on this page), you will notice a smiling young boy in adaptive climbing gear scaling a climbing wall. We are so grateful that Joe Van Wyk, the marketing...

Celebrating Pride Month in Parks and Recreation — Episode 138

June 13, 2023 10:00 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MB

It is officially Pride Month – a time to honor and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. And while we are thrilled to celebrate Pride Month this year, the reality is that our LGBTQ+ friends, family, colleagues and community members have been under attack. In fact, just last week, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group, declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. after a wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation across the country. So far in 2023, more than 525...

How the NRPA Young Professional Network Is Amplifying the Voices of the Next Generation — Episode 137

May 30, 2023 10:00 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MB

  If you are an NRPA member, you may know that NRPA provides exclusive member networks to support your professional needs and development. These networks, ranging from Aquatics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Armed Forces, Leadership Development, and more, are an opportunity to collaborate and connect with like-minded professionals from across the county.   One of these networks, which is highly engaged and doing a lot of amazing work in the profession, is the Young Professional Netw...

Prioritizing the Health and Well-Being of Our Military Communities — June Bonus Episode

May 25, 2023 14:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MB

The June issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, “Leading the Way to Health and Well-Being: How Armed Forces Recreation Fosters Healthy Military Communities.” The article, written by Allison Colman, NRPA’s director of health, and Alex Reynolds, Parks & Recreation magazine’s associate editor, highlights how park and recreation professionals working within military communities ...

Celebrating How Parks and Recreation Keeps Communities Healthy and Connected — Episode 136

May 16, 2023 10:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MB

We are just a few weeks away from NRPA’s Family Health & Fitness Day, which is taking place on Saturday, June 10. Family Health & Fitness Day is an annual celebration that promotes the importance of parks and recreation in keeping communities healthy. I’m thrilled to be talking more about Family Health & Fitness Day on today’s episode, as well as all the ways parks and recreation provides accessible, close-to-home health and wellness opportunities in communities across the country. J...

A Doomscroll Break: Parks and Recreation on Social Media — Episode 135

May 02, 2023 10:00 - 31 minutes - 21.3 MB

If you’ve been following NRPA on social media, you may already be familiar with my guest today via some very fun, informational, and engaging Instagram reels that have been gracing your feeds for the last few months.   Today I am so excited to be joined by my colleague and the amazing person behind all of NRPA’s social media content, Christina High. Christina joined the team as our marketing coordinator in 2022, and she has been doing some really amazing work ever since when it comes to ...

How to Build a Culture of Safety — May Bonus Episode

April 27, 2023 14:09 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MB

The May issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving deeper into the feature article, “Building a Culture of Safety for Aquatic Facilities,” by Stephanie Shook, CPRP, the senior product manager of aquatics and instructors for the American Red Cross.   I’m so thrilled to be joined on the show by two individuals who were highlighted in the article: ·         Dr. William Ramos, a member of the Red Cross Scientific Adviso...

Celebrating Earth Month with Merrell and Marion, Iowa — Episode 134

April 18, 2023 10:00 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MB

All month long, NRPA has been sharing ways that parks and recreation is a climate hero in celebration of Earth Month. Whether it’s increasing biodiversity, managing millions of acres of open space, providing nature-based programming or responding to weather-related disasters, park and recreation professionals are on the front lines of creating a more sustainable future in communities across the country.   I’m so thrilled today to be joined by Regina Hill, the CSR marketing manager for Me...

Reflecting on Earth Month: A Look Back at Sustainability and Climate-Focused Episodes — Episode 133

April 04, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MB

April is Earth Month, and all month long, NRPA is celebrating the ways that parks and recreation is a climate hero. I encourage you to check out some of the top ways that park and recreation professionals are creating healthier, more sustainable communities and tackling the world’s toughest climate issues. On today’s episode, we take a look back at a few episodes from the past year, in which my guests talked about climate solutions, sustainability, and all things protecting and preserving...

On a Cross-Country Mission to Advocate for Trans Rights — Episode 132

March 21, 2023 10:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MB

Attacks targeting LGBTQ+ rights, and especially the rights of transgender youth, are currently taking place in state legislatures across the country. With bans on gender-affirming care for trans youth and the country’s first drag ban, numbers of anti-trans bills were recently introduced, with an alarming number of bills advancing in states across the country.   Many of these bills also are aimed at preventing transgender youth from participating in sports in ways that align with the gend...

Continuing a Legacy of Service to Create a Better World — Episode 131

March 07, 2023 11:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MB

Los Angeles County is doing some big things and the department of parks and recreation is continuing to make an impact when it comes to equity, environmental resilience and the health and well-being of its community members.   I’m thrilled to be joined today by Norma Edith García-Gonzalez, who has worked for Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation for more than a decade and was appointed as director of the department in 2020 — becoming the first woman and first person of color to lea...

How Lifeguarding Provided a Foundation for a First Responder — March Bonus Episode

February 23, 2023 15:00 - 35 minutes - 32.1 MB

The March issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s articles, “From Lifeguard to First Responder.”   I’m joined today by the author, Craig Pattenaude, the marketing and communication specialist for Cosumnes Community Services District (CSD) Parks and Recreation, as well as Cole Munsey, who Craig highlights in his article.   I’m thrilled to welcome them both to the show to learn about...

Advancing Physical Activity and Health Equity Through Active Parks! — Episode 130

February 21, 2023 11:00 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MB

Parks and recreation is vital to community health and well-being. Local park and recreation agencies connect every member of the community to essential programs, services and spaces that enhance quality of life. And, local parks and recreation provides so many opportunities for experiencing the benefits of physical activity. According to the guidance from the Community Services Preventive Task Force, park and recreation and public health professionals play a role in ensuring all community...

On a Journey to Spread Good Vibes and the Healing Power of Nature — Episode 129

February 14, 2023 11:00 - 28 minutes - 19.2 MB

I am so excited for today’s episode because I’m talking with someone I have been eager to connect with since NRPA’s partnership with Merrell began. If you visit today’s guest’s website, the words “Nothing But Good Vibes” might be the first thing you notice. And, if you’re following him on social media, you are sure to pick up on some of those good vibes, as well.   Will “Akuna” Robinson is one of Merrell’s ambassadors, and his outdoor recreation journey began in 2016 when he attempted to...

CAPRA Volunteers: Together We Grow Parks and Recreation — Episode 128

February 07, 2023 11:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MB

NRPA's Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), is the only national accreditation of park and recreation agencies and is a valuable measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management and service to the community. Achieving CAPRA accreditation is the best way to demonstrate that your agency and your staff provide your community with the highest level of service. But, there is one thing that this program cannot do without – it’s dedicated volunteers...

Parks and Recreation Workforce Development Trends and Opportunities — February Bonus Episode

January 26, 2023 16:00 - 38 minutes - 26.1 MB

The February issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’ll be diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, “Workforce Development Trends and Opportunities in Parks and Recreation.” To foster the next generation of park and recreation professionals in our beloved field, workforce development is an area that cannot be overlooked. We’re talking with the author of the article today to discuss some of the trends and opportunities ...

Honoring National Day of Racial Healing — Episode 127

January 17, 2023 13:13 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MB

Today, January 17, is National Day of Racial Healing - a call to action for racial healing for all people. Launched in 2017, this day originated as part of the WK Kellogg Foundation’s national Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation efforts. As we at NRPA continue to center equity in all that we do, I’m looking forward to this conversation today as we learn how racial healing can advance racial equity, as well as how park and recreation professionals can support racial healing in their comm...

An Inside Look at Revenue Development and Management School — Episode 126

January 10, 2023 11:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MB

Here at NRPA, we are big proponents of continuous learning and professional development. On today’s episode, we discuss a comprehensive and unique professional development program focusing on proven revenue management and development techniques for park and recreation professionals. Revenue Development and Management School is an annual program taking place at the Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia, in partnership with the National Training Center at Oglebay, and it is targeted towa...

RWJF-NRPA Award for Health Equity Celebrates Seven Years of Success — January Bonus Episode

December 22, 2022 17:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MB

The January issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Maureen Neumann, NRPA’s Senior Health Program Manager, to discuss her feature article, “Celebrating Seven Years of Advancing Health Equity.” In her article, Maureen highlights winners of the RWJF-NRPA Award for Health Equity from the last seven years. Since 2016, this award has been presented annually, and recognizes park and recreation professionals who have worked to reduce ...

Enhancing Resilient Park Access in Toledo, Ohio — Episode 125

December 13, 2022 11:00 - 36 minutes - 24.7 MB

As you may have learned on our last episode, NRPA’s Resilient Park Access program supports the advancement of community-driven, systems-level strategies for equitable park access that improve the environmental resilience and health of communities. The grant funding also provides ongoing peer learning and coaching, professional development and access to networks of like-minded park and recreation professionals throughout the country. Six park and recreation agencies from across the country ...

Increasing Access to Nature in The Motor City — Episode 124

November 29, 2022 11:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MB

NRPA’s Resilient Park Access grant program supports the advancement of community-driven, systems-level strategies for equitable park access that improve the environmental resilience and health of communities. The grant funding also provides ongoing peer learning and coaching, professional development and access to networks of like-minded park and recreation professionals throughout the country. On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, I’m joined by staff from City of Detroit Parks and Recre...

The State of Inclusivity in the Outdoors — Episode 123

November 22, 2022 11:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MB

When most people think of the outdoors, their associations are primarily positive. Happiness, relaxation and calmness all come to mind. Even as issues of social injustice and racial inequality increasingly impacted many over the past few years, communities have sought a form of escape in the outdoors. Outdoor leader Merrell exists to share the simple power of being outside. Knowing the globally recognized benefits of being outside, Merrell conducted a study of cross-cultural perceptions an...

Creating a More Sustainable, Eco-Friendly World – Episode 122

November 15, 2022 11:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MB

It has been some time since our last episode, and I’m so thrilled to be back today with someone who is sure to inspire you to live a m­­­ore sustainable, waste-free life, while encouraging your community to do the same – and it’s perfect timing as this episode is being released on America Recycles Day, which recognizes the importance and impact of recycling. Manuela Barón is a Colombian-American sustainability activist, artist and founder of The Girl Gone Green, which is an inclusive commu...

Introducing NRPA’s Equity in Practice Program – October Bonus Episode

September 29, 2022 16:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MB

The October issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s episode, I’m joined by two of my colleagues to discuss this month’s feature story, “NRPA’s Equity in Practice Initiative.” We recently launched this program at the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference, and it is not your typical diversity training – NRPA’s Equity in Practice resources and tools are designed to help you take the next step in integrating equity into your park and recreation programs and respond to your commun...

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Parks and Rec — Episode 121

September 20, 2022 10:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MB

National Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from September 15 through October 15 each year, is a time to celebrate the history, culture, heritage and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This year’s theme is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation,” and on today’s episode, we’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a park and recreation professional who is playing an integral role when it comes to honoring Hispanic Heritage Month within parks and recreation. I am ...

On the Pulse of Innovation, Inclusion and Next Practices — Episode 120

September 14, 2022 13:10 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MB

I am so excited for today’s episode for a few reasons: 1.) We’re officially a week away from the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference. And 2.) I’m joined today by someone who has been a big part of NRPA and this podcast, and is not only one of my favorite guests, he’s also someone I’m proud to call a friend. Neelay Bhatt is an expert when it comes to innovation, inclusion, and helping park and recreation agencies stay on top of trends in the field. Neelay recently launched his new endeavor, Next Pr...

Creating a Safe Space for Youth and Teens — Episode 119

September 06, 2022 12:33 - 37 minutes - 25.9 MB

It’s hard to believe September is already here and in just a couple weeks, park and recreation professionals from across the country will gather in Phoenix, Arizona, at the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference. If you’ve been fortunate enough to experience this conference in the past, you know that this is the premier event for park and recreation professionals seeking to grow their network, check out some of the latest and greatest products and services, and take advantage of top-tier learning oppor...

Providing Opportunities for Those Who Think Differently — September Bonus Episode

August 18, 2022 14:00 - 42 minutes - 28.9 MB

The September issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, “Dr. Temple Grandin on the Importance of Outdoor Play.” On this episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by Dr. Temple Grandin, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University, world-renowned scientist, animal behaviorist, advocate for autism and author. She has appeared on television shows such as 20/20, 48 Hour...

On a Mission to Make Aquatics More Equitable — Episode 118

August 16, 2022 10:00 - 44 minutes - 30.2 MB

We are just about a month away from the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, and on today’s episode of Open Space Radio, I’m thrilled to be joined by one of this year’s recipients of the NRPA Young Professional Fellowship. The Young Professional Fellowship provides an opportunity to explore the operation of NRPA and its governing bodies at the NRPA Annual Conference. Participants meet with mentors, are recognized at the Best of the Best ceremony and more. A primary focus of the...

How Parks and Recreation Can Support People Experiencing Homelessness – August Bonus Episode

July 21, 2022 14:00 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MB

The August issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, titled, “Homelessness: How Can I Help?” The article explores how homelessness continues to be a serious social and public health issue in the U.S., and how park and recreation agencies are increasingly helping to support their community members who are experiencing homelessness and housing instability. I’m thrilled to ...

Celebrating Latino Conservation Week — Episode 117

July 19, 2022 10:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MB

As you likely know, we are currently celebrating Park and Recreation Month here at NRPA and at park and recreation departments across the country throughout the month of July. And there’s also a special week that takes place in July that we are big fans of — Latino Conservation Week, which is taking place now through July 24. Launched in 2014, Latino Conservation Week is an initiative of Hispanic Access Foundation and was created to support the Latino community getting outdoors and partici...

How to Rise Up for Parks and Recreation This July — Episode 116

July 05, 2022 13:52 - 7 minutes - 5.47 MB

It is officially our favorite month of the year here on Open Space Radio, and I’m so excited to celebrate Park and Recreation Month throughout July. Today’s episode is a short one, and you’re stuck with just me for a few minutes, but I wanted to take the opportunity to share some of the ways you can join in the Park and Recreation Month celebrations with us at NRPA. Since 1985, people in the United States have celebrated Park and Recreation Month in July to promote building strong, vibrant...

Paving the Way for Gender Equity in Youth Sports – Episode 115

June 21, 2022 10:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MB

Research shows that when children play sports, they increase their chances to grow up healthy, build friendships, and develop skills like teamwork and respect. And while 94 percent of park and recreation agencies offer youth sports, there are significant disparities in who has access to and benefits from sports participation. This June as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX — the landmark piece of federal legislation prohibiting sex-based discrimination in educatio...

How Phoenix Is Honoring the Life of Lori Piestewa — July Bonus Episode

June 16, 2022 14:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MB

As we officially begin our Park and Recreation Month celebrations with the July issue of Parks & Recreation magazine, I’m thrilled to be joined on today’s bonus episode by a few of the people involved with the event highlighted in this month’s cover story. Our cover this month, which is the winner of our annual Park and Recreation Month cover contest, is a photo that was taken during the tribal dedication of the Ocotillo Ramada at Phoenix's Piestewa Peak. Formerly known as Squaw Peak, the ...

How Mentoring Supports Youth Impacted by the Opioid Epidemic – Episode 114

June 07, 2022 13:39 - 47 minutes - 32.7 MB

This podcast episode is supported by Grant # 2020-JY-FX-0002 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, a component of the Office of Justice Programs at U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this podcast are those of our guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice. While we have talked a lot about the COVID-19 pandemic on the show, and how that has been impacting communities,...

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