Unable to find the right person for the role, the position of Schenectady, N.Y., parks and recreation director was left vacant for many years – about 20 years. Once Willie Deane moved back to the city and was available to … Continue reading →
Some might dread the thought of fundraising, but for these parks and recreation administrators, holding fundraisers provides programs and resources to their communities that might not be available otherwise. Additionally, fundraisers build community — bringing everyone together for a common … Continue reading →
Some residents visit parks in Rapid City, S.D., to do more than admire the beauty of flower gardens or get in a hike or evening stroll. They go to take care of the park. Volunteers in the city’s Adopt-A-Park program … Continue reading →
Last summer, Modesto, Calif., ran an 18-month pilot program training and posting four park rangers to its city parks. The hope was that the program would bring families back to the parks. To qualify, a candidate had to be 18 … Continue reading →
Landscapes are all around our cities, whether they’re outside a home, storefront, manufacturing facility or in municipal parks. The trend toward sustainable parks has been growing over the last 20 years and continues to grow as environmental concerns move to … Continue reading →
This year has not gone as planned, with countless events nationwide cancelling in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Among these are annual concerts, 5Ks, marathons and a seemingly endless list of other annual happenings. With this in mind, parks … Continue reading →
The tried-and-true methods of fundraising — bake sales, car washes, magazine subscriptions, lemonade stands and candy — all have their place. But moving into the big leagues, such as coming up with successful fundraising ideas for city parks is a … Continue reading →
As open space continues to be developed and metropolitan areas creep ever outward from big cities, there is a lot of talk about “smart growth.” Land management is a key component of this “smart growth” process; planning where development should … Continue reading →
Things that go bump in the night fascinate and frighten a wide demographic, resulting in several parks and recreation departments crafting events that revolve around the paranormal. Some don’t even have to try, thanks to local folklore and historic landmarks. … Continue reading →
Taking steps toward physical fitness can happen anywhere, and cities across the nation are capitalizing on that notion. Gone are the days of having to get an expensive gym membership or learn to use confusing equipment — residents are able … Continue reading →
Fall is well underway and winter’s on the doorstep, so maybe now really is the best time for parks and recreation departments to reflect on what worked and what didn’t this year, and to plot out how to bring those … Continue reading →
