By Barb Sieminski | The Municipal Lighthouses have long been a popular subject for artists, clothing designers, poets and others. Few people give thought, however, to what it takes to run them and what their unique challenges are — especially … Continue reading →
Placemaking continues to grow nationwide, in municipalities like Oviedo, Fla.; Raleigh, N.C.; and Savannah, Ga. — and even on an international scale, from South Korea to Canada and the United Arab Emirates. While not a new concept, placemaking encourages municipal … Continue reading →
Seven years ago the state of Michigan embraced placemaking — not as a buzzword, but to develop a dialogue. “Our board (Michigan Municipal League) challenged us to be more proactive with what was going on economically,” said Arnold Weinfield, director … Continue reading →
In an area where rainfall may total over 40 inches per year, flooding can become a major problem. Streets in Manayuck, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pa., flood yearly and residents have learned to prepare for such events. The Philadelphia Water … Continue reading →
By JENNIFER CISNEROS Marketing and multimedia manager, Bio-Microbics Writer and historian Wallace Stegner once said that national parks are “The best idea we ever had … They reflect us at our best rather than our worst.” Ever since the world’s … Continue reading →
Seventy years of flood control, hydroelectric power generation, providing clean water for local communities and maintaining a recreational/wildlife area that draws nature lovers from multiple states qualifies Tennessee’s Dale Hollow Dam as the timeless ideal of America’s dam building legacy. … Continue reading →
This past March, the National Recreation and Park Association, in coordination with the office of Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), raised the rallying call to protect federal funding that supports many local public parks and recreation agencies nationwide. As the surface … Continue reading →
In 2009, Elkhart, Ind., the recreational vehicle capital of the world, became the poster child for a recession that still lingers in several sectors of the national economy. The downturn hit the city early and hard. Almost simultaneously, a state … Continue reading →
Summertime means hiring seasonal, part-time help while the weather’s nice in the Midwest. Most municipalities budget for that extra help. Michael Hardy, parks and recreation director for the city of Baraboo, Wis., hires 60 to 75 people during the summer … Continue reading →
With the last school bell of summer come the hordes of diversion seekers and the oppressive heat and humidity that sooner or later — sometimes both —drives them to water. Streams, pools, splash pads, even fire hydrants and lakes explode … Continue reading →
It’s innately counterintuitive to leave musical instruments outside in all types of weather and then let everyone and their brother come and play with them. Still, the idea of unfettered, recreational access to instruments has crossed over from Europe and … Continue reading →
