No matter how big or how small your city is, it likely has a couple of boards or commissions with resident volunteers in charge of making decisions or recommendations. Some municipalities have no problem filling vacancies when they occur, but … Continue reading →
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has announced that it is continuing the Urban Heat Island mapping campaign. The agency is mapping urban heat islands in 14 U.S. cities this summer. The initiative, which began in 2017, has seen NOAA … Continue reading →
Cary, North Carolina, spent more than 20 years envisioning Downtown Cary Park, from its inception through designs to problem solving. Along the way, challenges included the pandemic, quarantine and resulting supply shortages, financing and then construction. The park is expected … Continue reading →
A small city in the spotlight is working on a plan to maintain tourism draws after the camera crews dissipate. In 2016, husband and wife team Ben and Erin Napier premiered the HGTV restoration and revitalization show “Home Town.” It … Continue reading →
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 →
“Park” is a pretty broad term, and it’s more specialized than it used to be. From parks catering to four-legged friends to playgrounds specifically designed for small children, parks departments are diversifying their offerings. There’s a lot of interest in … 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 →
People have migrated through El Paso, Texas, the Paso del Norte, for decades to enter the United States from Mexico. Recent surges in migration spurred the city to develop a plan for managing the huge influx of people. The experience … Continue reading →
Shawn O’Leary, Norman, Okla., director of public works, joined the team in 2007 and his primary goal was improvement of his department. “I was looking for a tool to help me fix that,” he explained. He had been watching the … Continue reading →
Virginia, they say, is for lovers. Apparently, the state is also for sadists judging from the litany of awkward and sometimes unsavory town names it has bestowed upon its citizens. Welcome to the state where you can visit Chilhowie, Fries, … Continue reading →
