Open Space Radio: Parks and Recreation Trends
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.
Prioritizing the Health and Well-Being of Our Military Communities — June Bonus Episode
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 share the same goal as their peers …
Celebrating How Parks and Recreation Keeps Communities Healthy and Connected
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. Joining …
A Doomscroll Break: Parks and Recreation on Social Media — Episode 135
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 …
How to Build a Culture of Safety
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 …
Celebrating Earth Month with Merrell and Marion, Iowa — Episode 134
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 Merrell, who NRPA is proud …
Reflecting on Earth Month: A Look Back at Sustainability and Climate-Focused Episodes
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 …
On a Cross-Country Mission to Advocate for Trans Rights
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 gender with which they identify. …
Continuing a Legacy of Service to Create a Better World
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 …
How Lifeguarding Provided a Foundation for a First Responder
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 Cole’s …
Advancing Physical Activity and Health Equity Through Active Parks!
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 members have equitable opportunities to get active. …