National Recreation and Park Association

Every afternoon in communities across the country, park and recreation centers fill with the energy of young people. Some come to play sports, others come to explore creative activities and some simply come to find a safe space to belong. What many people don’t realize is that these spaces are also powerful incubators for mentorship — spaces where trusted adults and volunteers help shape the confidence, resilience and futures of young people. Explore successes in the field from North Dakota to Texas: https://bit.ly/4gfamGi #MentoringMonth #PowerOfParks #ParksAndRec

Join us in celebrating National Girls & Women in Sports Day® on Wednesday, February 5 so that together we can encourage all girls and women to reach their full potential in sport and life. #NGWSD2025 is a day to celebrate the achievements of girls and women in sports, while also acknowledging that we’re not done yet and we must continue to advocate for gender equity in sport. For how to get involved or to post your event, visit Women's Sports Foundation https://lnkd.in/eX97i4A6

Vitisia Paynich, Executive Editor of Parks & Recreation Magazine, considers the legacy of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who advanced philanthropic and environmental initiatives in his lifetime. "His legacy of leadership and public service will be his ability to see what's beyond the trees and challenge the status quo to envision a better tomorrow for all people," Paynich shared. Read the full letter from the editor and flip through the February issue of Parks & Recreation Magazine: https://bit.ly/42DRHkB #PowerOfParks #ParksAndRecMagazine #Environment #Sustainability #ClimateChange

As community-based providers of health, recreation and social-emotional development services to youth, local park and recreation professionals also function as mentors and role models. In Huntsville, Alabama, Mesa, Arizona, and Monroe County, Michigan agencies are making some pretty big impacts in their communities through mentoring programs. From learning new skills to making meaningful connections, both mentors and mentees are experiencing the benefits of these programs. Tune into the latest episode of Open Space Radio to get the full story and learn how you can start leading with a mentoring mindset: https://bit.ly/3Wr5Xcv #OpenSpaceRadio #MentoringMonth #PowerOfParks #BuildTogetherPlayTogether

Since 1989, the state of Maine has had the goal of reaching a recycling rate of 50 percent for all generated municipal solid waste. It is among the few states in the country that have enacted state-wide recycling legislation to encourage recycling efforts. Local government employees — park and recreation professionals included — have been progressing towards this goal. Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4h4YTKF #PowerOfParks #SustainableParks #Recycle #ClimateChange #ParksAndRec

🥁Drum roll, please... The February issue is here! Which means so is NRPA 30 Under 30 🎉 Flip through the ezine to explore this year's top 30 young professionals in parks and recreation. Congratulations to this year’s class of 30 Under 30 inductees! Also featured is an in-depth look at student recruitment and how park and recreation professionals can become subject matter experts by learning on the job. Read the February issue now: https://bit.ly/4gM43eg #ParksAndRecMagazine #PowerOfParks #NRPA30Under30 #ParksAndRec

On the latest episode of Open Space Radio, we're exploring the power of mentoring with mentors and youth mentees from programs in Mesa, Arizona; Huntsville, Alabama; and Monroe County, Michigan. Tune in to the episode to learn how each program is meeting the unique needs of youth, providing safe spaces filled with opportunities, and helping youth build meaningful connections with their peers and adults: https://bit.ly/3Wr5Xcv #MentoringMonth #OpenSpaceRadio #PowerOfParks

We have some pretty great tools to connect you with grant and fundraising resources to help you achieve your community goals. Explore... 🌳Grant and fundraising opportunities that are available for park and recreation agencies, affiliated friends group, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. 🌳Current NRPA sponsored grant opportunities. 🌳Other resources and opportunities through outside agencies. 🌳Fundraising and Marketing Resources to support your funding journey! Visit the page now: https://bit.ly/4jnwm4B #PowerOfParks #ParksAndRec #NRPAGrants #EquitableParks #ParkAccess #SupportParks

What's your park and recreation story? Whether you're a park and recreation professional or not, nearly everyone has had a formative moment or two (or more!) at a local park or while participating in a recreation opportunity. Peter Murphy, President and CEO of Illinois Association of Park Districts, shared his story with us and insights on the future of the field. You can watch the full video here and others: https://bit.ly/3WdLUOF Park and recreation professionals wear many hats, they're community builders, advocates, mentors- to name a few. We've found the stories they have to tell incredibly powerful. That’s why we started the video-storytelling project, Park and Recreation Stories. Through uplifting voices in the field we aim to highlight the power of parks, as well as significant events experienced by our members, partners and advocates. Follow along throughout 2025, as we continue to share stories in celebration of our 60th anniversary. #ParkAndRecStories #NRPA60 #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #ParkAndRecMonth

Leading or participating in your agency’s emergency initiatives? Partner in a larger area-wide plan? Just beginning to evaluate your role in these efforts? Don't see your agency as a vital component in this work? We want to hear from all of you! Help us build resources to better support park and recreation professionals at all stages. Take the short survey by January 31st: https://bit.ly/4gbAmSQ Thank you for sharing! Stay tuned for a report of these findings this spring. #PowerOfParks