North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department’s Post

Thanks to the efforts of park and recreation professionals through the United States, local park and recreation agencies generated more than $201 billion in economic activity and supported more than 1.1 million jobs in 2021. Beyond the nationwide impact, this report shows the economic contribution of parks and recreation at the state level too. The estimates of total economic impacts include the direct, indirect and induced effects of operations and capital spending by local park and recreation agencies in each state and the District of Columbia. Access the report: https://lnkd.in/gPjpsFpi #PowerOfParks #WhereYouBelong #NRPAResearch National Recreation and Park Association Florida Recreation and Park Association Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society

The City of Brownwood will now have two phases of improvements to Riverside Park leveraging both American Rescue Plan allocation, and TPWD. Phase I Improvements: $3,113,912 Primary Funding Source: Federal American Rescue Plan Allocation Phase I improvements prioritize infrastructure and include the demolition of existing roadways, reconstruction of new asphalt roadways, 180+ designated parking spaces, new road ribbon curbing, fencing, electrical, lighting improvements, landscaping, a new modern pavilion, expanded patio of pavilion with string lighting, food truck hookups, entrance signage, and sidewalk improvements. Phase II Improvements: $1,500,000 Primary Funding Source: Grant Funding through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Phase II improvements proposed to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department prioritize recreation and amenities. The grant includes proposed improvements of native landscaping, additional site amenities, a playground with inclusive elements, paved trail improvements, river view picnic facilities, signage, a rain collection system for the pavilion, restroom improvements, sand volleyball court improvements, public art, and additional lighting. Additional project scope elements focused on recreation amenities will be added. 

🏆🌳 JUST IN: City of Plano Plano Parks and Recreation park system has retained the ranking of #1 in Texas and #16 in the nation based on the Trust for Public Land annual ParkScore! 🎉 The #TPLParkScore is based off how Plano compares on five characteristics of an excellent park system: access, investment, acreage, amenities, and equity. The report found that 82% of residents are within a 10-minute walk to a local park. Read the full report at tpl.org/city/plano-texas.

So how will we manage people who want to enjoy recreating on Pikes Peak? And protect the resource? We've seen the trash, the misuse, and user conflicts. Campgrounds and trails have been closed because of lack of resources to manage them. CPW already manages the layer of all wildlife across the mountain. What if they manage the layer of outdoor recreation? One management organization to balance wildlife and people... Be a part of the converstation. https://lnkd.in/gDwYBCnY

Project Portland Potpourri Portland Oregon has 154 developed parks, with 12,591 acres of public parkland and open space, including 6 public gardens, 25 community gardens, 35 community parks, 5 golf courses, 47 habitat parks, 98 neighborhood parks, 12 regional parks, 12 urban parks, and thousands of acres of urban forest (according to portland.gov). Wikipedia states “There are at least 279 parks and natural areas in Portland”. Portland has “The smallest park in the World”, do you know which one, have you seen it recently? Portland also has one of the largest urban forest reserves with 80 miles of hiking trails, how many miles did you walk? Spring invites everyone outside for fresh air, first blooms, awakening of the nature… Which park, or garden, or green space is your favourite? Please submit a paragraph or two, perhaps with a photo or video to ProjectPortlandPotpourri@ostiweb.org  They will be posted on OSTI website and Facebook page.

For a few more years, the Great American Outdoors Act will address critical repair projects and improve visitor experiences in our national parks. However, the current funding won’t be able to repair every broken bathroom, crumbling trail or outdated visitor center. The backlog of repair needs at our national parks has reached more than $22 billion, and routine maintenance and repairs currently outpace annual investments by Congress. Parks are more popular than ever before, but infrastructure needs continue to impact visitor access and safety and park resources. NPCA and our members and supporters are urging Congress to extend the Legacy Restoration Fun at current levels for an additional five years. This will ensure our parks can continue to welcome visitors and protect the natural and cultural resources that tell our nation’s history. We're here to keeping making more park success stories. #GAOA #GreatAmericanOutdoorsAct #NationalParks #ParkFunding #FundOurParks #ProtectOurParks

Build up your community growth with Texas Parks and Wildlife's Non-Urban Outdoor Local Parks Grant! 🌳 This program supports local government entities in Texas, fostering outdoor spaces for communities with <500,000 population. Key Take Aways and Uses: - Park development - Environmental improvements - Accessibility enhancements - Community engagement Exciting News: Next week, dive into Indoor Local Grants! Explore the transformative power of indoor recreation for your community. Questions about the Non-Urban Outdoor Local Parks Grant? Contact Capstone Grant Consulting for expert guidance. 🚀 #TexasParksAndWildlife #CommunityDevelopment #GrantOpportunity #CapstoneGrantConsulting

BC Parks, in collaboration with Líl̓wat Nation and N’Quatqua First Nations, has issued a joint statement outlining the 2024 plans for Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. These plans prioritize maintaining public access while safeguarding the park's natural and cultural heritage. The updated strategy introduces three designated closure periods to accommodate Indigenous celebrations and traditional activities. Scheduled Closure Dates for Joffre Lake Provincial Park: April 30 to May 15: Reserved for Indigenous cultural festivities. June 14 to June 23: Allocated for summer solstice and Indigenous Peoples’ Day observances. September 3 until October 6: Set aside for Indigenous fall harvesting practices and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Given the increasing population in the Lower Mainland, the growing interest in outdoor recreation and access restrictions in existing parks, the Province of British Columbia must prioritize creating additional outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors, including hiking and camping. https://lnkd.in/gessSSHp

As a former Parks and Recreation professional I can say the episodes I did watch did have some similarities. There are many days I miss the profession, being surrounded by so many peers who are very passionate about their careers. Parks and Recreation professionals provide programs and services for people when they are not working. Thus, typically involves many nights and weekends. Parks and Recreation professionals also where many hats. Marketing, Budgeting, Leadership, and Creative Programming. If you were in facilities you also developed a skill set in understanding Safety, OSHA, Project Management, Janitorial, HVAC, Electrical and unfortunately Plumbing. Hats off to my past professional peers, colleagues, friends. #mnrpa #parksandrecreation #diversity #arenamanagement

I'm looking forward to speaking about Parks, Trails, and Open Space Planning at the Arizona Planning Association and Arizona Association for Environmental Education conferences in September! Do you have a favorite park, trail, or open space project in AZ? Share below or send me a message! 🚵♂️ 🚣♂️ 🚴♀️ 💚 🌵 "Parks, trails, and open spaces are essential to enhancing community well-being and quality of life. This session will emphasize the importance of public access to mountains and rivers for outdoor recreation and wellness. Past and ongoing planning efforts for parks, trails, and open spaces in Arizona will be shared, as well as local case studies. Tools and resources to support planners in parks, recreation, and conservation planning will be identified."