Fostering social connection and belonging
NRPA strives for a future where all people have access to the benefits of quality parks and recreation. Difference meets on the playground. These differences can lead to varied lived experiences.
Park and recreation professionals are uniquely positioned to help address these challenges by promoting fairness and access in their programs, policies and practices. NRPA supports park and recreation professionals by providing opportunities to learn from and with each other and to implement practices that help ensure fair outcomes for all.
Resources for Park and Recreation Professionals
Below are resources available to NRPA members to support park and recreation professionals in their work to create fair park and recreation systems.
Explore NRPA’s Quick Guides, designed to help park and recreation professionals improve policies and practices. From swimwear attire to event naming, these resources offer practical steps for meaningful change. Click below to log in to NRPA Connect, learn more and access the full guides.
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NRPA works to ensure that everyone has fair access to quality parks and recreation. The Parks for All Resource Library is a set of vetted and carefully curated resources available to our members. This library includes various types of resources that support individual learning across park and recreation functions. Find resources using the categories: Guide and Tool; Article; Research and Data; Book or Chapter; and Podcast/Video. Click below to log in to NRPA Connect and browse the library.
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This story map explores United States history, the evolution of parks and recreation and urban planning, and how it brought us to the differences in access to parks and recreation today. Click below to log in to NRPA Connect and explore.
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NRPA’s Language Guide is a glossary of terms to help park and recreation professionals develop a common language around difference, access and parks for all. It also provides guidance to help people become familiar with terms they may not be aware of and best practices for making your writing accessible. This is a living document and will change frequently. Click below to log in to NRPA Connect and explore.
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NRPA's Parks for All Action Plan provides a framework for how we are strengthening our organizational culture and practices centered around our core values.
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Through partnerships and resources, NRPA works to ensure that all people have access to the benefits of local parks and recreation.
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Parks Build Community is a national initiative demonstrating the transformative value of parks on the health and vitality of communities across America. Each year, NRPA conducts a complete park makeover in partnership with park equipment manufacturers and community organizations within the city hosting the NRPA Annual Conference.
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Through financial support of innovative solutions, park and recreation professionals have created new systems to improve distribution of financial resources in their communities to support all communities.
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Learn more about NRPA's other initiatives aimed at improving access to parks and recreation for all people.
Additional Resources
Every day, in communities across the country, the people of parks and recreation are making their communities better places to live, work and play. We are building a nationwide movement of support for their critical work and want you to join us.
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A system-wide park master plan is a tool that can help us understand the history and current barriers to park access and set a vision and plan to remove these barriers and ensure parks and open space are providing the most benefit to communities.
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NRPA, in partnership with the Willamette Partnership, developed a suite of resources for park and recreation professionals and partners to address the climate-related health impacts and advocate for solutions.
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Local park and recreation agencies work diligently to ensure all people have access to and feel welcome in the places, programs and facilities that make their lives and communities great. Thoughtful and intentional community engagement is central to this vision and is fundamental to establishing quality parks that meet the needs of all people.
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Local park and recreation agencies provide ample opportunities for youth to build positive social connections. Through Mentoring in Parks and Rec, NRPA supports agencies in their efforts to build effective and evidence-based mentorship programs that connect youth with caring and compassionate mentors while strengthening connections across community.
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The Parks for All Network is a community on NRPA Connect for park and recreation professionals to share and collaborate on addressing barriers and improving access at their park and recreation agencies. The network hosts discussions via Zoom every other month.
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Language Guide
Parks for Everyone
Creating Accessible Master Plans
Community Engagement Resource Guide
Mentoring in Parks and Rec