PARKS AND RECREATION
CEO Kristine Stratton asserts in the July issue of Parks & Recreation magazine , “ Through our commitment to excellence , learning and growing , we ensure this field continues to deliver the community benefits that we are all so proud of — benefits like health and wellness , climate resilience and social connection .”
NRPA research has found that 93 percent of U . S . adults say their mental health is improved by services offered by local park and recreation professionals and agencies . However , experts estimate that as many as 100 million people — 30 percent of the U . S . population — lack access to the lifesaving and life-enhancing benefits parks and recreation provides .
Through efforts by NRPA , the U . S . House of Representatives passed an official resolution for Park and Recreation Month in 2009 and introduced the resolution in 2017 and 2018 .
Photo courtesy of NRPA
in the United States — visited a local park or recreation facility at least once during the 12-month period ending in May 2022 .”
Long before the pandemic , NRPA supported these professionals by reminding elected officials , community stakeholders and the public at large that the field of parks and recreation is essential . That ’ s why each July , NRPA shines a spotlight on Park and Recreation Month by selecting a theme that recognizes the profession and its key role in bringing people together , offering vital services and helping our communities evolve . This year ’ s theme , “ Where Community Grows ,” embodies this notion completely .
THE ORIGINS OF PARK AND RECREATION MONTH According to the NRPA website : “ Since 1985 , people in the United States have celebrated Park and Recreation Month in July to promote building strong , vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation and to recognize the more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals — along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers — that maintain our country ’ s local , state and community parks .”
However , Park and Recreation Month represents more than people simply enjoying our public spaces . As NRPA President and
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS NRPA complements its chosen theme with an annual Park and Recreation Month Cover Contest . Each year , park and recreation agencies submit their photos that they believe best illustrate the theme with the goal of being featured on the July cover of Parks & Recreation magazine . This year , City of Glenwood Springs ( Colorado ) Parks and Recreation earned bragging rights with its inspiring image of Isaac Alonso , a young community member who participates in the agency ’ s therapeutic recreation program . What ’ s more , Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation ’ s Helaine “ Laine ” Fabijanic and the Alonso family were profiled in the cover story by Cort Jones , NRPA ’ s senior manager of digital content .
As Glenwood Springs ’ first community and therapeutic recreation supervisor , Fabijanic focuses on building relationships and trust with patrons of all abilities . “ My purpose and passion are to help provide therapeutic recreation for our community here , giving people an opportunity to recreate who normally don ’ t get that opportunity and maybe aren ’ t even seen or programmed for ,” said Fabijanic .
Jones wrote , “ Therapeutic recreation allows people to have fun and to socialize while practicing the skills that they ’ re learning sportsfieldmanagementonline . com July 2023 | SportsField Management
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