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Texas Couple Pushing for Skate Park
from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 Cody Rocamontes and his friends skateboarded in empty parking lots and around businesses. They dreamed of a free skate park in Arlington, Texas, and planned to go before the City Council this fall with their request. Then he was struck by a car and killed Aug. 6 while walking near a highway to one of his favorite skateboarding spots. More
 
NRPA Webinar Series Presents: It's Easy Being Green!
from NRPA
Sept. 22, 2009
2 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. EST
Price: $30 members
$45 non-members
CEUs: 0.1
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It really IS easy being Green! The greening industry has exploded in the last few years in both the public and private sectors. Park patrons are more aware of their individual environmental footprints as well as the environmental footprints of their local and national government agencies. The current economy is making it even tougher for parks to operate facilities and to provide programming to their communities. Learn how comprehensive energy management programs can help to decrease operating costs as well as green house gas emissions.
As the owner and manager of over 7,500 acres of parkland throughout the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District has always been green. However, as green becomes a more complex adjective to apply to a municipal agency, the city has had to look further into the qualifications and find more innovative ways to define the term.
Join NRPA and Ellen Sargent (LEED AP, Deputy Director of the Office of Green Initiatives, Chicago Park District) as she reviews best management practices and the green initiatives program which includes daily landscape and facility mangament operations, capital projects, patron education, and staff/administrative efforts. Click here for more information.
Join Thousands to Celebrate Play
Cities are teaming up with KaBOOM! to host Play Days across the country. Parks and Recreation officials in Missouri and Virginia are planning events statewide. Henderson, NV is holding 37 events on one day! Join thousands of communities across the country in celebrating the importance of play. Register your Play Day today at kaboom.org/playday.
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Thrifty Summer to Write Home About
from the Omaha World-Herald
With the much reported on dip the economy has taken, many families are taking short trips for vacation this year in an attempt to save money. This very frequently leads them to state parks, museums, and other cultural institutions. More
Arizona State Parks Considers Layoffs, Fee Increase
from The Arizona Republic
Facing a $1.5 million budget shortfall, the Arizona State Parks Board is considering layoffs and increased entrance fees. The move would fall in line with the parks board's decision last month to avoid park closures. However, the board may still have to reduce park days and hours of operation. More
State Parks Closure List To Be Released Next Week
from Bay City News
A list detailing the budget-related plans to close up to 100 state parks will be released sometime in the next week, a spokeswoman for California State Parks said late last week. The proposed closures were announced earlier this summer after last-minute line-item vetoes and other funding reductions resulted in millions of dollars in lost funding for parks, according to California State Parks officials. More
State Sales Tax Funding: A Start for County Parks
from Shakopee Valley News
More than a half-million dollars is headed for Scott County, Minn., parks from the state’s new sales tax fund, but it won’t be enough to open the long idle Spring Lake Regional Park. Instead, the county is opting to invest state dollars in the newly acquired Cedar Lake Farm in Helena Township and develop a strategy for acquiring land in the Blakeley Bluffs area. More
Sun, Wind Power Coming to Three Oklahoma Parks
from Tulsa World
Tulsa County, Okla., plans to use $250,000 in federal stimulus funds to install wind turbines and solar panels at three county parks. Tulsa County Park Administration Director Richard Bales said: "We're pretty excited about the potential, because I do have pretty heavy electric bills. So if I can shave a couple of pennies off, it would be pretty good news for the county." More
100 Years of Patrolling the Park
from the Canmore Leader
Known as Fire and Game Guardians in 1909, they later became the National Park Warden Service. A century later, the legacy of the warden from the mountain man on horseback to the men and women who protect our parks today was celebrated last weekend.More
Focus is on Increased Accountability and Performance
from News Blaze
Federal agencies today released the seven draft reports required by President Obama's executive order on the Chesapeake Bay, which contain a range of proposed strategies for accelerating cleanup of the nation's largest estuary and its vast watershed.More
Clean Up or Shut Down; Cost Saving Swimming Pool Maintenance Solutions
One of the worst complaints a facility manager can receive is that their swimming pool is not clean; be it the morning lap swimmer, the weekend bather or worse case – the inspector. To remain within budget and actually lower expenses, such as water, chemicals and labor in particular, more parks and recreation facilities have chosen an Aqua Products "robotic" cleaner as the solution to maintain their aquatic facility more than any other. These reliable cleaners work autonomously to scrub, vacuum and filter without hoists, hoses or manual labor, and the savings realized pays for the purchase in as little as 3 months. More
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U.S. Mint List of New National Park Quarters
from The Associated Press
The U.S. Mint announced last week that it will produce a series of quarters highlighting America's national parks, one per state and territory, beginning next year. More
Report Says Yellowstone Healthy
from the Associated Press
A new report says natural resources at Yellowstone National Park are generally doing well. However, the report also concludes that the park faces challenges from both within and outside its boundaries. More
Physically-active Children Sleep Better
from the Examiner
A research published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood reports that every hour of the day children are inactive adds three minutes to the time it takes them to fall asleep. The study indicates that children who fall asleep faster also sleep for longer. Although, it appears one is not the direct consequence of the other. Research shows that approximately 16 percent of parents of school aged children report that their child finds it difficult to get to sleep. More
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Green products now available under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009
 For park and recreational products or construction and building materials available on GSA contract for ARRA or Disaster Recovery programs visit our Web site at www.plasticrecycling.us. |
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Product Showcase: DOGIPOT
 DOGIPOT introduces its OXO-BIODEGRADABLE Litter Pick Up Bags. These new and improved litter pick up bags are one of the most environmentally conscious pet waste bags on the market and designed to not only help rid parks, recreation areas, campgrounds and RV Parks of the unsightly, smelly, nuisance of dog waste, but also minimize the environmental impact of bagged dog waste. There are DOGIPOT imitators in the market, but nobody is able to match DOGIPOT’s experience, high quality, environmentally-conscious product line, world class customer service or value. Experience the DOGIPOT Advantage! More info
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Product Showcase:
Eaton RV Park Hookups
 Eaton's extensive line of pedestals, distribution equipment, and wire allow us to offer a complete electrical solution for RV park owners and developers. We also provide a complimentary electrical layout to minimize equipment and wire cost and to reduce installation time. Order your pedestals online at www.rvparkhookups.com and save 10%.
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Product Showcase: Goric
 Goric specializes in play equipment that develops physical strength, invokes the senses; elements which are exciting to children, durable, and are architecturally interesting and aesthetically pleasing. More info
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DOGIPOT
