Parks Endangered Across Country Due to Economy
from The Associated Press via USA Today
The economic downturn has forced states around the country to shutter historic sites and reduce visiting hours for parks. But in Florida, Illinois, California and a few other places, closures have been forestalled after outcries from the public and budget-juggling by officials. More

California City Offers Schools History Tour
from the SGV Tribune
Not every city has its own historical book or text to study local history. But the city of Covina, Calif.'s, Parks and Recreation Department has found a way for local schools to fulfill state requirements to do just that. Created in 2001, ‘The Vintage Years, Covina Before 1950’ photographic exhibit, is the answer Covina schools and teachers needed to fulfill the requirement. It also gives students a more in-depth, hands-on experience to learning the rich history of their city. More

Clock Move Means More Time to Play
from The Robesonian
Along with warmer weather, the NCAA basketball tournament, and blooming flowers comes another sure sign that winter is coming to an end — Daylight Savings Time. A key provision of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was to extend Daylight Savings Time by four weeks. The extra time of daylight gained by springing forward an hour should stimulate the economic fortunes for area golf courses and other recreation-oriented businesses. More

Laser Tag Hits Mark with Kids
from The Modesto Bee
SpecOps Live Play has set up an outdoor laser tag facility in a few acres of undeveloped parkland in Oakdale, Calif. The company pays the city $20 for every day it uses the land and will give the city 5 percent of its gross revenue. The agreement could generate $13,065 for the city over the course of a year, said Parks and Recreation Director Cheryl Bolin. More

Elite Athletes Showcase Sports for the Disabled
from the Boulder Daily Camera
Several members of the U.S. Paralympic Team recently gave demonstrations on hand cycling, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair racing, power-chair soccer, judo and swimming to injured service members and disabled residents from across Colorado. The Boulder, Colo., Parks and Recreation Department used the showcase to enhance awareness for its spring EXPAND program, which offers activities and sports for people with disabilities. More

Kick It Rec League-style
from the Delmarva Daily Times
Kickball, softball, dodgeball, wiffleball and soccer, to name a few. No, this is not the itinerary for a semester of gym class. Instead, these are some of the sports available in an ever-growing number of leagues meant for full-fledged grownups along the Eastern Shore. While some of these new leagues are the product of privately-run organizations, others are an extension of forward-thinking parks and recreation departments. More

Effort for Accessible Playground Needs Help
from KHQA-TV
Of the eight parks in Hannibal, Ct., none are handicap accessible. But now the city of Hannibal is teaming up with North East Independent Living Services in hopes of raising enough money to build a playground that all children can enjoy together. But fulfilling this simple need will take the community's support. More

Greenways -- for the Economy, for Us
from the Star News Online
How would you like to walk or bike out your front door and get on a greenway that will take you to Maine? How about Key West? That's the vision of the East Coast Greenway. The East Coast Greenway is part of a long-term vision for recreation and for transportation. Some people will travel it for a grand cross-country adventure. Others will use shorter sections of the trail to commute to work, to shop, and just to enjoy the outdoors. More

Grind Into Action
from Recreation Management
Ask anyone involved with building a skatepark, from the designers to those on city council, and the most important bit of advice they give is to include those who will be using the park from the very beginning of the park's conception. When the community of Shelbyville, Tenn., began planning its park several years ago, the youth who would be using it were invited to help with the design. More

New Indoor Playground to Open in Minnesota City
from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Cabin-fever kids and their parents will have a new way to escape the winter blahs in Shoreview, Minn., when an indoor playground opens. City leaders say the indoor play area will help fill a need for residents of Shoreview and surrounding cities while making money for the city. More