Skateparks Start to Go Green
from The New York Times
The recently opened Ed Benedict skatepark in Portland, Ore., offers some unusual sights: Trees. And plants. And rocks. And dirt. Young men jump and tumble on the concrete ramps, gliding around the small patch of nature. Like this one in Portland, which opened in February, a handful of skateparks around the country are built with the environment in mind. More

Seaside, Ore., Playground Swings Together
from The Daily Astorian
They came, and they built it. Actually, more than 110 volunteers came to Broadway Park in Seaside, Ore., and built four playgrounds for kids ages 2 through 12. They grappled with diagrams, sorted out nuts, bolts and washers; pieced together parts with names like "gizmo panel" and "bubble panel"; searched for missing equipment; and worked in teams to construct wave slides, tunnels and swing sets. More

Idaho State Parks Stay Open, Despite Budget Cuts
from the Times-News
In spite of all the economic uncertainty that's reached Idaho, there remains a steady source of relaxation - the outdoors. The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation announced this week that despite the recent budget slashing, all 30 state parks and recreational trails will remain open this season. The idea is to offer Idahoans and families affordable opportunities to enjoy themselves, despite cuts that include reducing state employee payrolls and trimming costs for maintenance and operations. More

High-flying Park Brings Community Together
from The Citizen
Dope. Sweet. Sick. Prime. Mint. Crisp. Solid. Coming out of the mouths of any cyclist at the newly dedicated Cleasby Bike Park, those words wouldn't turn a head. But when Gerry Giles, the Cowichan Valley Regional District Director for Area C, utters those terms, it's something different altogether. More

Video: North Texas Pools Prep to Stay Crypto-Free
from NBC-DFW
Pool season kicked off this past weekend, and public pools are doing what they can to keep them crypto-free. In Plano, Texas, staff members at the city's six pools check the water every two hours for chlorine levels. But the main preps are done yearly. But pool experts say parents need to play a big role in keeping crypto from spreading. More

Lincoln, Neb., Gets Major Stimulus Grant for Environmental Initiatives
from the Journal Star
Lincoln, Neb., has been awarded $261,985 in federal funding to hire 24 AmeriCorps members to work on environmental projects. The Recovery Go Green initiative is led by the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department and funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, with support provided by ServeNebraska, Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission. More

Walkers Log Miles for Health
from the Springfield News-Sun
There is no better exercise than walking, said Connie Miller. “It’s relaxing. Almost anyone can do it. And it’s just great to be outdoors,” said Miller of Springfield, as she walked the soccer fields at Eagle City Soccer Complex. “I walk every day.” Last week, dozens of Clark County, Ohio, residents joined Miller in her favorite exercise activity during the fifth annual Healthy Ohio Fitness Walk. More

At Last, 'Boundless' Site for Youngsters is Put into Play
from the Maui News
The dream of a late Maui, Hawaii, philanthropist came true recently as a playground designed for children of all abilities finally opened in Kahului to the cheers of youngsters, supporters and dozens of volunteers who helped build the project. The Hui Aloha playground at Keopuolani Park - conceived years ago as a "boundless" playground also accessible to children with disabilities - was finally blessed and open for play. More

Tough Summer Job Market for Indiana Teens
from the South Bend Tribune
The city of South Bend, Ind., generally hires about 400 additional workers for the spring and summer, and about 30 percent to 40 percent of the seasonal hires are teenagers, according to Phil St. Clair, director of parks and recreation. But this year, the percentage of teenage hires will likely decrease, he said. More

Video: Kids Get Ready to Hit the Parks During Summer Vacation
from KWES-TV
"It's a routine-type situation. Inspections are made by supervisors on every site, daily. It's something to keep up with. It is very difficult." Those are the words of Steve Patton, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Odessa, Texas. The city has 36 parks and 40 full-time employees to keep them all in shape, all year round. More

Congress OKs Guns in Parks
from the Post-Tribune
Visitors will soon be able to carry loaded guns in national parks and wildlife refugees. Congress voted last week to allow it in a stinging defeat for gun-control advocates. The measure was part of the popular credit card bill, which would impose new restrictions on credit card companies. President Barack Obama has vowed to sign it. More