Study: Parks Bring Billions to State, Millions to Local Communities
from the Lake County News
What's the value of local state parks to the county's economy? Based on a recently released study, the answer is millions of dollars. As California officials consider a proposal by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to close 220 of the state's 280 state parks, a newly released study gives a look at just how important parks are to the state and local communities. The California Parks and Recreation Department commissioned the study, which was conducted by California State University, Sacramento's Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration. More

Parks, Recreation Promote Health
from the Pocono Record
Put simply, parks and recreation services promote healthy living. According to accumulating research, time spent in green outdoor spaces by children fosters creative play and relieves attention deficit disorders. Among adults, the rejuvenation derived from such outdoor pursuits as trailing a tiny ball through the byways of a golf course — or the hours teasing trout with an artificial fly — are well-known. Aerobic activities of jogging, walking and swimming contribute directly to our physical health. More

Most Southwest Florida Parks Seeing Boost in Visitors as Economy Struggles
from the Naples Daily News
Regional residents battered by the broken economy may be exploring places they’ve never been before: Their local parks. With few exceptions, Southwest Florida’s government-operated recreation sites have been busier during the past two fiscal years, admissions data shows and park officials have said. More

Shifting Demographics Bring New Demands to Arizona City
from The Arizona Republic
As one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona, Surprise anticipated that in another 10 years residents between 5 to 17 years old will become the largest segment of its population, followed by those 30-39 years old. One of the biggest impacts of the changing demographics can be seen in the city's Community and Recreation Department. More

New Campaign: Give Nature a Try
from Advertising Age
The Ad Council is teaming up with the U.S. Forest Service in a new campaign to raise an awareness of nature among America's youth. The campaign is designed to encourage 8- to 12-year-olds and their parents to reconnect with nature by spending time in nearby forests and parks and interest them in protecting and conserving natural resources. Research shows that kids today spend 50 percent less time outdoors than they did 20 years ago. More

Sports Complex Boosts Special Needs Kids
from KETV
A new sports complex at Seymour Smith Park in Omaha, Neb., is doing more than just giving kids a place to play. It's giving them a chance to change their lives. The All Play complex features baseball and softball fields with soft rubber coatings to give children with disabilities or special needs a place to feel independent and confident. More

Federal Rules Put Some Local Fourth of July plans in Limbo
from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
The countdown is on to July 4, but federal rules are keeping several cities' fireworks plans in limbo. The U.S. Coast Guard and National Marine Fisheries Service are still considering whether to allow cities to launch fireworks from ocean barges. The government agencies are trying to prevent harm to endangered sea turtles and federally protected corals from fireworks, boats, barges and anchors. More

Minneapolis, Minn., Park Board Considers Role as a Green-efforts Leader
from the Southwest Journal
Minneapolis, Minn., is well-publicized as one of the most green cities in the country, repeatedly ranking at or near the top in national surveys for its urban parks system. So why not take it a few steps further and consider the entire thing a park? Some on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board clearly like the idea, one of a slew of suggestions commissioners recently received in a report from a sustainability consulting firm. More

Nebraska City Attracts Visitors with Disc Golf Course
from the Omaha Newsstand
Nestled away between trees on the south end of Wayne Park in Waverly, Neb., lies an inexpensive and challenging activity. For more than 10 years, Wayne Park has been home to its own nine-hole disc golf course. Today, the course gets regular use by Waverly residents, as well as people from outside the community. More

Safety Changes Call for Plunge in Pools’ Budgets
from the Atlanta Journal Constitution
People have been tossing money in the water because the federal government said they had to. That’s no exaggeration. Late last year, a law went into effect requiring all public swimming pools, kiddie pools and hot tubs to meet enhanced drain-safety standards. Pool operators who didn’t comply faced fines or forced closings. Recreation directors, swim coaches and others who oversee public pools scrambled to find cash and equipment necessary to make their facilities safer. More

Former Coach Advocates for Youth Sports
from the Washington Daily News
Bobby Andrews wants the youth of Washington and Beaufort County to have what they need when it comes to sports. That’s why, at age 73, he is involved with the city’s various youth sports programs. Andrews retired from his position as athletic-programs supervisor with the Washington Parks and Recreation Department in 2007 after 22 years on the job, but he still coordinates the city’s adult athletic programs and books officials and scorekeepers for a variety of leagues. More