Nature 'Deficit' May be Abating
from the Pocono Record
Millions more people have visited U.S. national parks so far this year over last year. That's an encouraging sign that Americans are interested anew in healthy outdoor recreation. The poor economy may be sending people to the great outdoors rather than to hotels, resorts and attractions. Or it could be lower gas prices. Or the free weekends at parks that have waived fees in some cases. Whatever the reason, it's nice to see that people still think parks are worthwhile destinations. More

Putting a Price on Walkability
from CNN
How much is walkability worth? An intriguing new study suggests that people are willing to pay considerable premiums for houses in neighborhoods that are highly walkable — that is, where you can actually get to nearby stores, schools, and parks without having to hop in the car. More

Venture Outdoors Attracts Active, Growing Membership
from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A group of outdoor enthusiasts had a thought in 2001-- too many Pittsburghers weren't seeing the forest for the trees, the water for the rivers, lakes and streams, the majestic mountains for the rocks. That was the basis for their forming Venture Outdoors, a nonprofit group that organizes activities to help Pittsburghers realize the variety of the environmental splendor we inhabit. The group is now a national model for getting citizens outdoors. More

Students Blaze Trails in Connecticut Park
from the Stamford Advocate
A group of 10 Greenwich, Conn., high school-aged students are creating trails through a wooded preserve in the northeast corner of Old Greenwich, Conn., nestled up against the town line with Stamford, Conn. It's part of a three-week pilot project that the national Student Conservation Association, a group of high school and college students who work to protect and preserve the natural environment, is undertaking in Greenwich. The 52-year-old association is funded largely through private and corporate support. More

Filmmakers Return to Michigan County for Second Shoot
from WJRT-TV
Like parks throughout this country who work on a shoestring budget, the Genesee County, Mich., Parks is always seeking out and developing new and innovative revenue generating programs. Working actively with the state's film office the Genesee County Parks has landed its second film production this summer. More

Ohio City May Outsource Some Rec Programs
from the Brunswick Sun
In an effort to improve programming for the city's younger residents and to help boost the recreation center's bottom line, Brunswick, Ohio’s, parks and recreation department is looking to outsource a portion of its youth-targeted programming. Parks and recreation director John Piepsny says city council has approved the department's plans to contract with Jump Start Sports to oversee many of its youth-targeted sports programs beginning next month. More

New Life for Old Clubs
from the Miami Herald
Some avid golf fans recently answered the question: What happens when old, retired golf sets are no longer in the swing of things? “We find good homes for them,” said Saul Shechter, a member of the Hollybrook Golf and Tennis Club Men's Golf Association. Shechter, his brother Carl, and fellow association members Dan Riccio and Sol Goodowitz, who all live in the Hollybrook senior community in Pembroke Pines, pooled 25 long forgotten golf sets, hundreds of golf balls and dozens of single clubs for donation to the younger generation. More

Cultivating Community: Gardeners Grow Food, Friendships
from The Salem News
It was an idea that sprouted among a few friends in a book group, and it quickly took root. Now, Salem Community Gardens in Salem, Mass., is in its third season, with sites at two public parks and a total of 140 plots tended by local residents and their families — and there's a waiting list of 35. More

Safety and Protection for All
from Recreation Management
"Risk management" is one of those important-sounding terms that may or may not be adequately understood. However, particularly in the recreation business, it's a term that truly is important—not just to understand, but to implement and keep updated. An effective risk management strategy is your best means of making sure your park or pool or soccer field is as safe as possible for those who come to play, and your best approach to keeping your organization covered if (perish the thought) an accident occurs and a potential lawsuit arises. More

Chilly Economy Encourages More People to Summer in Local Parks
from the Chicago Tribune
"I definitely think people seem to be staying closer to home over summer vacation, and we're seeing bigger numbers because of it," said LaFrenere, the district's deputy director. This is good news for scores of Chicago-area municipal parks, which have attracted visitors like ants to egg salad during this coolish summer. Many parks are hosting larger than normal turnouts, officials say. More

Picnics in Parks Becoming Popular
from The San Francisco Examiner
Outside parties are in, as families and other revellers forgo pricey party venues for city parks. So far this year, there has been a 20 percent spike in park rental permits, according to San Francisco Recreation and Park Department spokeswoman Lisa Seitz-Gruwell. Families have likely been bringing their picnic baskets and barbecues to San Francisco’s public parks more often than in past years because DIY parties are cheaper than hiring a planner or booking a slot at a party place, Seitz-Gruwell said. More

New Technology Bringing New Opportunities
from the Oakdale Lake Elmo Review
Just a few years ago, if you told someone you "tweeted," "facebooked" and "texted" you may have been signed up for a psychiatric evaluation. But as technology moves into the 21st century, we have become accustomed to making up new verbs like the ones above. These new technologies are making it easier by the day for people, businesses and even cities to become better linked and more informed. More