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Recession Provides a Chance to Plan Growth
from The Morning Call
 In growing Lehigh Valley, Pa., communities, where the once-bullish economy gave municipal officials a run for their money, the recession has been as much a welcome breather as it has been a burden on the budget. The ensuing recession, though the cause of one of the Valley's toughest municipal budget years in recent history, has given planners a chance to step outside into their communities and assess how the building boom has changed their hometowns. That perspective has brought back-burner issues such as the impact of more traffic, the lack of recreational areas and the need for more environmental protection into focus. More
 
A Look at North America's Parks
from Ethical Traveler
While Canada is expanding already protected areas and freezing use fees for visitors, across the United States, parks are facing proposed and actual closures as a result of an economic downturn leading to lower tax revenues for most states. However, a team of researchers at Sacramento State University released a new study they say shows that the state parks system pays for itself. According to survey results taken over the past two years, visitors spend $4.3 billion in "park-related expenditures" each year. This money generates $300 million in sales tax revenue to state government. More
New Foundation to Help Fund California City’s Park Projects
from the Mercury News
Following a big-city trend of private funding for public parks, a new nonprofit group in San Jose, Calif., is set to launch in September to improve city parks and recreation services. Organizers hope the new San Jose Parks Foundation will help fill a void in park services that continue to be a targeted for cuts as San Jose's $90 million deficit looms. More
The Best Cities to Raise an Outdoor Kid
from Backpacker Magazine
Which towns offer the ideal mix of accessible trails, inspiring teachers, and great recreational resources? Backpacker Magazine worked with The Outdoor Foundation to identify America's top 25 places to beat nature deficit disorder. More
Children Take to Trail in TRACK Program
from the Citizen-Times
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation's “Kids in Parks” initiative in Asheville, N.C., is designed to groom a new generation of parkway stewards while encouraging children to “be active, be healthy and be outside.” Judging from the shrieks of excitement, and the dirty hands and knees of kids coming off the trail at the parkway visitor center Saturday, the initiative is already a success. More
Food for Thought: Could Vegetable Oil-based Biodiesel Fuel Our Future?
from the Northwest Asian Weekly
The City of Seattle is currently looking into the possibility of using biodiesel made from food grease and vegetable oil to power its fleet of government vehicles. This spring, Mayor Greg Nickels ordered the city to stop purchasing soy-based biodiesel, which had fueled hundreds of city vehicles including fire engines and pickup trucks over the last five years. Seattle’s Fleets and Facilities Department (FFD) and Department of Parks and Recreation are now testing the performance of biodiesel generated solely from waste grease and vegetable oil. More
The Last Days of Recreation
from the Santa Monica Daily Press
As hundreds of hikers head out to their favorite trails this weekend, they would be wise to stop and smell the roses, or whatever foliage is around, for the hike could be their last — in the state park that is. Faced with devastating budget cuts totaling $53.6 million, the California Department of Parks and Recreation is being forced to close or reduce services at state parks, with some state officials estimating that 100 parks will be off limits to visitors. More
Recreation Funds Flow Freely in D.C.
from The Washington Post
Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian M. Fenty is engaged in a major overhaul of the District's long-troubled network of recreational offerings, spending tens of million of dollars on school yards, playgrounds and athletic fields. In a stunning turnaround from the late 1990s, when the city's parks system fell into a severe state of disrepair, D.C. agencies and the school system are working on more than two dozen projects. Several big initiatives have recently been completed, and residents will soon see more dog parks, playgrounds, pools, and extravagant basketball courts and baseball and soccer fields. More
NRPA Turns Overgrown Lot into State-of-the-Art Playground
from eMediaWire
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) along with Washington, D.C., officials and local community organizations hosted the official opening of the newest public playground located in Marvin Gaye Park in Northeast Washington, D.C., last week. NRPA along with the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation and Washington Parks and People were largely responsible for the compete conversion of an overgrown vacant lot into a model playground for the Lincoln Heights and Richardson Dwellings neighborhoods. It was noted that these neighborhoods have lacked a playground for over 30 years. 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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Urban Naturalist Leads Education Efforts in New York City Parks
from VOA News
The love of wildlife takes many people to western U.S. states like Wyoming, California and Colorado, where they can work or play in a one of America's vast national parks. But Sarah Aucoin has chosen to protect wildlife in a place where you find much less of it - New York City. Aucoin is making a difference as an Urban Park Ranger, raising awareness about Manhattan's green spaces and restoring the city's natural heritage. More
Child's Play(ground): Electronic Playground in Utah Already Seems to be a Hit
from the Deseret News
Those are Ryan McGarry's initials with one of the high scores on the playground. The 14-year-old made his first visit to the Layton, Utah, playground last week and is already on the leader board. Lucky for him, the playground keeps track of his score for him, just like it does for the youths who play any of the 10 games the playground offers. Games call for running, jumping, climbing, stretching and balance, which require the use of various groups of muscles. 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
