Oregon’s Spirit of Halloweentown capitalizes on the iconic 1998 movieBy Melissa HartMost of us celebrate Halloween on a single night. But in the small waterfront town of St. Helens, Ore.—27 miles north of ...

Tips, insights, and impact from Open Space Arts’ May Flower ShowBy I.E. LuckyOpen Space Arts’ May Flower Show has become a highly anticipated event, drawing visitors from all corners of Prince William County, Va....

Transforming a crumbling monument into a community theatreBy John JacksonFirst open to the public in 1899, Riverside Park was once the crown jewel of Indianapolis’ parks and boulevards system. Its modern footprin...

Austin’s Mueller development integrates greenspace and a skate park to create a one-of-a-kind neighborhood amenityBy Drew Carman and Amy WestermeyerAccess to greenspace is a defining feature of the Mueller develo...

The future of aquatic-center designBy Jody SergiWhile swim meet and water polo athletes focus on agility, speed, and performance, they rarely pay attention to the pool in which they compete. After all, they know it will a...

How waterblasting is changing the surface-preparation marketBy Jordan KosterSandblasting and waterblasting both stem from naturally occurring processes. Both types of erosion existed long before humans harnessed the power...

Extending courtesy to those who need it mostBy Ron CiancuttiDoctors agreed that, after President Ronald Reagan survived a 1981 assassination attempt, his memory was diminished. (Years later, he was formally diagnosed with...

Award-winning nature park’s holistic approach to building shade structures inspires other communitiesBy Sarah YantFrom wildlife-viewing blinds to pergolas, shade structures in parks are essential features that not ...

A pioneering venture leads to Joya, a unique glow-in-the-dark playgroundBy Michael MashburnSignificant decisions often gravitate toward the familiar, the status quo, or the absence of alternatives. Cities find th...

Tips to ensure camps are properly protected for every scenarioBy Tracy SchmeltzerAs a camp manager or director, participating in timely training is important not ...

How to incorporate the new Olympic lacrosse format into park playBy Mary Helen SprecherLacrosse is ready for its close-up.But that close-up won’t come until 2028, when lacrosse will be featured as a showcase sport...

Applying the principle of reconciliationBy Christopher ThurberAugust 6, 1980, was my first day at overnight camp. The day began with homesick tears and almost ended in gloomy ones. My cabin had just lost a close te...

Coordinating successful youth sports game daysBy Jason SchaitzGame days are the reason kids, parents, and coaches participate in youth sports. Coordinators put all the work into planning, marketing, registration, player e...

Getting kids to sample all sorts of sportsBy John EnghGrowing up, I played just about every sport imaginable, and I’m glad I did. I loved baseball from the start and was lucky to play all through high school. Every...

Progress and opportunity along the 3,700-mile route of the Great American Rail-TrailBy Kevin BelleWhen Powell County, Mont., purchased an 11-mile stretch of the former Milwaukee Road railroad corridor in 2017, offi...

Park model cabins provide camper and staff housing that’s flexible and sustainableBy Gina TabassoMany people have fond childhood memories of camping with their families and enjoying the outdoors, but the experience of cam...

The struggle to preserve paddle tennis amidst the rise of pickleball By Janine ParkinsonIn an era when trends come and go with the scroll of a finger, there's something comforting about tradition. It's the thread wove...

Advice on maintaining a disc-golf courseBy Danielle SpenceThere are more than 14,000 disc-golf c...

How to score parks & rec bonds in a challenging economy By Karen FischerWhen it comes to the economy, 2024 has been a confounding year. There has often been positive news, but elevated interest rates have held ...

The fight for fair access to playBy Kevin PaulJ.T. Johnson sat dripping in his bathing suit, jailed on a hot June day in 1963 after the briefest of swims at the Monson Motor Lodge in balmy St. Augustine, Fla.Throu...

Partners help bring Burleson’s special-needs soccer clinic to fruitionBy London PulferTexas-based Burleson Parks and Recreation’s vision is to support a vibrant and healthy community by providing everyone with oppo...

Simple strategies to get the most from seasonal hiresBy Ron CiancuttiI worked in the parks and recreation field for almost 50 years before I retired, and I remember that when I told people what I did for a living, they al...

How Portland’s parks are engaging the entire communityBy Laura Wheatman HillPortland, Ore., and the surrounding suburbs have great natural beauty. Trails, natural areas, and water sources abound for people seeking recreati...

Making Fields And Facilities More Welcoming For Colorblind AthletesBy Mary Helen SprecherSometimes, not everything is black and white. There are plenty of shades of gray between.And in sports, that can cause a pro...

Bold, new approaches to accessibility on the Oregon coastBy Melissa HartOregon-based hiker and accessibility activist Jodie St. Clair headed for Ruby Beach on the Olympic Peninsula with her husband and two young sons, look...