APRIL 2002

Tot lots, skate parks, splash play parks, regional parks, bike parks, dog parks. Parks today are as varied as our communities.

Take a walk through our study of modern park design, including all the essential elements. Plus, interesting views of some recent park success stories.

Water-related risks and hazards are numerous and complex for pools and waterparks, or any place else where people and water are put in the equation. While aquatic programming is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of the recreation world, it is also the most in need of rigorous safety programs.

We take an in-depth look at the toughest challenges facing aquatic facilities and some solutions and ideas to overcome them.

Lighting fields have become a tricky balancing act, in which the needs of the players and the concerns of the neighbors can threaten to topple multimillion-dollar projects.

What are the best ways to illuminate sports fields for performance, safety and aesthetics? We'll shed some light on the subject.

A happy customer is a return customer and one of your best investments. Make sure your staff is well versed in treating customers right, even in tough situations.

Waves are naturally fun and have a magnetic effect on people. When the ocean is not available, folks do whatever they can to enjoy its undulating effect, for example, why not, building a wave pool.

Judging by the headlines, it seems there is no shortage of stories about violence, thievery and other shenanigans in youth sports these days, with parents often the prime culprits. Whether it is trash talking, poor sportsmanship, verbal abuse or even physical assault, this type of parental conduct is not only sad and shocking but downright despicable and dangerous.

Find out how to promote good behavior in your programs.

Extending the life of your lockers is one way to keep expenses down and improve your bottom line. Equipping a locker room with aesthetically pleasing and useful lockers is a major long-term investment, though constant use can cause costly locker maintenance problems.

Residents of Rocky Mount, N.C., had a variety of city parks to choose from when it came to recreation. But while the parks are all in close proximity, there wasn't a good way to get from one to another without taking city streets. Nearly 30 years ago, residents first proposed a greenway to promote access all the city parks.

Now that plan is finally coming to fruition, and one of the most important parts of the project has become a centerpiece of the park system.

Built to replace an aging indoor track facility, this 68,000-square-foot fieldhouse comes with a Magic Carpet all its own—like a modern facility fairy tale.

Find out the details of this classic stadium's field facelift.

Batter up!