Sure, skate parks and inline places are popping up all over the place, but what exactly does it take to create a great skate park and inline hockey facility?

Here's a comprehensive guide to planning a skate park and inline hockey rink, including the next generation in design.

While few pools are idle for very long anywhere in the country, the high cost of running a pool makes what aquatic directors call "dead water time" anathema to a successful pool program.

Looking for some new ways to attract the crowds to the pool—and keep them coming back?

Check out these programming insights to help aquatic centers build attendance.

Pampering is in—and profitable. More and more rec centers are converting or adding space for spas. What's the latest in spa facility design and what are important elements to make such an addition successful?

Find out how to make your spa spectacular.

While minor-league baseball has successfully pitched its family-oriented image, more and more stadiums are continuing to add amenities that are a big hit with the kids. Check out the custom playground built at this new state-of-the-art New Jersey stadium.

In 2004, when those eager to retrace the steps of Lewis and Clark's expedition to commemorate its 200th anniversary will no doubt enjoy the benefit of many modern improvements over the original journey—not the least of which are the new toilets and showers placed strategically along the way.

The University of Maryland's vertical challenge course, an Alpine Tower II, was almost brand new on Sept. 24, 2001, the day a tornado roared through campus. The 50-foot tower survived without a scratch.

Besides having survived a deadly tornado, the tower is also unique in its space-saving design. Instead of spreading individual challenges over a large park site, dozens of challenges are located within the tower, which takes up far less real estate.

The more successful and attractive you make your facility, the more requests you will receive from outside entrepreneurs to rent, borrow and/or share your property. Find out how to protect your reputation and your business by learning how to manage the risks associated with a special event or adventure vendor.

Having to tiptoe through the sand to avoid bottle caps, medical waste or insect-infested seaweed is, well, no day at the beach.

We can all agree that our recreational waters and beaches are a precious resource that must be vigilantly protected.

With fitness centers ever evolving, here's a peak at what's working for—and what's coming to—the workout world to keep facilities current and to help expand membership bases.

From simple cosmetic touches to large-scale additions and sharper service and staff to more meticulous maintenance, find some answers to freshen up your own facility.

There's always something new on the horizon when it comes to landscaping and grounds maintenance. We'll take a gander at tough problems like repelling Canada geese, switching to more eco-friendly practices and retaining skilled employees.

Sure, climbing walls were all the rage a few years back, but what's the next step in climbing-wall facilities?

Find out how to give your climbing gym a distinct personality that will keep the climbers coming.

More and more rec facilities are taking cues from minor-league baseball stadiums, which are targeting—and delivering—fun for the whole family. Pick up some new programming ideas from the facilities that have hit home runs with patrons.

Waiting in line and having fun are not usually mutually exclusive—especially at amusement parks. So if you're looking for a place to up the fun and skip the lines, you might want to head to the southernmost point of Texas.

To be more exact, the place is Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark in South Padre Island.

What happens when a skate park is near the top of your Wish List, but you just don't have room for one?

This was the case for the Timber-Lee Christian Center, a year-round youth camp in East Troy, Wis., which serves about 4,000 campers in the summer, 18,000 Outdoor Ed students during the school year and about 3,500 junior- and senior-high church youth group members on winter weekends. Find out how the camp made room for skaters.

It all started when some local pet owners in Virginia Beach, Va., wanted a place where their pooches could play off leashes—legally.

So, the Virginia Beach Dog Owners Group (VBDOG) formed to advocate off-leash recreational areas, submitting a proposal to the City of Virginia Beach in the summer of 1999 to establish a dog park.

Because the bark park idea seemed to be backed by the community in general, it really didn't take much hounding, and the City agreed. But it did take some research and planning.

While more people join a health club in January than in any other month of the year, so far 2002 appears to be little different, except that club professionals have noticed a shift in their new members' motivations to join and start exercising. Find out more.

There are still 400 deaths and four times as many near deaths in public, lifeguarded swimming pools in the United States every year. And every second counts in a drowning incident.

How can you make your pool safer?

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.

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!

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.

With the XIX Winter Olympics gold rush now in the history books, there will no doubt be a following rush to the rinks, as kids dream of being the next Sarah, Derek or Anton. We'll offer a closer look how facilities can best serve these Winter Games dreams from figure skating and speedskating to hockey and even curling.

Choosing the right floor for the right uses is no small step. We'll walk you through some of the important flooring elements of performance, safety, appearance and maintenance.

A look at some great ideas how to serve and market to senior citizens, including fine-tuned facilities and programming just for the older set.

Opened in September 2000, this $28-million, 168,500-square-foot complex is one of the nation's largest public recreation centers. Rather than asking what it offers, it may take less breath or space to answer the question, "What doesn't it have?"

Part one in a three-part series.

If it hadn't struck an iceberg and sank on April 14, 1912, the Titanic would have arrived at Chelsea Piers on April 16. Instead, 675 survivors were brought to the piers on April 20. While the end-all, be-all of luxury cruise liners met a tragic fate, the end-all, be-all of sports and entertainment complexes, which now exists where the Titanic would have docked, looks like it has an unsinkable future.

And to think, just over 10 years ago, Chelsea Piers was a crumbling mess, scheduled not for distinction, but for destruction.

Preventive maintenance, through regular checkups, is still the only way to ensure a clean, clear, safe pool—whether indoors or outdoors, open year-round or seasonally. It involves two broad areas of focus: water chemistry and everything other than water, including pool equipment, as well as pool area and surface maintenance.

Ten years later confusion persists.

Yes, it's been more than 10 years since the Americans With Disabilities Act was adopted into law. Make no mistake, it's no longer a matter of courtesy to provide barrier-free accessibility to persons of all physical capabilities, including the disabled—it is a civil right. Inaccessible facilities are defined as a form of discrimination. And, while the U.S. Department of Justice and the Attorney General don't have a squad of "ADA Police" checking out buildings, many, many law suits have been brought against properties not in conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).

To everything there is, of course, a season. Or so it used to be. Now recreation directors are getting more out of their facilities by getting more creative with their offerings. All over the country, operations that used to be winter-only or summer-specific are now open year-round.

We feature an inside look at how some four-season facilities market themselves the whole year through, drawing good business from seasonal sports and activities and turning off-seasons into popular times.

Upscale, downscale or in between, facility managers ultimately want the same things for their buildings: efficiency, ease of maintenance, good security and aesthetics that appeal to users. And nowhere does that apply more than locker rooms and restrooms.

Glamorous or not, locker rooms and restrooms are, well, absolute necessities. What's hot and what's not when it comes to current designs that provide comfort and cleanliness?

In many ways, recreational facilities have been multi-use as long as they have existed. However, as the modern public's appetite for recreation, entertainment and education increases, the boundaries of “multi-use” are being stretched in many ways.

Facilities are finding out they can get more bang for their bucks from versatile designs. Learn how multipurpose facilities can serve many needs with the same space, promoting better efficiency, convenience and savings.

The North Jeffco Park and Recreation District officials wanted an the look and feel of an indoor waterpark when planning their 23,500-square-foot aquatics area. Find out how they designed it.

Sometimes the summer weather can be so sweltering even a dip in the pool doesn't help. And not only is the tepid water not all that enticing to patrons, it is unfortunately inviting to bacteria, viruses and algae, all adding up to an uncomfortable and unhealthy pool.

Louisiana is known for more than its share of brutally simmering days, which is why the arm base in Fort Polk chose the right artillery for its two 50-meter swimming pools.

No festival is a simple undertaking. Like any special event, it requires an incredible amount of organization and time, detailed planning, many moving pieces, and of course, a dedicated staff to put it all together. Here are some helpful pointers.

Operating a miniature golf course can be a fun, easy and profitable business venture. Once you've decided on it as your entrepreneurial endeavor and investment, probably the biggest decision will be the type of course that best suits your needs. Learn about your options.

It's impossible to overestimate the importance of creative play to child development. Accessibility is definitely not a new topic when in comes to playgrounds, but when we make a playground accessible, are we also consciously making certain that it's inclusive?

Recent trends in the industry show that waterparks and splash play areas are continuing to round out their family appeal and bring in bigger revenues with longer seasons and larger, faster and showier attractions.

Find out what's new for aquatic facilities as we offer a closer inspection of ideas for facilities that are taking the plunge.

The diversity of fitness programming across the country is on the up tick. In addition to a simple need to be more creative, the trend is driven by a desire to reach out to younger and older age groups-and to keep core clientele interested.

From boxing to yoga and even striptease (yes, you read that right), check out the hottest programming trends tackling the workout realm.

These days, it's simply not enough for recreation facilities and parks to slap a pleasing-colored paint on the walls and call it décor. Facilities need some flare, indoors and out, often carefully reflecting the past and future of the communities they serve. We'll look at some design pointers for adding artwork to public spaces.

There once was a time when rec managers spent their days worrying about manicuring baseball fields, thwarting petty vandalism and maintaining proper chlorine levels.

Now, in the post-Sept. 11 world, they're distracted by terrorism threats, possible pipe bombs and protecting their patrons.

As absurd as it would have seemed a year ago, law-enforcement officials today consider recreation facilities potential terrorism targets. Area parks and pools provide an ideal mark for would-be bombers because of the large number of people they attract.

Be vigilant. Find out how to best protect your facility, staff and patrons in the event of a disaster, natural or manmade. Some tips on making sure your emergency plans are well in place.

The North Jeffco Park and Recreation District officials wanted an ice center that could accommodate several interests, from hockey league play to figure skating lessons and competitions to drop-in recreational skating. Take a visit to the facility they created to custom-fit their community.

Find out how one facility is giving kids baseball practice about as close to the Major Leagues as they can get.

With its noble mission of improving the quality of life for special needs children in the community, the Institute took its philosophy outside, to the playground. Not only is its new playground universally accessible, but it will hopefully serve as a model for other playgrounds around the world.

Not only can managers pick up 101 new ideas to reward and motivate staff members, but even better, most of these tips are easy and inexpensive. You owe it to your staff to read this.

Turning to technology, find out how a trio of public pools in San Mateo, Calif., adopted new point-of-sale software to dramatically improve efficiency.

While developing comprehensive outdoor programming may be challenging to say the least, you can build a successful program if you know the problem areas in advance and have strategies to overcome them.

When it comes to designing a playground, it ain't kids play. Providing a safe play structure is a responsibility that will last as long as the structure does. Such care requires constant maintenance and vigilance. And to do it properly, supervisors must dedicate more employee attention to the equipment. Check out tips on how the create the coolest—yet safest—playground in town.

With the increasing popularity of some sports and the need to find fresh revenue streams, new sports complexes continue to pop up around the country. Several new projects have illustrated the creative possibilities in sports field design. Budgetary concerns, high demand for field space and environmental issues appear to be driving this creativity.

We discussed these innovative design concepts with architects, designers and facility managers, centering on how the changing demands of the recreational world are effecting the newest sports fields.

Although it sometimes requires a little extra effort upfront, saving the environment often ends up saving you money. Taking the issue of environmental protection head-on, here are some tips for how managers can make changes that boost a facility's environmentally friendly factors as well as save some green stuff.

Before Sept. 11, 2001, security for recreation managers meant micro-security, preventing small-scale personal property crime and vandalism. However, in the wake of Sept. 11, facilities now must be safeguarded as a whole, on the macro level.

Security experts and park law enforcement offer keys to maintaining a safe and fun environment for recreational facilities. Ideas run the gamut from simple, cost-effective strategies to fight traditional property and personal crime to the emerging issues of large-scale disasters and terrorism.

Excess moisture can wreak havoc with floors, which is exactly the problem Sparta High School faced when the synthetic floor started bubbling in spots throughout its gymnasium. Follow the school's search for a solution.

From a world-class soccer complex to a huge playground to mini-golf to a splash play area, this 690-acre project seems to have it all. Find out how they pulled it off.

Poor air quality has long plagued this indoor pool, causing severe discomfort for competitors and spectators alike and resulting in the facility being routinely shut out of hosting major swim meets. Learn the tact they took to correct the air problems for good so that they know breathe easy.

In a business that prides itself on making customers physically fit, it is a daunting task for managers to make their own facilities fit in terms of programs, space allocation, budget and membership. When it comes to planning, find out how you can maximize your use of space.

The new Alamosa Family Recreation Center in Colorado boasts a unique geothermal artesian well heating system among other amenities, illustrating another one of nature's answers to green design.

According to a recent survey, problem restrooms and locker rooms can have a lasting impact on patrons' perceptions of your facility as a whole. Find out how to make the best impression possible on the people who use your high-traffic restrooms and locker rooms. Check out our checklist of practical tips.

Now ranking as the nation's leading provider of water-based recreation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is no rookie when it comes to successful management-on-a-shoestring, public relations and conservation. Find out how inventive management solutions and identifying the latest trends in water-based recreation have helped put the Corps on top.

From pavilions and gazebos to restrooms and bandshells, provide a little indoor comfort in the great outdoors with creative and practical shelters and structure design.

How do you decide the type of structure that's right for your facility? You need to consider the three Fs: Form, Function and Frills.

No matter what your facility, improving outdoor athletic playing surfaces is always a major goal. Of course, almost any sports field could be a superior performer with an unlimited maintenance budget. But since "unlimited budget" is an oxymoron, one constant struggle for field managers is to find the way to get the best field for the least amount of money.

Take a closer look at new systems and strategies for maintaining high-quality sports fields and landscaping as well as other good groundskeeping tips and solutions.

With its perfect, endless curl, The Wave Waterpark gives the nearby San Diego beaches a run for their money. The municipal park's not-so-secret weapon is its FlowRider, which is a continuous, simulated wave system, moving 30,000 gallons of water per minute. It's the park's most popular amenity, attracting bobyboarders (and sometimes surfers) of all ages.

When Hononegah High School was badly in need of some elbowroom for its physical education classes and practice space for its sports teams, it decided to think, well, outside the box. In fact, there's not really a box at all: The school chose an inflatable dome, the first in Illinois high-school history.

Today, splash play areas are growing in popularity at a phenomenal rate, yet there are widespread concerns and misinformation regarding their design, use and regulation. In much of the country, local and state agencies have either little or no knowledge of what these facilities are, how they should be designed and who should regulate them. Many are scrambling to catch up with this rapid growth. Find out what you need to know.

Have you sensed a need to upgrade your sports lighting but put it off because of the immensity of the task? It helps to have a game plan for breaking down the project into manageable segments. Updating sports lighting represents a significant upfront capital outlay, with service and maintenance implications extending far into the future as well. Although a lighting project scope may seem overwhelming, recreation departments often face critical needs that cannot be delayed. Addressing the project sequentially can shorten the process and make it more manageable, resulting in good lighting performance within budget guidelines.