After Michael Phelps swam his way to a record-breaking medal win in the Summer Olympics, interest in swimming surged among adults and children alike. Learn how aquatic facilities are taking advantage of this interest and rolling out programs to increase involvement.

There are more than 74 million dogs in the United States, and progressive recreation managers recognize this untapped customer base. More dog parks are opening across the country as a result. We take a look at some of the obstacles and the ways to overcome them.

There's a lot more to playground planning and design than meets the eye. When it comes to safety, much thought goes into creating safe equipment, and an equal amount of consideration should be given to keeping them safe once they're in place.

Aiming to get inactive adults and their families into a fitness program, ACAC Downtown creates a retreat from daily pressures, inspiring members to embrace their personal health and the environment.

When it needed a new way to get members in and out of its doors, the Monterey Sports Center turned to an automated solution.

When it comes to fitting in with its surroundings, designers of this new recreation center in Geneva, Ill., knocked the ball out of the park.

As a fitness facility, developing programs specifically for families can provide an opportunity for families to interact in a meaningful, constructive way—either competitively or recreationally.

Parks planning community centers or other projects should consider collaborating with other government entities and private organizations to achieve more.

When it's time to drain the pool, it's important to remember the scarcity of water and the dangers of polluting and take measures to conserve.

Splash play areas are far more than just sprinklers for kids of all ages. With careful planning, you can be certain that kids of all ages will benefit from this popular park addition.

Skateboarding has been growing its acceptability over time—and cities are helping build that cachet as they build skateparks. Find out what you need to know to get your project rolling.

Synthetic and natural turf both come with their pros and cons, but one thing remains constant: Both require specific types of maintenance. We take a look at some of the overarching requirements, as well as current trends in turf.

Reaching teens, tweens and younger kids with programming to inspire a healthy future can be a challenge. This month, we look at some successful programs from across the country.

Though LEED-Gold certification wasn't the goal when this facility was planned, careful consideration of the environment led to success—and an outstanding facility.

When you're friendly to the environment, you're also friendly to your bottom line. When you green up your restroom and locker room components, you improve your facility's value.

When it comes to getting women involved in weight-training for fitness, there are obstacles to overcome.

When it comes to operating an aquatic center on the cutting edge, ensuring great customer service is one key to pleasing the public.

Got water? Whether it's a river, a lakefront or an oceanfront beach, you can maximize your waterfront's ability to draw in the public from both near and far.

Every year, the American Council on Exercise takes a look at the major trends it expects to impact fitness equipment and programs. We take a look at some top trends, and ask the experts to weigh in.

Facilities across the country are looking at innovative ways to get kids of all ages out to enjoy nature. From a 4-H Camp for older adults to programs to encourage women to get outside, we consider some impressive successes.

In times like these, cutting operating expenses should be every facility manager's objective. But even in times of economic stability, it always pays to examine operating expenses to eliminate waste and reallocate resources to enhance the public's enjoyment of your facilities.

After two hurricanes wreaked havoc on this beautiful city's parks, there was a need to rebuild. But at the same time parks were being brought back to a usable state, the city adapted an approach that encouraged the use of shade structures to protect children—and investments—from the sun's damaging rays.

The new addition at the University of California, Santa Barbara's Recreation Complex fits nicely into its surroundings, giving patrons a beautiful view from both inside and out.

When this YMCA's fitness flooring started to wear out, it looked for a solution that was easy to clean and sound-absorbing to keep the first floor from hearing every detail of the workouts going on above.

When you want to design a greener facility, it's critical to get the entire team behind the effort from the beginning of the planning process.

When it comes to playground safety, many will argue that taller is not better. But it's important to remember that climbing to a challenging height offers a beautiful view—as well as other benefits—to kids.

A Texas facility director was faced with a Crypto outbreak raging through the county, but took heart in smart practices to prevent problems at her own facility. Read her story to learn how you can survive an outbreak in your area.

Why have so many Illinois parks won the gold award from the National Recreation & Park Association? One expert takes a look at how the organizational structure and autonomy of the agencies may have an impact.

As more and more parks and recreation facilities add splash play elements, the designs of these fun-in-the-sun elements get ever more innovative. We take a look at how this cool trend is heating up.

The benefits of recreation, fitness and sports facilities are myriad, but not everyone has easy access to those benefits. This month, we offer up three great examples from California to show how you can reach out to these underserved areas.

Climbing may attract a specific niche of recreation fans to your facility, but there are ways to ensure that niche is as wide as possible. We consider the basics of indoor climbing: who you should be targeting and what kinds of walls work.

When Canada geese and ring-billed gulls became a problem at Chicago's beaches on Lake Michigan, the park district took a multi-pronged approach to clean things up.

When a recreation programmer in Keene needed a program he could implement quickly and economically to combat childhood obesity in his part of the state, he turned to the tried-and-true CATCH Kids Club.

In the fun and excitement of considering the latest bells and whistles, proper attention to one of the recreation center's most important features—the control desk—is sometimes overlooked.

As multipurpose facility flooring must combat never-ending traffic and provide adequate support, it is imperative for specifiers to understand the need for a high-performance solution adaptable to multiple activities.

Experts from Skaters for Public Skateparks offer advice and tips on getting the site right.

Learn how to turn daily interactions between lifeguards and aquatic facility managers into learning experiences that can drastically reduce the need for in-service training during non-working hours.

Locker rooms have seen a lot of changes over the years. No longer is the sweaty-smelling, messy area acceptable. Today's locker rooms focus on comfort and meeting society's ever-evolving needs.

After careful consideration, we've selected the winners of our seventh annual design awards competition. We're proud to showcase those facilities here, from renovated aquatic centers to natural play areas, college and community recreation centers and more. Read on to see how these cutting-edge projects raise the bar for recreation, sports and fitness facility design across America.

Winners

Trinity River Audubon Center
Jester Park Natural Playscape
Shoreline Parks
Student Recreation &Amp; Wellness Center, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Innisfil Recreation Complex
View Ridge Swim & Tennis Club
Recreation Center, Eastern Washington University
Kress Events Center, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
The Northside Aztlan Community Center
Urban Active Fitness at Taylorsville Road

Editor's Choice Winner

Eielson Air Force Base Fitness Center

Highlights
We are also pleased to showcase the following facilities that were submitted and sponsored by the firm that entered them:

South Dakota State University Wellness Center
Claude Moore Recreation Center
Wright State University Recreation/Student Union
Villasport Athletic Club & Spa
wartburg-waverly sports & wellness center
Altoona Campus - Multiphase Expansion
Student Recreation Center, Montclair State University
Hershey Centre Sports Complex
Pinedale Aquatic Center
Chapman University, Erin J. Lastinger Athletics Complex
Erie Community Center
Payson City Aquatic Center
Washington Sports Club, Columbia Heights
Gladstone Community Center
Macalester College, Leonard Center Athletic &Amp; Wellness Complex
Kalahari Indoor Theme Park
South Davis Recreation Center

When deciding which company is best suited for a field project, many face the choice of working through a general contractor who hires subcontractors, or working directly with a field builder who handles the entire job.

Facing not-uncommon budget constraints, public park and recreation leaders might wish to consider a phased approach to creating an aquatics facility that offers some amenities sooner, with more offerings to come online later, as resources permit.

Proposed rule changes in the ADA law will impact who can swim—and where. Learn more to understand how your facility will be effected—and how ensuring accessibility is always a smart move.

We asked more than 2,000 professionals from across the industry about their experience with facility operations, staffing, programming, building and much more. Here, we summarize the results from all facility types.

Breaking things down by region, this section takes a look at trends in facilities across the country. Learn where facility directors are anticipating growing usage and revenues, and where the recession is having a stronger impact.

In this section focused on aquatic facilities, we consider how pools, splash play areas and waterparks are doing in 2009. This year, we learn that many are still planning more play elements, but also that efficiency is a top concern.

Parks and recreation departments help build our communities, connecting people with opportunities for recreation, sports, fitness, education and more. Read on to learn more about the major trends impacting the field.

Colleges and universities across the country offer sports and recreational fun as a way to get students interested in attending and to keep them healthy once they're there. Here we look at the major trends in campus recreation.

At schools across the country, the problem of childhood obesity is still a major concern, but the impact of a down economy is even stronger. This section of the report explores the trends in sports, recreation and fitness among schools.

Health and fitness clubs are feeling the pinch, but they are adjusting rapidly to ensure their own recovery. Find out what trends are impacting the health club market.

While many of the trends occurring in YMCAs and similar facilities mirror what's taking place in health clubs, these facility managers still see much higher spending and revenues, as well as a greater focus on families.

New to our coverage this year, this section takes a look at the trends impacting these outdoor-focused facilities.

Representing the second annual glimpse behind the scenes of recreation, sports and fitness facility careers, this report takes a look at the salary and related information collected in our annual State of the Industry Report survey.

When it comes to playgrounds, there are several movements afoot: one brings more natural elements to the playspace, another ensures kids get the right amount of exercise, and a third is meant to provide play for everyone—no matter their economic background or physical abilities.

Aquatic facility managers have plenty of risk to contend with. Preventing drowning is a basic first, but there are also unseen threats such as recreational water illnesses. Making sure patrons are safe is an essential part of the job.

Keeping patrons cool as they're working out goes a long way toward ensuring they'll want to keep coming back for more. Here's how one fitness facility cools exercisers off year-round without breaking the bank.

Whether or not you know exactly what is meant by "shovel-ready," this guide to the design and planning process will be helpful in tracking your own projects.

Want a successful concession? Never underestimate the power of a brand. Customers will flock to familiar names and menu items, and it might be easier than you think.

An often-overlooked aspect of running a successful recreation facility, customer service is essential. Here are some ideas to help you get your staff on the right foot.

You know you need to pay careful attention to managing risk at your facility, but do you know how to go about getting that critical job done? We talked to risk management experts in the recreation, sports and fitness industry and collected their advice on getting your risk management effort off the ground safely.

Welcome to our annual Q&A Guidebook. Packed with scores of ideas, this reference tool was designed to help you tackle your most persistent and universal challenges, covering all the big basic questions. Consider it an industry guidebook of sorts, chock full of straightforward problem-solving tips.

Do you use liability waivers and other forms as part of your programming? Here's a quick guide to understanding what they do—and don't—cover.

When the recession first hit, it seemed the "staycation" trend would keep waterparks swimming along, but as budgets have tightened, waterparks have been forced to tighten their operations and come up with creative new approaches to draw in more revelers.

From pre-engineered vault restrooms buildings to more complex structures, parks need a place for families to take a "time out" from recreation. This month, we explore the latest trends in restroom structures and suggest solutions to fit all your needs.

You don't have to be a tree-hugger to understand the benefits of green design. Whether it's saving energy, saving water, saving your patrons' health or saving the earth, eco-friendly design solutions just make good sense.

This powerful program that teaches kids to play squash while encouraging them to push further in their studies now has a home.

When Martha Shannen Reid's family and friends wanted to create a memorial, they got plenty of help from local resources. Now they have a place to remember.

With the onslaught of baby boomers reaching retirement age, clubs that target exercise programs for this age group can have a big impact on members' wellness, while attracting new members. Placing an emphasis on functional fitness is one step to success.

When you're looking to power your facility in a more cost-effective, eco-friendlier manner, solar power might be a great option. Here's a quick look at some of the things you should consider before making the switch.

The economy is taking a heavy toll on facilities of all types, and many pools have been shut down. In this column, the NSPF offers a look at some resources that can help your facility sail more smoothly.

From picnic shelters to gazebos, pergolas, shade structures and more, there are plenty of ways to help your patrons get a little protection from the elements. This month, we look at the latest trends and what you should consider for your site.

More and more people—kids and adults—are taking to the field or court to play a sport. You can keep up by offering newfangled and fun activities that are seeing growing participation.

Many gains have been made in making sports and recreation more accessible to those with disabilities, but experts say more work needs to be done.

When designing trails, you need to consider seasonal demands, locations and purposes—one size cannot fit all. And it doesn't have to. A wide variety of approaches have been taken to create trails and greenways with mass appeal.

The concession stand can be a nuisance—or it can generate profits for your facility. This month, we consider some tried and true tactics to make it a little easier to run your concession and profit from it.

Looking for some smart ideas to program your pool? Check out the activities offered at this Connecticut facility, which range from simple lap swimming to exercise equipment under the water.

When Emerson Elementary School's playground was sending kids in from recess with splinters, the school needed a solution. Creative partnerships with the city of La Crosse led to a green and safe place for kids to play.

When guests are looking for a splashing good time, they head to Wilderness at the Smokies, which has a wide range of water rides and amenities to please patrons.

When your facility is being designed, don't forget the importance of the first impression. Lobby spaces set the tone, provide a central control point, offer a community gathering place and, ultimately, help establish your facility's identity.

We need to reverse the obesity trend for our children's' sake, and the solution is literally "in our backyard"—in the parks, playgrounds, programs and other outdoor recreational programs offered through recreation, sports and fitness facilities.

A recent survey of recreational water facility directors yielded plenty of advice to help them work more closely with inspectors and keep their facilities in top condition, water-quality-wise.

If your facility's restrooms and locker rooms are ready for an upgrade, you should consider ways you can use that renovation to improve your facility's eco-friendliness.

Award-winning landscape designs for parks across the country encompass a wide range of goals. Parks have always been about people, but they increasingly are incorporating an awareness of the value of the ecology of their surroundings, enmeshing cultural and ecological goals.

When it comes to keeping score, you need to start with what you can afford, but you also should be aware of the latest trends and top sellers in the scoreboard market.

To ensure your players and the viewing public are getting the most out of their experience, you'll need to pay close attention to your sound and lighting. In this case, one size does not fit all.

It's impossible to truly provide something for everyone who will walk into your fitness center, but with careful planning, you can figure out which users are most likely to frequent your facility, and ensure you've got what they're looking for to keep them fit now and in the future.

When this student fitness facility wanted to upgrade its equipment, it turned to a service provider that would keep things in working order for years to come.

At this state-of-the-art facility, safety by the pool and in the locker rooms was a primary concern. An aesthetically pleasing solution provides a no-slip grip for patrons' feet in these wet areas.

When you're planning your budget for a new facility, or for an addition or renovations, there's more to the process than meets the eye. Be sure you know exactly how much you'll need by paying attention to all of the finer details.

If you don't have a skatepark, then your whole community is a skatepark. But before you plan and build your first spot for skaters, be sure you listen to this advice from one of the top skatepark builders. Getting it done right will ensure skaters will be using the spot for a long time.

When you want to tempt teens out from behind the videogame screen, be sure to offer some excitement. Surfing simulators at waterparks across the country are one way to reach this difficult demographic.