The regulations affecting pools can vary widely from one locale to another. With the introduction of the Model Aquatic Health Code, the CDC and partners aim to enable more standardization in pool rules.

While dogs are the common thread that draw users to the dog park, you want to design the space with people in mind. Offering amenities that make it more fun for dog's best friend will take your dog park up a notch.

Are you wondering whether you should be tweeting? Want to know how important Facebook is to your mission? We've got some guidance to help you wade through the social media marketing landscape.

One of the first parks in Watsonville, Calif., Callaghan Park had deteriorated over the years. But thanks to a project to re-create the space, the park is now a shining example of site design done right.

Budgets and other issues can make it more challenging to create positive public outlets for skateboarding, but communities still recognize that skateparks are an important offering. Learn about how skateparks are evolving.

Budgets continue to be tight, but that doesn't mean you have to reduce your pool's offerings—or worse, close it entirely. Finding new ways to reduce operating costs might be a smart move.

Regardless of the positive experiences that can be found by participating in intramural sports, female and minority participation remains relatively low. Learn how to change your approach to have an impact on participation.

Action sports—from skateboarding to BMX-biking and more—have been increasingly adopted across the country. Building a park to accommodate action sports athletes is a smart move.

Synthetic turf fields have seen a rise in popularity over the past decade. At the same time, synthetic turf fields are beginning to need replacing. Growing environmental awareness and fiscal responsibility combine to make recycling a smart option.

Careful design and proper ongoing practices are key to ensure your fitness facility is in top condition.

Searching for a way to bring color to the lives of seniors in this facility, one clever program director turned to a creative solution.

A unique building solution allows this facility to offer sports training year-round.

Graduate assistantships offer one step toward a career in recreation and sport. Here, our experts present a persuasive argument for more standardization to help students get ahead.

Loose-fill surfacing, especially wood mulch, is very popular, largely due to its lower initial cost. But if you're employing such a solution at your playground, you need to be aware of the impact winter's deep freeze can have on safety.

Fitness facilities are increasingly offering programs focused on specific audiences, from sitting workouts for older adults to game-centric workouts focused on teens.

No matter how carefully a playground is designed, children will still fall and can potentially get hurt. Close attention to safety standards, especially the surface beneath the equipment, will help keep kids safer.

With the increasing focus on obesity and other health issues, a community garden offers a perfect way to teach about healthy nutrition and activity. It also provides an outlet for other community events.

More and more communities and agencies are going green. This includes adopting more sustainable grounds maintenance practices.

In Angel Fire, N.M., a new synthetic turf sports complex has become a hub of recreational activity for kids and adults.

The most successful student activity center designs are those that take demographics into account. Every campus and every project will be different. Embracing these differences leads to effective designs.

As splash play areas have become a must-have for parks across the country, designers are coming up with new ways to conserve resources, and reuse water.

This past winter has been striking for its lack, or near lack, of snow in many areas. Learn how this affects your ballfields, and what you need to do to get them ready for the players to take to the field.

Whether you've already got a sprayground or you're looking to add a little water fun to your facilities, this feature will help you understand these popular amenities better, providing guidance from those who've gone before.

Once relegated to climbing gyms, climbing walls have seen a lot of growth into recreational facilities in cities and on campuses across the country.

While many camps were hard hit when the economy took a dive, those that pay close attention to critical factors like retention and parental involvement have recovered quickly.

In addition to greener buildings, LEED-certified facilities also focus on greening the way they are kept in top condition. This means close attention to how the facility is kept clean.

Located next to a Boys & Girls Club and a popular children's museum, this new park and playground takes imagination to new heights.

If you're looking to grow interest in the sport of tennis, look no further than your tennis court surfaces, which can have a huge impact on player comfort.

Explore how the University of Alabama has succeeded in adding a student center, and how that success is leading to other successes at the school.

Concussions have been on the receiving end of greater awareness over the past several years, particularly at the professional levels of sports. Understanding and preventing concussions among younger players is just as crucial.

Locker rooms are increasingly being updated to follow new trends, from more durable and aesthetically pleasing materials to designs that offer a space for women, men and families.

This year marks a decade's worth of Innovative Architecture & Design Awards competition. We're proud to showcase the winning facilities here, as well as highlights from the award entries. Read on to see how these cutting-edge projects raise the bar for recreation, sports and fitness facility design across America.

Winners

University of South Dakota Wellness Center
Illinois State University Fitness Center & McCormick Hall
Hammonasset Beach State Park Visitor's Center
Central Park Recreation Center
Ithaca College Athletics & Events Center
Cordish Family Pavilion, Lenz Tennis Center, Princeton University
University of Florida Southwest Recreation Center
Colorado State University Student Recreation Center

Editor's Choice Winner

Lynnwood Recreation Center

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

The Multiplex
Beckerman Athletic Center, Hamden Hall Country Day School
Lindenwood University Evans Commons
Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Community Center
The Center for Athletics, Recreation & Fitness, Gettysburg College
Morehead State University Recreation & Wellness Center
Northern Arizona University Health & Learning Center
Clarence-Rockland Arena
Smith Aquatic & Fitness Center
Fruita Community Recreation Center & Library

Calcium phosphate scale is a new problem that has been creeping into the swimming pool industry. Learn more about how to tell if it's a problem for your pool, and what you can do to prevent the damage it causes.

It can be difficult to stay on top of all the requirements for accessible play. This handy guide from IPEMA covers all the ADA bases to be sure you get it done right.

Outdoor fitness equipment is a perfect gateway to wellness for those who've never tried working out with equipment before. Providing such amenities helps draw people into an active lifestyle.

More than 2,000 professionals responded to our call for information about their facility operations. Here, we summarize their responses, including current trends in operations, staffing, programming, construction and much more.

This section breaks survey results down according to region, taking a look at trends in facilities across the country. Learn how facilities in different regions differ.

From simple spraygrounds to complex waterparks and everything in between, aquatic facilities stand apart from other types of recreation facilities. This section looks at the trends in facilities that include pools, splash play, waterparks and spas.

Parks and recreation organizations continue to recover following the downturn, and have a positive outlook over the next couple of years. Find out the trends affecting parks and recreation,

Colleges and universities continue to build recreation and wellness centers that aim to attract and retain students. This section looks at the latest trends in campus recreation.

Schools and school districts continue to struggle in the wake of the economic downturn. Find out the trends affecting these facilities, and the outlook for the next couple of years.

This section summarizes the survey results from health, fitness and sports clubs, including new trends in programming and a positive outlook on membership numbers.

Nonprofit facilities such as YMCAs, JCCs and Boys & Girls Clubs continue to offer a wide range of amenities and programming. Learn which trends are taking hold at these facilities.

The design of fitness and multipurpose facilities has come a long way, from the plain, stark boxes of the past to beautiful buildings filled with natural light and activities of all kinds. Find out more about this evolution in design.

Programming trends come and go, but there will always be tried-and-true ways to please your patrons. It starts with finding out what they want, and then tailoring your offerings to meet their needs.

Aquatic safety is an imperative job for aquatic facility managers—not to be overlooked. Learn about the latest trends in safety and aquatic management.

No longer the simple structures of the past, playgrounds can help establish a sense of place and more, all while encouraging kids to get active.

We surveyed more than 2,000 recreation, sports and fitness facility management professionals to uncover the latest salary data and career trends.

When it comes to marking places, wayfinding and more, signs are a crucial tool. Finding signs that can withstand abuse and harsh environments can help reduce maintenance.

No one wants to see piles of dog waste along their favorite trail or as they picnic in the park. A new system is helping many parks and municipalities handle the unsightly waste—in an eco-friendly way.

Play experts have been learning a lot about all the positive effects playtime can have for children—mentally, emotionally and physically.

The master plan for Valley View Park in West Des Moines, Iowa, is the culmination of an extensive public involvement process, investigation and evaluation of historic site conditions and a balanced approach to park development that incorporates human needs and environmental considerations.

It's important to protect your patrons by ensuring the safest possible environment for their recreational, sports and fitness activities. But you also have to protect your facility from potential legal problems.

Welcome to our annual Problem-Solver Idea Book. 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.

Waterparks continually update their offerings in order to stay ahead of the competition and to keep attracting repeat visits. Learn more about all the newest ways to keep patrons coming back for more.

They might not be the most talked-about amenity, but people will judge your park or site based on their experience using restrooms. Keep them happy by ensuring safety, accessibility, durability and eco-friendliness.

Brownfields offer a near-perfect option for many landlocked areas looking to expand recreational offerings. Find out more about how the redevelopment process works.

If you want a gymnasium that doesn't overload your maintenance staff, begin with the right design. Green strategies can help reduce long-term costs and maintenance requirements.

With the help of good neighbors and several government agencies, a former prison site has been transformed into a beautiful amenity for the local community.

The ideal community recreation facility is a civic landmark and a point of hometown pride. Getting to that result requires a careful design process.

Keep your concession stand ahead of the competition by staying on top of the latest trends in tasty treats.

The NSPF Step Into Swim campaign is working to increase the number of swimmers by funding existing programs that teach people to love the water.

Parks, pools, and sports and recreation facilities rely on shelters and shade structures to provide sun protection, as well as an aesthetic kick for their facilities.

Many parks are turning to sustainable landscaping, which helps keep operating costs down while adhering to a green mission.

LED technology has changed how scoreboards and field lighting bring the viewing experience to spectators. Learn more about these innovations.

Synthetic turf fields are a great solution for reducing maintenance requirements, while extending the hours of play available for sports fields of all kinds, from the usual football and soccer to baseball and more.

A community gets a spanking new waterpark, complete with exciting and colorful waterslide rides that are among the first of their kind.

In Atlanta, Ga., a design contest yielded a unique themed playground that amplifies the city's character.

This new park and pool in Tacoma, Wash., provides myriad opportunities for fun in water or on land for community members.

The NSPF Step Into Swim campaign is working to increase the number of swimmers by funding existing programs that teach people to love the water.

The demographic shift occurring as the population of active agers expands means you need to change up your fitness offerings or be left behind.

Many family entertainment centers sit empty during school hours. By adding childcare services, you can grow your revenue while ensuring your facility is full of fun-loving kids.

From fitness and nature to imaginative play, playgrounds continue to incorporate design elements that get kids moving and having fun.

Fitness clubs can really reach members by offering niche programming that addresses specific needs. From personal training groups to age-specific exercise programs, there's a niche for everyone.

Access Board guidelines for swimming pools have been in the news for the past couple of years. But pools aren't the only facilities that need to pay attention to accessibility.

Spraygrounds continue to give community members a chance to get their feet wet without sinking resources into a full-blown aquatic center. Find out what makes for a successful splash play area.

When the time came to move to a new boathouse, an association of rowing enthusiasts found a solution that expanded space to meet the needs of a diverse community.

When budgets get tight, facility owners need to do more with less. Creating multi-use facilities that incorporate design elements that help keep operating costs down can help.

Energy costs continue to rise, which means you need to find new solutions to heat your pool for less.