As hard as you try to hold onto the clock, you can't stop time, and so here we are—September. September, and I find myself counting the dwindling days of my first half-century.

From popular public parks to upscale fitness clubs, from the local ballfield to a family-friendly aquatic park—no matter what kinds of facilities you've got to manage, problems are bound to arise.

Hellllooo, heat wave! Sitting here in the midst of it (OK, really, it's starting to peter out at this point; yesterday "felt like" 110 degrees), I'm hoping you're all coping as best you can.

Our 15th Annual Salary Survey

Here we track the salary trends and careers of hundreds of respondents who work in myriad roles and facility types, managing recreation, sports and fitness facilities. We break things down and look at everything from raises and pay rates to job satisfaction, education and more.

Founded in 1950, the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) is a professional membership association for certified athletic trainers and others who support the profession. With 45,000 members worldwide, NATA provides opportunities for professional growth through continuing education, improves care through research and the promotion of best practices, advocates for legislation to advance the profession and allows members to network with other athletic trainers worldwide.

YMCAs fill a unique niche, providing a tremendous range of programming, from childcare to learn-to-swim and more. Here, we consider the responses to the Industry Report survey from professionals working for Ys, JCCs, Boys & Girls Clubs and similar facilities.

Health, fitness and sports clubs saw a heavy impact from COVID-19, with its facility closures. This year, responses to the Industry Report survey from health and fitness club professionals are optimistic about the future.

What would school be without the playgrounds of our early years and the Homecoming parades and football games of our teens? In this section of the Industry Report, we examine the responses from professionals working for schools and school districts.

Colleges and universities provide myriad opportunities for every student and staff member to get involved in recreation, as well as supporting athletics with facilities as diverse as competition pools, football arenas, fieldhouses and more. In this section of the Industry Report, we consider the latest trends for respondents at colleges and universities.

Parks have been a respite amidst the pandemic, and many adapted effectively to continue reaching their constituents with passive and active recreation. In this section of the Industry Report, we'll consider how things are beginning to transition back to normal for parks and recreation professionals.