Drawn to the Water

Developing Waterfront Recreation Destinations
Communities that have a waterfront, whether it’s a natural lake, river or oceanfront, or it’s a manmade feature like an old quarry, have the opportunity to create a recreation destination like no other. From riverwalks and whitewater parks to inflatable obstacle courses, marinas and docks, and beyond, the options are varied enough to make each park unique.

Changing Places, Changing Spaces

New Designs in Rec, Sports & Fitness Locker Rooms
No longer the dingy, sweaty spaces of yesteryear, modern-day locker rooms offer a comfortable and pleasing aesthetic, providing a place to store things, change, relax and get cleaned up before and after a dip in the pool, a group exercise class or a pickup game of basketball. 

Off to the Races

Expand Beyond Swim Lessons to Swim Team Programs
When you want to expand your aquatic programming beyond the learn-to-swim and water safety basics, adding swim teams and water sports like water polo is a smart way to expand on what you already offer. Here, we take a look at some of the challenges and best practices in offering competitive opportunities at your pool.  

According to Plan

Planning for New & Redeveloped Park Spaces 
Creating new park spaces, and redeveloping older parks, requires attention to detail, and partnerships with savvy designers, community stakeholders and more.
 

Kids on the Move

Designing Play Spaces to Encourage Physical Activity
Playgrounds come in all shapes and sizes, and do a good job of getting kids moving. Adding features like climbing boulders, obstacle courses and even exercise equipment nearby can help ensure everyone has a chance to stretch their physical limits.
 

Comfort Zone

Site Furnishings Help Meet Many Needs
Furnishing a park isn’t simply a matter of picking out some benches and receptacles and plunking them down. Careful consideration of the park’s typical users and uses can help inform your choice for picnic areas, seating, entry points and more.

inPERSPECTIVE / AQUATICS: Outdoor Aquatic Recreation: Balancing Innovation, Sustainability & Community Impact

Large-scale outdoor aquatic recreation sites are best planned in partnership with experienced engineering teams.

inPERSPECTIVE / KIDS FITNESS: Kids Are the Future of Fitness

We all know the importance of getting kids moving and interested in keeping fit. How can we encourage young people to get involved in their own wellness?

inPRACTICE / ART IN PARKS: The Family Pavilion at Sugar Sand Park, Boca Raton, Fla.

A new mural engages park visitors with the ecosystem that surrounds them.

inSERVICE: Celebrate the Multi-Faceted Nature of America’s State Parks

Promoting and advancing the state park systems of America, the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) celebrates the parks’ contributions.

The Health & Fitness Industry’s Role in Fighting Obesity

President and CEO of the American Council on Exercise Cedric X. Bryant brings us up to date on the latest data and progress on obesity as a chronic disease.

Closer to the Action

The Baltimore Ravens recently worked to expand VIP seating capacity at M&T Bank Stadium, bringing fans closer to the action. 

Notes of Spring

From robins and sandhill cranes to the steady patter of rain on the roof, spring is singing.

A Place for Everything

In this issue, you’ll find feature stories looking at park planning, as well as playgrounds that get kids—and indeed, people of all ages—more active. 

Pool & Aquatic Equipment

New Product Ideas