The population of black bears has been on the rise in recent years, as well as grizzly bears in Montana and Wyoming—which is good news for conservation efforts, but not so great for parks and campgrounds that have to deal with the mess bears leave behind after digging through waste receptacles.

Dog parks have been increasingly popping up in communities across the country. Along with fencing and site amenities, adding agility equipment, doggie water fountains and more can make a huge difference in how attractive your dog park is to people and their pets.

Many of you may have heard reports in the news about a "chlorine shortage" this year. While this is true, it doesn't apply to the type of chlorine typically used in our public pools.

Outfitting a gymnasium can be a surprisingly complex task, from selecting the right flooring to choosing sports equipment and protecting gym users with padding. There's a wide range of product options for any sport you want to include, and it's important that you select the options that best meet your needs.

Whether along a waterfront or crossing a wetland, many parks and recreation areas rely on wooden boardwalks to help people experience their sites more fully. But maintaining wooden boardwalks can be problematic—especially in areas where salty sea air or constant exposure to moisture leads to faster deterioration time.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic led to lockdowns beginning in March 2020, facilities in the United States have faced unprecedented changes, with widespread facility closures followed by tentative reopenings with social distancing and other safety measures in place.

When it comes to sports lighting, more and more facilities of all sizes are transitioning to systems that use the LED light source. The ability to retrofit by installing new lighting on existing poles is one way to make it more cost effective for parks, recreation and sports organizations to upgrade their facilities.

Over the course of the pandemic, thousands of Americans turned to local parks and other outdoor sites for exercise, as well as for a place to socialize safely. With so much increased use of parks over the past year, now is a good time to consider some upgrades.

Playgrounds, outdoor fitness spaces and recreation areas are places where communities go to play, socialize and develop important skills that transcend the space. To get everyone outdoors, it's vital we design spaces that are appealing, accessible, fun and tap into our inherent need for movement and adventure.

Aquatic play and splash pads have exploded in popularity over the past decade. You might be looking to jump on this trend, but what if you have a smaller space, a tighter budget or other constraints?