Shelters and shade structures not only provide patrons with a little respite from the blazing sun or bad weather, they can also create a unique focal point for a site, providing a beautiful aesthetic or highlighting a lovely view.

Whether you want a wet and wild adventure or you just want to chill, waterparks and splash play areas offer a tremendous range of opportunities for fun, action, adventure and relaxation on, in or near the water. And with this tremendous range of variability—in rides and attractions, in ways of managing water, in programming and marketing opportunities—come the usual challenges and innovations around keeping things running successfully.

What are the things that matter most, in terms of sustaining a cohesive culture and an engaged community? How do we foster connections between people of different—or even similar—backgrounds, ages, genders, races, economic strata, etc., in an age of smartphones and technological saturation?

Here, industry experts share their thoughts on the best practices in waterpark safety and resource management, as well as lifeguarding trends.

Recreational water illnesses are a real threat to swimmers, and to the facilities that must combat them. Chlorine is your essential tool in keeping the nasties out of your pool.

After the city of Blue Springs, Mo., purchased a building in late 2014 to renovate and transform into a state-of-the-art recreational fieldhouse, one of the top goals was to install new flooring.

You can build a swimming pool for your guests, and it will surely be used for fun and recreation, and maybe even exercise, but the vast majority of respondents to our survey report that they do a little something more to get people into the pool by providing a variety of programs.

The Trust for Public Land recently released its seventh annual ParkScore Index, ranking park systems in the 100 largest U.S. cities. For the third straight year, Minneapolis has taken top honors.

After this Ontario town got a generous land donation, community members saw an opportunity to add the area’s first outdoor gym.

Effective fitness facilities are carefully planned and thought out. Here are some tips to making the most of your space, whether you’re a small boutique club or a large fitness center.