When it came time to upgrade this park that sits amid a range of recreational opportunities, the whole community got involved.

This intracoastal recreational area, accessible by car or boat, was isolated and underused for years, but now, thanks to a complete revitalization, it's a whole new waterfront.

Much of the focus of inclusion efforts in parks and rec, sports and fitness facilities has been placed on physical disabilities, but developmental disabilities are just as common and also may require a unique approach. So how do you ensure everyone can be included?

Advances in engineering and evolving technology have made less conventional structures a viable alternative to brick-and-mortar construction when you want to enclose sports, swimming and other programs.

No matter which sport you're playing, sports fields can take a serious pounding, and most people expect the field to bounce right back for the next game. Staying on top of maintenance requirements is one way to prevent problems.

There's no doubt about it: If you can turn exercise into fun, you're two steps closer to finding exercise that will last for the long haul. And if aquatic facilities provide anything to the visitors who come to splash about, swim and work out, it's fun. Water is just one of many paths to wellness, but it's a powerful one.

We all, at some point in our lives, will feel excluded. And because of this, we all know how bad that feels. But for most of us, the feeling of exclusion is not all that common. It just pops up every once in a while, whether it's showing up for school on Monday to find out everyone else was invited to a birthday party, or it's just a general sense that something is happening somewhere and we're missing out.

Hollie Lynch began working for the National Park Service as a seasonal interpretive park ranger during her junior year of college.

When planning a new restroom facility, there are many questions to answer. First and foremost, figure out what type of solution will work best for your site.

Planning for a new pool or renovation takes time and money. But one of the biggest challenges is ensuring that you don't lose money after it's built.