The best playgrounds serve an aesthetic purpose while providing the surrounding community with a much needed center of growth and development for children of all ages.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about aging and curiosity—how as our numbers of years on the planet increase, for many of us, our curiosity and excitement over trying new things (or rediscovering old things) fades away and we become more rigid about what (we think) we like and dislike.

Keeping aquatic facilities running smoothly requires close attention to daily, weekly and other regularly scheduled maintenance practices, as well as knowing when it's time to plan some renovations.

In our annual Salary Survey, based on responses from more than 2,100 professionals in the recreation, sports and fitness industry, we see how salaries are inching up, along with happiness at work.

Playgrounds have come a long way since their inception, with huge advances in safety, as well as increasingly creative solutions that get kids moving and having fun.

Splash play continues to be one of the most popular planned additions at parks across the country. But splashpads have come a long way since their initial introduction, as manufacturers have learned more about how people like to play in water.

The City of Sisters, Ore., wanted to encourage bikers along its trailways to stop in for a bite and enjoy the surrounding community. So, it turned to a restroom and shower building, as well as bike lockers.

To design and develop an effective trail or greenway, you need to start with a proper plan. Community involvement and funding partnerships will help get the project off the ground.

YMCAs, JCCs and Boys & Girls Clubs continue to offer a wide range of opportunities for their members. Here we consider the latest trends in these mostly-nonprofit facilities.

Health, fitness and sports clubs represent a unique segment of the market, more often operating as for-profit facilities that must make ends meet. Here's a look at how things are shaping up for these facilities.