Trust for Public Land is celebrating its 50th anniversary by embarking on a year of community investments and impact.

A new collaborative community will unite public leaders, advocates and professionals to advance the development of trails and other active-transportation networks across the United States. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) launched the initiative, which the organization says will fill an unmet need for peer learning and collective action.

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance recently reviewed the achievements of its Step Into Swim program for 2022, announcing that the program raised $750,000 and funded swim lessons for more than 23,000 children. The water safety initiative continues to raise awareness for drowning prevention and the lifesaving skill of learning how to swim.

A new participation report from the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) shows that America’s fastest-growing sport has enjoyed even higher growth than previously thought, with 14% of adult Americans (36.5 million people) playing pickleball at least once in the 12-month period between August 2021 and August 2022.

Now in its 17th year, the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual international survey found that technology continues to have a strong impact on the fitness industry, so it’s no surprise that more than 4,500 health and fitness pros surveyed named wearables as the No. 1 trend for 2023.

A new report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) reveals that while participation in teams sports is increasing, numbers have not quite returned to pre-pandemic levels.

With 21 clubs across the U.S. already receiving support, USA Swimming announced that additional programs are now eligible to receive $5,000 grants through the Community Impact Grant program.

The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the national organization for builders and suppliers of materials for athletic facilities, has announced the winners of its annual awards. Awards are presented each year to facilities built by ASBA members, which best exemplify construction excellence.

The National Recreation and Park Association recently announced its first-ever Changing Nature of Work Award winner. The annual award recognizes an individual or team that has responded to natural disasters with a spirit of teamwork, community and perseverance to clean up, rebuild their park for usable enjoyment, and to support and advance resilience and well-being for their community.

As the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, the state of youth sports for children and teens has changed, with greater appreciation by parents and policymakers for the physical and mental health benefits of staying active.

In 2022, splash play was the most commonly planned addition for parks and recreation respondents to the Industry Report survey.

Nearly half (44.5%) of respondents to the Industry Report survey in 2022 said that they currently include walking and hiking trails at their facilities.

Some audiences tend to be left out when it comes to learn-to-swim opportunities, with economic as well as racial disparities having a heavy impact on who does and does not learn to swim. The Aquatic Trends Report found that the number of respondents providing outreach programs to these audiences has fallen slightly.

Mind-body balance programs like yoga and tai chi were the most commonly planned program among respondents to Recreation Management’s 2022 Industry Report survey.

The only type of programming offered by more health club respondents to the Industry Report survey in 2022 than in 2021 was functional fitness.

Ys, schools and parks are generally the most likely to provide sports programming of any kind, according to Recreation Management’s State of the Industry Report.