High school sports participation hit an all-time record for the 2023-24 school year, reaching more than 8 million for the first time ever. The NFHS

More than nine out of 10 (92.3%) school respondents said they currently offer programming of some kind at their facilities, down from 97% in 2023 and

If you’re an aquatic facility manager, budgetary concerns and staffing challenges are just the tip of the iceberg of tasks you juggle on a day-to-day

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) is proud to award five rural communities – from New England and the mid-Atlantic to Appalachia and Alaska – with

As the first bell of the school year rings, a new wave of excitement and independence washes over students. With this freedom comes increased risks.

Trust for Public Land today released groundbreaking new research that synthesizes key risk factors associated with green gentrification. The report,

The Department of the Interior’s National Park Service released a new report that finds visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2023

River Club Glen Arbor (RCGA) with 400 feet of riverfront footage on Crystal Rivers in northern Michigan,

California Sports Surfaces (CSS), a division of ICP Group, was recognized as an industry leader in sustainable surfaces by the 

EP Climbing proudly played a significant role in the 2024 Paris Olympics, designing and building the climbing walls at the Le Bourget Climbing Venue

The 60th annual Bobcat North Dakota Open again brought

Watchfire, the official and exclusive scoreboard and videoboard manufacturer of the NFHS, supports the NFHS (National Federation of State High School

ASV, an industry-leading brand of all-purpose and all-season compact track loaders and skid steers, introduces the new

Cleveland State University’s Campus Recreation Center has an exciting new sustainability effort in place and it is thanks to several of its

It is with deep condolences that Gerflor USA announces the passing of Henry Vollant, distinguished leader whose visionary leadership and dedication

Werk-Brau introduces the FHX66 Defender Forestry Mulcher, a robust mulcher for standard flow skid steers and track loaders. Engineered to perform,

Developers and manufacturers of modern fitness equipment, in concert with trail and park designers, have taken the essential elements of indoor

Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. W. Gregory Steube (R-Fla.) introduced H.R. 9298, a groundbreaking piece of legislation designed to enhance water safety

A majority of aquatic respondents to the Industry Report survey (79.9%) said they currently offer learn-to-swim programs for children. And nearly six

The Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota released its annual Women in College Coaching Report Card

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), in collaboration with the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship and the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor

National League of Cities (NLC) selects 12 U.S. municipalities to participate in the second round of its

The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) has released its second of three

KemperSports, a leader in sports, entertainment, and hospitality, has partnered with the City of Henderson, NV, to build and operate The West

Gold Medal Products Co., the leader in concession equipment and supplies, announced the launch of four fresh and innovative cotton candy bag designs

Ignite Attachments, a breakthrough manufacturer of compact equipment attachments, adds to its growing

Landmark Aquatic, the nation's leading provider of comprehensive commercial pool services, announced the strategic acquisition of Commercial Pool

Whether you’re looking to transform your old pool, with its rough, cracked surface and leaky pipes, or you want to ensure your new pool is built to

Nearly $47 million in funding through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program will go to the redevelopment or creation of 10 local

There was very little change from 2023 to 2024 in the number of park respondents who report that they have plans for construction over the next

Our annual Industry Report survey has shown for many years that the vast majority of professionals working in recreation, sports and fitness facility

According to climate experts, as the climate crisis accelerates, natural disasters will be more frequent and severe. In 2023, the U.S. experienced 28

Problem:We’d love to install splash pads in several communities across our park system, but we want to ensure the water is treated and recirculated

Is your swimming pool losing visitors to more exciting options that offer more ways for patrons to play? If so, it’s time to think about how you

Problem: Swimming pools rely on sanitization systems—usually employing chlorine—to maintain clear and healthy water for swimming. But in recent

Indoor pools often suffer from issues with indoor air quality. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when you smell “

Water balance is a crucial part of pool maintenance. Without it, your pool water could corrode metal, be so cloudy you can’t see through it, or, most

Maintaining proper water balance to ensure your pool’s water is clear and safe for swimming is an important job. Clear, properly treated pool water

A lot of aging aquatic facilities might still be attracting plenty of guests to the pool, but are home to outdated kiddie pools. These smaller,

Whether you’re looking to transform your old pool, with its rough, cracked surface and leaky pipes, or you want to ensure your new pool is built to

Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis announced the distribution of $325 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Stateside

Maintaining clean pool surfaces can help prevent any harm resulting from debris on the pool floor or floating on pool water, and also helps lessen

By Lance Timmons and Jonathan NiesProblem:Pools constructed before the 1980s are now reaching the end of their functional lives, where

Commercial swimming pools serve diverse needs, from competitive swimming to recreational use, requiring efficient and safe infrastructure. Lane line

Pool covers are an important tool, reducing energy and resource loss from evaporation when pools are not in use. But proper care is required to

Splash pads have been among the most commonly planned park additions for more than a decade. But for those whose splash pads are five years old or

Problem:The deck area surrounding our swimming pool has cracks and chips, and the paint is peeling. We need a new deck that will provide long-term

Conserving energy—along with resources like pool chemicals—is an important mission for many aquatic facility directors, and it can also help reduce

One of the top challenges for parks, recreation, sports and aquatic programs is finding space, indoors and out. Outdoor spaces are challenged by the

Well-maintained, safe, and comfortable restrooms are an important amenity within your park, providing comfort and convenience for park visitors, as

As you are considering how best to lay out your park, don’t forget to prioritize one of the most essential elements of your park’s ability to create

Designing and outfitting parks is a big undertaking, and it’s important to consider what will engage a diverse array of people, as well as ensuring

With global temperatures on the rise, more attention is being given to the dangerous effects of heat islands. Heat islands usually occur in urbanized

Park and recreation departments are vital for bringing communities together. Community events, activities, classes, leagues and other engagement

Smartphones enable everyone to do so much, wherever they want. Today, this is the expectation, and mobile technology is powering the next generation

Well-designed playgrounds provide a host of benefits for people of all ages, from inspiring physical challenges and movement to sensory stimulation,

For the past decade, dog parks have been among the most commonly planned additions for parks, and no wonder! As of 2022, 44.5% of U.S. households

Many communities across the U.S. have adopted sustainability and conservation initiatives, aiming to reduce waste, mitigate the effects of climate

Playgrounds, recreation and outdoor fitness spaces help communities get outside, get moving and develop skills, relationships, resilience, and a

Local parks improve the quality of life for the communities in which they are situated, providing a place to take a break, get some exercise or visit

Rope play has the potential to transform play value in compact spaces. Unlike traditional post and platform structures, rope-based designs offer a

Face-to-face social interaction has been on a downswing: From 2003 to 2022, socializing decreased among American adults by about 30%—35% for

Play is a crucial part of development, contributing to the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of children, and providing an

Your cleaning and maintenance staff has a lot on their plates. Make sure they have the supplies needed to get the job done right.Q. How can we help

Approximately one in four adults (25.7%) in the United States, or 61 million people, reports living with at least one disability, and some 12. l

There are between 83.7 million and 88.8 million pet dogs in the U.S., the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates, with a full 44.6% of U.S

Creating a playground that will keep kids engaged and eager to return requires careful consideration of a number of factors. Set a GoalThe first

Managing the waste and recycling bins can be time-consuming and expensive—but it doesn’t have to be. With today’s technology and manufacturing

Each year, U.S. hospital emergency rooms see more than 200,000 children with injuries associated with playgrounds, according to the U.S. Consumer

With inclusion front of mind for many park and recreation professionals these days, new strategies are arising for creating more diverse experiences

While the style and colors of your furnishings are important considerations as you plan and design new parks and refresh older sites, ensuring you

Staffing has been a major challenge for parks and recreation facilities over the past few years. Those challenges are compounded when work is

If your facility hosts fitness, sports and other recreational activities, you likely have a lot of equipment. And where storage space is at a premium

Hardwood maple sports flooring provides an ideal mix of durability, shock absorption and ball bounce consistency, making it a top choice for sports

People of all ages, both boys and girls, men and women, are highly engaged in team sports. And athletic fields must adapt to meet the changing faces

Highly Quotable“Nature is our eldest mother; she will do no harm.”— Emily Dickinson, poetSpending time in nature has well-

With global temperatures on the rise, more attention is being given to the dangerous effects of heat islands. Heat islands usually occur in urbanized

National Park Trust, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), announced today that $361,000 was awarded to fund 17 enriching education

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Coalition applauds the Department of the Interior’s announcement allocating $46.7 million in funding to

Eighty-six percent of U.S. adults say they are likely to visit a farmers market if one is located near their home, according to the latest National

Little Tikes® Commercial, which designs and manufactures innovative, commercial-grade playground

Watchfire announces the launch of VariDisplay™, the latest innovation in its Pro AV line of indoor LED display and video wall products. This new LED

ASV, an industry-leading brand of all-purpose and all-season compact track loaders and skid steers, introduces the

NanaWall, innovator and industry leader in opening glass wall technology, has completed its latest product family, Generation 4. A culmination of the

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Lakeshore Foundation, a recognized leader in

By Eric Spacek When you think of carbon monoxide poisoning, you may picture a home with a faulty furnace or a gas burner that was

With the U.S. celebrating its 250th birthday in 2026, Keep America Beautiful has launched the Greatest American Cleanup—a campaign to remove 25

Outside of budgetary issues, parks listed staffing issues and equipment and facility maintenance as the top concerns for their facilities. Some 58.3

Some 30 million youth—55% of K-12 youth in schools—are engaged in summer opportunities, according to a nationally representative poll by Gallup,

According to the Industry Report Survey, more than half of camp respondents saw an increase in the number of people using their facilities from 2022

Problem:The lifespan of an outdoor pool averages between 30 and 50 years, while indoor pools can last 50 to more than 100 years.

By Sue Koch Kiddie pools were popular in public parks a few decades ago and were installed for toddlers who were too small to swim in larger

The National League of Cities (NLC) released its 2024 State of the Cities report, an in-depth exploration of the complex challenges confronting

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) hosted a virtual media briefing , The Critical Role of the

CLIF BAR’s energy snack bar brand for active kids, Zbar, announced a significant $1M partnership with nonprofit KABOOM! to help communities

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the City of Chattanooga announced the grand opening of Lynnbrook Park, located at 1602

Playworld®, a leading commercial playground equipment manufacturer, announced the introduction of PlayHills™, an innovative take on traditional hill

PLAE, a global leader in human performance solutions, announced its partnership as the Official Gym Equipment Supplier for the Australian Olympic

Surf Park Central announced that submissions have opened for the 2024 Surf Park Awards. The annual event is part of Surf Park Summit and honors

A community forest in Maine. A pocket park in Colorado. A community park in Massachusetts. These sites are among the recipients of the 2024 L.L.Bean

Respondents to the Industry Report Survey from parks and Ys were the most likely to report that they had formed partnerships with nonprofit

Well-maintained, safe, and comfortable restrooms are an important amenity within your park, providing comfort and convenience for park visitors, as

Bobcat Company, a global equipment, 

Seminole High School, in Seminole, TX, has transformed its sports program with the installation of video scoreboards from Watchfire. The new

A joint position paper from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Council on Exercise states that nutrition and physical activity

More than three-quarters of respondents from health clubs, colleges and universities, Ys, and rec centers said they currently host fitness programs

Riverside Park in Coral Springs, Florida, has undergone a remarkable transformation, taking several old roller rinks and transforming them into a

The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) has released the first series of

Matrix Fitness, the world's fastest-growing commercial fitness brand, announced a new 3-year agreement with OMNIA Partners, the largest public and

Mecalac, a leading global designer, manufacturer and distributor of compact construction equipment,

Colorbiotics — a Sika Company known for its vibrant and long-lasting colors for mulch, rubber, rock, sand and concrete — is entering the 3D concrete

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) announced the appointment of John Lally as the new Chair of its Board of Directors. Lally, who currently

Matrix Fitness, the world's fastest-growing commercial fitness brand, announced a new integration with Upace, a leading member experience and

July is Park and Recreation Month! How are you celebrating? The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has been celebrating Park and

The top five planned additions for park respondents to the 2024 Industry Report survey were splash play areas, dog parks, fitness trails and outdoor

Survey Methodology This report is based on a survey conducted for Recreation Management by Stamats Inc., an independent

A greater understanding of the multiple positive outcomes resulting from play and from interaction among children and adults with different physical

Most of us are drawn to water, whether we want to immerse ourselves in it or simply engage with it from dry land or boats. And for children, water

High utility bills, difficult terrain, vulnerable building materials, lack of flexibility…all of these are reasons recreational organizations turn to