Ys, Rec Centers Lead on Water Safety

Well over half (58.6%) of respondents to the 2025 Aquatic Trends survey said that they currently offer water safety training programs at their

News/Article

CMAHC Offers Guidance on Aquatic Safety

Aquatic safety is a critical mission for swimming pools across the country, but not every facility has a well-defined plan in place to help ensure

News/Article

American Hiking Society With 259 Organizations Urge Congress to Prioritize Trail and Public Lands Funding

American Hiking Society, in partnership with 259 local, state, and national organizations, has submitted testimony to Congress calling for increased

News/Article

Local Elected Officials and Business Leaders Nationwide Collectively Call for Continued Federal Investment in Trails

Rails to Trails Conservancy, the nation’s largest trails, walking and biking advocacy organization, delivered a letter to U.S. Department of

News/Article

Pool & Hot Tub Alliance Announces Revision of APSP-13 Water Conservation Efficiency Standard

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, is pleased to announce the

News/Article

Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership With DOGIPOT®

The DOGIPOT® concept was created to solve the growing problem of dog pollution. An estimated 90 million dogs are in the U.S., equivalent to nearly 8

News/Article
Dogipot

Half of All Respondents Have Fitness Centers

Around one-half (50.5%) of all respondents to the Industry Report survey said they currently have a fitness center, while a little more than one-

News/Article

Gym Memberships Hit Record in 2024

A quarter of Americans age 6 and up—a record 77 million people—were members of a gym, studio, or other fitness facility in 2024, according to new

News/Article

Get a Piece of the Action

The surge of interest in “action” activities such as climbing walls and challenge/ninja courses in recreation facilities can be attributed to the

News/Article
EP Climbing

Floor It!

New and remodeled recreation facilities have a lot to say ooh and aah about: colors and state of the art equipment, space and plush locker rooms,

News/Article
Regupol

Smooth Operation

For those who operate aquatic facilities, there are many moving parts to consider. And some of the most important ones are, well, actual moving parts

News/Article
Landmark

Down to Earth

Getting kids outdoors and engaging with nature has always been important for their physical and mental well-being. But nowadays—as climate experts

News/Article
Piedmont

inPERSPECTIVE / TECHNOLOGY: Cost Recovery: The Key to a Sustainable Future (and Budget) for Parks & Rec

By Matt Hickey Today, parks and recreation departments face various challenges, like pressure stemming from community

News/Article
AdobeStock

inPERSPECTIVE / SPLASH PLAY: Creating Inclusive, Multigenerational Water Playgrounds

Whether installing a new splash pad or updating an existing splash pad, ground sprays are an easy way to create an inclusive and multigenerational

News/Article
Water Odyssey

inSERVICE: Challenging Bias With the Size Inclusive Training Academy

Nearly three-quarters (about 74%) of adults in the U.S. are considered overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and

News/Article
Stock.Adobe.com

Sandhill Cranes & The Stick Pile

“When you plant something, you invest in a beautiful future amidst a stressful, chaotic and, at times, downright appalling world.”— Monty Don, host

News/Article

Lighting & Sound Systems

Enhance Safety & BeautyEnhance safety, security, and beauty during evening hours in your park and recreation areas, with Game Sonic’s solar

News/Article

Problem-Solver Showcase_April 2025

Problem: We’d like to install a restroom, but no utilities are available. Solution: CXT® can provide double or

News/Article

Waterfront & Marina Products

Get AroundThe AQ-1000 Beach & Trail Wheelchair requires less effort when turning on many terrains, including sand. The proprietary aluminum forks

News/Article

Step Into Swim Celebrates Record-Breaking Donations in First Quarter

Step Into Swim, an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) dedicated to creating more swimmers through safe swim education, is pleased

News/Article

Michigan Sports Complex Adds Eco-Friendly Mini Golf

An 18-hole Modular Advantage® Mini Golf course was recently designed and

News/Article

With LOKSAND, Bunker Faces & Edges ‘Aren’t Going Anywhere'

LOKSAND Global has announced North American availability of the stabilization product LOKSAND (

News/Article

Kubota Kicks Off Fifth Annual Community Grant Program

To continue its longstanding commitment to strengthen communities and support local customers and dealers, Kubota Tractor Corporation is now

News/Article

Warm Chips, Melty Cheese, Instant Gratification – Introducing Nachos Now

Craving nachos? Now, there’s a new vending system that’s transforming nachos as you know it. Gold Medal is pleased to announce the launch of Nachos

News/Article

StairMaster Safety Treads Quickly and Economically Upgrade Safety

Wooster Products StairMaster® safety renovation treads can quickly and economically enhance the safety of interior and exterior stairs and landings,

News/Article

Bike Trails Most Common for Parks, Camps

About one-third (33.2%) of all respondents to the 2024 Industry Report survey said they currently include bike trails at their facilities. They were

News/Article

Mountain Biking Helps Power Rural Economies

Natural-surface trails not only boost local economies, but also enhance community well-being and resilience according to a new report, “Economic

News/Article

Chocolates & Chats: Real Talk About Reaching the Next Generation

Looking for fresh ideas to engage younger generations in your community programs? Register for Chocolates & Chats with 

News/Article

Research Shows Play Spaces With Natural Elements Enhance Child Development

Playgrounds are increasingly incorporating natural elements, with research suggesting that natural settings significantly enhance children’s physical

News/Article

Congress Reintroduces Game-Changing Bill to Lower Healthcare Costs Through Fitness

A bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, a commonsense, cost-saving solution to empower more

News/Article

ASLA Committed to Helping Communities Meet Climate, Biodiversity Goals

Extreme heat, flooding, drought, sea level rise, wildfire, air and water pollution, and ecosystem loss and degradation transcend state and national

News/Article

Spectrum Aquatics Introduces Ergonomic Pool Lift Seat

Spectrum Aquatics, a PlayCore company, and leader in innovative aquatic equipment, proudly introduces the new Ergonomic Pool Lift Seat. Our ADA-

News/Article

EP Climbing Celebrates 40 Years of Revolutionizing the Sport of Climbing

This year, EP Climbing (formerly Entre-Prises) proudly celebrates 40 years of innovation, accessibility, and excellence in the world of climbing.

News/Article

HFA Board Elects New Chair, Welcomes Five Leaders

The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) Board of Directors at its March 11 meeting elected five new board members and a new chair, vice chair,

News/Article

Vortex Unveils VECTORY: A New Splashpad® Collection

Vortex Aquatic Structures International (Vortex), a manufacturer and world leader in aquatic solutions, is proud to announce the launch of VECTORY™,

News/Article

Turface Athletics Announces 2024 Distributor Award Recipients

In recognition of outstanding performance and dedication,

News/Article

Bobcat Company Launches Powerful Mini Track Loader

Bobcat Company introduces the 

News/Article

Roaring in Memphis

Memphis, Tenn., is the birthplace of the blues, so expectations for sound are high in this “Music City.” It’s fitting then that fans of the NBA

News/Article

A Playground Grows in the Wake of Grief

After 3-year-old Mitchell Chang drowned at his swim school in 2018, his parents formed The Mitchell Chang Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in

News/Article

Kids on the Move

Playgrounds come in all shapes and sizes, and do a good job of getting kids moving. Adding features like climbing boulders, obstacle courses, and

News/Article
Landscape Structures

NRPA Grants Aim to Transform Youth Sports

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) recently awarded grants totaling nearly $1 million to 68 agencies in 33 states to help transform

News/Article

Ys, Parks Most Likely to Host Youth Sports Programs

Respondents to the 2024 Industry Report survey from Ys and parks were the most likely to report that they currently host youth sports programs at

News/Article

Synthetic Turf for Playgrounds Subject of Proposed ASTM Standard

ASTM International’s sports equipment, playing surfaces, and facilities committee (

News/Article

The HFA Show 2025 Draws Nearly 10,000 Attendees

The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) closed out 

News/Article

Synthetic Turf Most Common for Colleges, Schools

Synthetic turf sports fields were most commonly found among college and school facilities covered by the Industry Report survey. While 24.4% of all

News/Article

Crumb Rubber in Turf Fields Poses No Significant Risk, Study Concludes

A new study from the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) examining

News/Article

Attract & Retain Members: Lighting Solutions to Elevate Your Facility

The right lighting solutions can transform your club, sports, or recreation center into a more inviting, safe, and high-performance facility. In this

Course
LSI Industries

Comfort Zone

Whether it be a community park hosting sporting events or concerts, a small sitting area along a bustling urban streetscape, or a large state park

News/Article
UltraSite

ORR Leads National Coalition of Outdoor Recreation Businesses and Organizations in Launching ’25 in 2025’ Campaign

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), along with the Confluence of States and over 110 leading outdoor recreation organizations from across the United

News/Article

Aspen Institute Finds Disparities in Sports Engagement Among Washington, D.C. Youth

More youth in Washington D.C. play organized sports than do so nationally, but the nation’s capital faces significant participation gaps in the most

News/Article

YMCA of the USA President and CEO Suzanne McCormick Testifies About Combatting Senior Loneliness

On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Suzanne McCormick, YMCA of

News/Article

PHTA Pulse Survey Shows Industry Resilience in Q4 2024

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) recently released the results from its Quarterly Pulse Survey (QPS) for Q4 2024, revealing a very optimistic

News/Article

ICP Group Appoints Deb Lechner as Vice President of Marketing

ICP Group, a leading specialty chemical manufacturer in North America and global leader in professional building products, proudly welcomes Deb

News/Article

Shaw Sports Turf Opens State-of-the-Art PEAK Performance Lab

Shaw Sports Turf announces the opening of its state-of-the-art PEAK Performance Lab, a groundbreaking facility that redefines turf research and

News/Article

ACE Welcomes Pam Watts to Board of Directors

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Pam Watts, CAE, to its Board of Directors. As the executive director

News/Article

Life Floor and Landmark Aquatic Announce Partnership

Life Floor, the industry leader in aquatic safety surfacing, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Landmark Aquatic through its

News/Article

Ys, Camps Have Oldest Facilities

The average facility of respondents to the 2024 Industry Report survey was 41 years old, with the oldest facilities found among respondents from Ys,

News/Article

Pros Voice Concern for Community Spaces

Only 5% of public space professionals think public spaces are meeting community needs according to the recent State of Public Space Survey Report

News/Article

Inspiring Pool Furniture Layout and Arrangement Tips

A well-planned pool furniture layout can transform outdoor spaces, making them more functional, inviting, and aesthetically pleasing. Strategically

News/Article
ParkNPool