How to run a successful recreation facilities referendum

By Emily Gebhardt

Recreation centers, public parks and trails, pools, and athletic facilities form the foundation of community wellness and engagement. Successful funding for park districts and projects requires a multifaceted approach. Community support and funding are critical; without that backing, a parks and recreation project is less likely to flourish.

https://www.prbplus.com/winning-the-vote/

By Dave Herpy

In today’s dynamic world of parks and recreation, effective leadership is more essential than ever. This field plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life in our communities, yet the challenges facing our teams—staffing, burnout, and ever-evolving public needs—require intentional leadership grounded in purpose. Drawing from my book, Leading with Purpose: Achieving Your Highest Potential in Work and Life, this article explores how leaders in parks and recreation can lead with authenticity, clarity, and impact.

https://www.prbplus.com/leading-with-purpose-in-parks-recreation/

A unique outdoor program for adults

By Leah Carlson

For over 25 years, Wilderness Awareness School's Immersion program has transformed the lives of adults through an intense, nine-month, nature connection experience. Located on a 60-acre campus in the foothills of Washington State's Cascade Mountains, the program is a powerful model for how immersive, holistic outdoor education can inspire personal growth, foster community, and build tomorrow's environmental leaders.

https://www.prbplus.com/the-power-of-immersion/

A critical way to increase ADA compliance

By VernaAnn Kotansky

Inclusive playgrounds give all children an opportunity to enjoy one of the most essential parts of childhood—play. Unfortunately, many accessible playgrounds focus only on physical accommodations like ramps and wheelchair-accessible swings. While these are vital, true accessibility must go further by also addressing communication differences. That’s where communication boards come in. These tools are a critical part of creating fully inclusive, ADA-compliant playground environments.

Planning for and mitigating noise issues

By Brandon Kunkel

Whether you love pickleball for its energetic, fast pace or hate it for the constant rhythmic, popping noise of the plastic ball, its status as one of the fastest-growing recreational sports in the United States is undeniable. According to USA Pickleball, 4,000 new locations were added in 2024, contributing to a total of nearly 16,000 new courts nationwide.

Palm Coast’s Southern Recreation Center sets a new standard for sustainable sports design

By Sam Elsheikh

Nestled within a 63-acre campus adjacent to the Palm Coast Tennis Center, the City of Palm Coast’s new Southern Recreation Center in Florida is more than a sports complex. It’s a regional destination, an architectural statement, and a benchmark in environmentally conscious civic development. Designed by OLC and constructed by Gilbane Building Company, the project integrates community engagement, environmental stewardship, and recreational excellence into a LEED Gold-certified facility.

The entrepreneurial-planning approach

By Howard Kozloff and Ben Donsky

Public parks are often caught between providing accessible amenities and programs for the community and finding ways to generate revenue for upkeep and maintenance. Today, many conservancies and a smaller number of municipal and county parks departments are moving toward a more business-minded approach, away from the traditional user-fee model. This shift represents a fundamental change in how park systems operate, focusing on creating diverse revenue streams that can advance broader community priorities while maintaining their core public mission.

https://www.prbplus.com/revenue-development-for-public-parks/

How trails are essential to climate resilience

By Clement Lau

As climate change intensifies, communities around the globe face unprecedented environmental challenges, from rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns to the loss of biodiversity. In response, innovative approaches to enhance climate resilience are essential. Trails, typically seen as recreational amenities, can play a surprisingly critical role in building climate resilience. More than just pathways for walkers, hikers, cyclists, or equestrians, trails offer numerous environmental, social, and economic benefits that directly contribute to community preparedness and adaptation in the face of a changing climate.

https://www.prbplus.com/on-the-right-path/