We are just about a month away from the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, and on today’s episode of Open Space Radio, I’m thrilled to be joined by one of this year’s recipients of the NRPA Young Professional Fellowship. The Young Professional Fellowship provides an opportunity to explore the operation of NRPA and its governing bodies at the NRPA Annual Conference. Participants meet with mentors, are recognized at the Best of the Best ceremony and more. A primary focus of the progr...
Aug 16, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 119
The August issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, titled, “ Homelessness: How Can I Help? ” The article explores how homelessness continues to be a serious social and public health issue in the U.S., and how park and recreation agencies are increasingly helping to support their community members who are experiencing homelessness and housing instability. I’m thrilled to we...
Jul 21, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 118
As you likely know, we are currently celebrating Park and Recreation Month here at NRPA and at park and recreation departments across the country throughout the month of July. And there’s also a special week that takes place in July that we are big fans of — Latino Conservation Week, which is taking place now through July 24. Launched in 2014, Latino Conservation Week is an initiative of Hispanic Access Foundation and was created to support the Latino community getting outdoors and participating...
Jul 19, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 118
It is officially our favorite month of the year here on Open Space Radio, and I’m so excited to celebrate Park and Recreation Month throughout July. Today’s episode is a short one, and you’re stuck with just me for a few minutes, but I wanted to take the opportunity to share some of the ways you can join in the Park and Recreation Month celebrations with us at NRPA. Since 1985, people in the United States have celebrated Park and Recreation Month in July to promote building strong, vibrant and r...
Jul 05, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Research shows that when children play sports, they increase their chances to grow up healthy, build friendships, and develop skills like teamwork and respect. And while 94 percent of park and recreation agencies offer youth sports, there are significant disparities in who has access to and benefits from sports participation. This June as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX — the landmark piece of federal legislation prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education sett...
Jun 21, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 116
As we officially begin our Park and Recreation Month celebrations with the July issue of Parks & Recreation magazine, I’m thrilled to be joined on today’s bonus episode by a few of the people involved with the event highlighted in this month’s cover story. Our cover this month, which is the winner of our annual Park and Recreation Month cover contest, is a photo that was taken during the tribal dedication of the Ocotillo Ramada at Phoenix's Piestewa Peak. Formerly known as Squaw Peak, the Ci...
Jun 16, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 115
This podcast episode is supported by Grant # 2020-JY-FX-0002 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, a component of the Office of Justice Programs at U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this podcast are those of our guests and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice. While we have talked a lot about the COVID-19 pandemic on the show, and how that has been impacting communities, the...
Jun 07, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 115
The June issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories titled, “Making Wellness More Inclusive.” The story highlights a new inclusive wellness center that is part of the parks and recreation department in West Lafayette, Indiana, and today I’m joined by two individuals who were critical to its design. Today’s guests are Brent Ross, the Sports, Recreation and Entertainment Practice Lea...
May 19, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 114
In the spirit of registration opening yesterday for the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference , I wanted to replay one of our Coffee Talks from last year’s conference, when I had the opportunity to talk with Ignacio Gallegos and his grandmother, Leticia DeLaFuente. Ignacio has been a participant in the programs through Fox Valley Special Recreation Association in Illinois for the last 11 years, which he says has helped him find purpose in life. Ignacio, who was born blind, shares how the programs at Fox V...
May 10, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 114
The May issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, “ Recognizing Water Safety Month .” In celebration of May being National Water Safety Month, the article explores best practices for safety in and around the water, with an emphasis on equity and inclusion. On today’s show, I am joined by the author of the article, Tara Eggleston Stewart, CPRE, division chief for aquatics and athl...
Apr 21, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 113
On today’s episode, I’m excited talk about something that plays a critical role in building environmental resilience, cooling our neighborhoods, and improving the health of our communities: trees. Trees are critical infrastructure, but due to decades of redlining and other discriminatory policies, there are fewer trees in low-income communities and communities of color. Which is why I am thrilled to talk about tree equity with today’s guest, Jad Daley, president and CEO of American Forests. Jad ...
Apr 12, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 113
As we wrap up Women’s History Month, I wanted to revisit an episode we released around this time last year, with three women who created quite a force in the world of parks and recreation – a group known as Women in Parks and Recreation, or WiPaR, which started as a Facebook group for women in the field to come together and share their ideas, struggles and triumphs. It has now grown into a 501©3 nonprofit charitable organization with a go al of strengthening women in the field through networking...
Mar 29, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 112
The April issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode we’re diving into one of this month’s feature stories, “ Celebrating Earth Day .” which explores how park and recreation professionals across the country are bringing Earth Day events to their communities during the month of April and on Earth Day, which takes place on April 22 – and, this year is the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day. Joining me on today’s episode is the author of the article, NRPA Director ...
Mar 17, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 111
With around 65,000 people around the world supporting the quality of life for United States Armed Forces personnel and their families, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (or MWR) — a.k.a. Armed Forces Recreation — is a network of park and recreation professionals who serve in the military and offer everything you would see at a traditional, community-based park and recreation agency. It also is a sector of the park and recreation world that provides a lot of civilian career opportunities for student...
Mar 15, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 111
Regular listeners of the show know that I have a love for skateboarding, and, as many NRPA members and park and recreation professionals have been inquiring about the benefits of bringing skateparks to their communities, I’m excited for today’s episode. And, I believe you’re going to get a lot out of it if you’re one of those professionals advocating for a skatepark at your agency. On today’s episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Alec Beck, the manager of public education for The Skatepark Project, f...
Mar 01, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 110
The March issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, titled, “ Blazing a Trail in Bristol, Connecticut .” The story highlights a mountain bike pump track in Bristol that became a reality thanks to the advocacy of community members, buy-in from the local park and recreation department, and funding from NRPA’s Youth Sports and Play grant. I’m thrilled to be joined today by some key p...
Feb 17, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 109
If you’ve been listening to the show for a while now, or if you joined us at the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference, you may be familiar with today’s guests. On today’s episode, we’re replaying my Coffee Talk from the conference with Dr. Kim and Claude Walker, the founders of Abundant Life Adventure Club. Abundant Life Adventure Club is an outdoor adventure company whose membership and adventures help Black people who want to live an active lifestyle by providing a variety of organized, curated outdoor...
Feb 01, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 109
The February issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and I’m excited to finally be back with a bonus episode since we had taken a break on bonus episodes over the last few months. And, the reason I’m so excited about it is that we are celebrating the second annual 30 Under 30 ! Parks & Recreation magazine’s 30 Under 30 honors the top young park and recreation professionals who serve as everyday superheroes in their respective communities, and while you can read about all 30 of t...
Jan 20, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 108
I am so excited for today’s episode for a few reasons. One, I’m always excited when I get to have a wonderful conversation for an episode of Open Space Radio. Two, I really enjoy learning about the innovative things happening in parks and recreation that are helping to create stronger, healthier, more resilient communities. And three, I’m joined by one of my all-time favorite guests of the show today, Neelay Bhatt. Neelay is Vice President and Principal of PROS Consulting, and he recently publis...
Jan 18, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 108
We are back for a new year of amazing stories and I can’t wait for all the conversations taking place this year on Open Space Radio! To kick off 2022, I’m thrilled to welcome someone who is making some big waves in the outdoor recreation industry. Dani Reyes-Acosta is a mountain athlete and storyteller rewriting the narrative of who plays outside and how we build community with others on this planet. Originally from Southern California, she has traveled through Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru, An...
Jan 04, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 107
It’s so hard to believe that we’re coming to the end of another year. And, with all the hope we had going into 2021 after a traumatic 2020, I think it’s safe to say that this was also a very difficult year. That’s not to say there weren’t a lot of positive things to happen this year, but I just wanted to start by acknowledging the fact that 2021 was hard — for me, for a lot of you, for us. But, if you’re still showing up, whatever that looks like at the moment, I see you and I applaud you. It’s ...
Dec 21, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 106
On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, I’m excited to be replaying one of the Coffee Talks I hosted at the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference back in September. So, if you weren’t able to join us at the conference, I’m glad you’ll be able to hear this conversation today with Luis Romahn. Luis is the president, CEO and founder of Parques de México and the National Association of Parks and Recreation Mexico, also known as ANPR. Luis has led ANPR for the last six years, offering its members professional ...
Dec 07, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Last week we celebrated National Take a Hike Day, and today on the show we’re continuing our celebrations of the Hike Your Turf campaign in partnership with our friends at Merrell. All month long, we’ve been discussing the importance of getting outside and the need for equitable access to parks, trails, green spaces and more. On today’s episode, I’m so excited to welcome one of Merrell’s ambassadors to chat about her journey to becoming an outdoor leader, advocate and community builder. Jenny Br...
Nov 23, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 104
It’s hard to believe, but it is already November. One of my favorite things to do this time of year is get outside and take in all the beautiful fall foliage and crisp air here in Virginia, and I’m fortunate to have some great trails close to my home, which has really benefitted my physical and mental health. So, I’m thrilled that NRPA is once again partnering with Merrell for the Hike Your Turf campaign this month, which focuses on encouraging everyone to get outside and explore their local par...
Nov 09, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Today, I’m excited to once again be sharing a replay of one of the Coffee Talks I hosted during the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference back in September. As you may know, last week NRPA released a new resource – the Equity Language Guide . We know that words matter and that language has the power to uplift as well as marginalize – but sometimes finding the “right” words to use can be difficult. The guide serves as a glossary of terms to help park and recreation professionals develop a common language a...
Oct 26, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 102
First, I want to take a moment to mention that today’s episode is episode 100 of Open Space Radio! We’ve technically released more than 100 if you include bonus episodes, but since this is “officially” episode 100, I just wanted to thank YOU for listening to the podcast every other week and continuing to show your support. As you may know, a few weeks ago at the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference, I had the privilege of hosting Coffee Talks and having some really great conversations with some really gr...
Oct 12, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 101
One of the core elements of parks and recreation is not something super profound or complicated, but it is absolutely essential. When we get down to it, parks and recreation is about play. Play is an essential component of learning, development, creativity, connection, health and well-being, and so much more – and especially for kids. But, the reality is that there is a long history of Black, Indigenous and people of color being systemically excluded from, or made to feel unwelcome, in spaces li...
Sep 28, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 100
When this episode airs, we will be exactly a week away from the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference , taking place both virtually and in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s going to be three dynamic days of learning, networking, inspiring conversation and so much more, and I can’t wait until things get started next Tuesday. In the meantime, I’m honored to chat with someone today who I have been meaning to invite on the podcast for a while now. Mitchell Silver recently wrapped up a seven-year tenure as parks comm...
Sep 14, 2021•33 min•Season 1Ep. 99
Things have been very busy here at NRPA as we gear up for the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference coming up September 21-23. So busy, in fact, that we don’t have a new episode of Open Space Radio for you today, but I wanted to take the opportunity on our regularly scheduled release day to release a bonus episode just to give you a sneak peak of what I’ve been working on for conference. Over the past couple weeks, I’ve been recording some really incredible conversations for our Coffee Talks that will be ...
Aug 24, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 98
Park and Recreation Month — which is obviously the best month in the park and recreation profession, just wrapped up at the end of July, and I’m excited to share one of the many things we did this year on today’s episode. This year for Park and Recreation Month, in partnership with New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander, we created a community poem — one poem compiled from many voices, about what parks and recreation means to people. We asked members of the park and recreation communi...
Aug 10, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 98
