Park and recreation professionals have the tools and resources to lead localized, anti-racist solutions that advance the multitude of benefits derived from equitable park access and climate-resilient park systems. The Park Access Network is an open community bringing together diverse professionals to facilitate conversations and best practices among peers to drive systemic changes that advance equitable and resilient park access.

NRPA membership hours take place the second Thursday of each month at 1pm ET. Join the membership team for a brief overview of NRPA membership at the top of the hour followed by the opportunity to ask questions about your benefits, getting involved with NRPA and much more. We invite everyone to join!

Join the National Conflict Resolution Center's interactive workshop, The Bystander Challenge Clinic, on December 5th, 2024, to learn how bystanders can become upstanders in addressing inappropriate workplace behavior. Participants will gain practical skills to foster a respectful and inclusive workplace through thoughtful communication, empathy, and intervention techniques.

Join the National Conflict Resolution Center's interactive workshop, “The ARTful Conversations Clinic”, on January 30th, 2025! Learn how to improve communication by teaching collaborative skills that reduce tension, express perspectives non-confrontationally, and build stronger relationships. Through real-life examples, participants learn to navigate conflict effectively in all settings.

Join the National Conflict Resolution Center's 4-part interactive workshop, "Culture, Communication, and Conflict"! These clinics equip workplace leaders with strategies to manage conflicts around polarizing issues like politics and remote work. Through interactive sessions, leaders learn how to create a positive, inclusive culture that enhances employee satisfaction and productivity. These clinics will be at 2:00pm EDT every Thursday in February 2025!

Released September 2024! Learn about innovative ways parks and recreation serves older adults and fosters opportunity for connections across the generations. You will learn about a recent NRPA study on older adult and intergenerational programming within parks and recreation. You will also hear directly from park and recreation practitioners about their experiences providing these programs and services to older adults and the broader community. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about innovative approaches to serving and honoring the older adults in our communities.

Coming November 2024! This online learning event equips participants with tools to build or enhance a dynamic volunteer program, focusing on recruitment, onboarding, appreciation, and the distinction between leading and managing, to support their organization's mission and goals.

Coming December 2024! The CDC Branch Chief for the Drug Free Communities (DFC) program will present the rates of youth substance use in the United States and how the DFC program addresses youth substance use. She will then discuss ways park and recreation departments can collaborate with DFC coalitions, and how they can also directly apply for the funding themselves. A representative from the Douglas County, Kansas, DFC coalition and their local park and recreation department will then share a real example of how they successfully worked together on reducing youth marijuana use in their community.

Released September 2024! By using data from our community, we can see where our programming behaviors are excelling and where we need to focus to provide a truly equitable experience. Special events have the opportunity to bring people together, but we need to know who is left out of these experiences and why. Using data to help us make these decisions, we can connect more people to our resources and, ultimately, the fun of special events!

Coming November 2024! This session will review the importance of creating inclusive spaces for all individuals to experience belonging in the community through recreation & leisure activities. The presenter specifically will focus on ways to include individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in recreational programming and using specific supports and resources to bolster success.

Coming November 2024! Presenters will discuss youth mentoring in parks and recreation and how tools from NRPA’s Equity in Practice work can be applied to programs to build diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Learners will leave knowing where to find resources for youth mentoring in parks and recreation, what the Equity in Practice core competencies are and examples from the field of how these ideas can be applied to everyday interactions.

Released October 2024! Presenters will discuss youth mentoring in parks and recreation and how tools from NRPA’s Equity in Practice work can be applied to programs to build diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Learners will leave knowing where to find resources for youth mentoring in parks and recreation, what the Equity in Practice core competencies are and examples from the field of how these ideas can be applied to everyday interactions.

Released August 2024! This learning product will cover effective communication techniques, principles of empathy and inclusivity, conflict resolution strategies and cultural competence — all tailored to the unique context of parks and recreation. These areas are essential for professionals and volunteers to create inclusive environments, address conflicts constructively and engage diverse communities effectively, ensuring that park and recreation spaces are welcoming and accessible to all.

Released August 2024! In this learning session, Ms. Mellen will inform attendees about her cross-agency position and guide them through the yearlong planning process that the Wilmette Park District embarked upon over the past year. This planning process involved an assessment of current District practices, an external assessment of nearby communities, patron outreach via surveys, table talks, feedback forms, and the formation of an internal staff steering committee – all of which culminated in the creation of the district's inaugural sustainability plan.