Resources

Resources for Park and Recreation Professionals

With help from our members and research partners, we make the following resources and tools available to equip parks and recreation departments, municipalities, urban design and landscape architecture firms, and advocacy organizations to enhance capacity and build equitable, healthy, and engaged communities.

Report
COVID-19 and Greenspace Use Survey Findings
Data and Evidence subgroup of the Environment and Spaces for Public Health Partnership Group
This report provides an overview of findings from surveys looking at visits to and use of greenspace during the pandemic.
Report
WHO-Green and New Evidence and Perspectives for Action Blue Spaces and Mental Health
World Health Organization
This report presents the results of two systematic reviews on types and characteristics of green and blue spaces and mental health.
Report
A Framework for Assessing Equitable Health Outcomes of Parks
Urban Institute
Provides a framework for identifying how park systems improves health outcomes for users and understand how parks address health disparities.
Technical Tool
The Hospital Green Space Cost Savings Calculator
Nature Sacred
Estimate how much your institution could save costs associated with burnout among hospital staff by establishing a hospital biophilia intervention.
Technical Tool
Inclusive Healthy Places Companion Guide for Park and Recreation Professionals
Gehl (gehlpeople.com);The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
Offers a comprehensive approach to leverage inclusion and health equity that inform the planning, design, development and evaluation of public spaces.
Member Exclusive
Technical Tool
Placemaking for an Aging Population: Guidelines for Senior-Friendly Parks
Luskin School of Public Affairs
People over age 65 in the U.S. remain highly underserved in regards to parks. This report draws from different sources to understand how parks can be best desi…
Technical Tool
Greener Parks: Green Infrastructure as a Strategy for Improving Equity and Community Well-Being Advocacy Toolkit
NRPA
Toolkit gives Park & Rec professionals resources for climate impacts, community health, and advance fair and just access to quality green spaces.
Member Exclusive
Case Study
River Garden | Memphis, TN
Memphis River Parks Partnership
A once dormant park has transformed into a breathtaking public space on the riverfront of downtown Memphis.
Member Exclusive
Case Study
Equity in the Fourth Bluff District
Memphis River Parks Partnership
Memphis River Parks Partnership discovers transferring park ownership to local non-profit greatly assists equity in developing urban parks.
Member Exclusive
Case Study
Washington Area Bicyclist Association | Washington, DC
Washington Area Bicyclists Association, Washington D.C
The Washington Area of Bicyclists Association annual fundraising bike ride showcases urban environment and historic sites along the C&O Canal.