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.

Technical Tool
Infographics | COVID-19: Be Smart. Do Your Part.
Montgomery County Parks & Rec
Various COVID-19 related signs meant to educate park visitors on safe ways to access and use park facilities.
Report
2020 Menino Survey of Mayors
Boston University Initiative on Cities
Mayors have had to deal with COVID-19’s consequences and its impact on their cities' future. Between June and August 2020 this Survey asked 130 mayors about th…
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.
Plan
ASLA Climate Action Plan
American Society of Landscape Architects
To get on a pathway to zero emissions, ASLA is taking a significant step forward with this Climate Action Plan.
Policy
Press Release Urging Park Users to Follow Social Distancing
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
Explains PPC's response to the COVID-19 global health emergency, strongly urging park users to practice safe physical distancing.
Report
The Common Ground Framework: Building community power through park and green space engagement
Trust for Public Land
This paper explores how parks and green spaces can increase a community’s power, particularly communities of historically excluded groups.
Report
Greenspace in American Cities: How Access to Parks and Nature Can Improve Health and Well-Being
CityHealth, Beaumont Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Trust for Public Land
This report highlights disparities in greenspace access and outlines policy solutions that can ensure that all communities have access to public land.
Report
Transit to parks initiatives in the U.S. and Canada: Practitioners’ perspectives
Transport Policy
This study explores motivations, facilitators, and challenges related to transit to parks initiatives in the U.S. and Canada.
Member Exclusive
Policy
Virginia Beach Essential Services Child Care Guidelines for Staff
City of VA Beach
The City of Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Department offers free child care services to designated personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Report
2022 Outdoor Participation Trends Report
Outdoor Foundation
This research study examines interest in outdoor recreation after the COVID pandemic disruption.