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
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.
Member Exclusive
Report
PAS QuickNotes: Climate-Resilient Pollinator Gardens
American Planning Association
Pollinator gardens increase climate resiliency and provide ecological, environmental, and health benefits.
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
Extreme Weather Mitigation in the Las Cruces Infill District Through Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Las Cruces Infill District
A report describing how a $1.8 million investment in trees supported by green infrastructure will double the Infill District's shade canopy while also conservi…
Member Exclusive
Report
Process of Partnership Development Between Verde Landscape, Forest Park Conservancy, West Multnomah Soil, Water Conservation District, and Portland Parks and Recreation
Forest Park Conservancy
Documents the process in which four organizations formed a partnership to establish a model to achieve common and individual goals related to economic and work…
Member Exclusive
Report
Todays Older Adults Initial Report of Results
Stephanie T. West, Ph.D. Recreation Management Appalachian State University
Survey sent to adults 50+ to gain a better understanding of the current activity behaviors and attitudes of older adults along with their greatest challenges.
Member Exclusive
Report
New York Zoning Law and Practice Report
By Thomson Reuters
Article considers five alternative revenue strategies that show promise for leveraging private dollars for public parks and protected open space.
Member Exclusive
Report
Nurturing Neighborhoods
By Clement Lau-American Planning Association
LA County’s master planning effort for six of its most "park-poor" unincorporated communities, bridging sustainability, social equity, and parks.
Report
Investing in Equitable Urban Park Systems: Case Studies & Recommendations
City Parks Alliance
Learn from seven cities that are leading the way with data-driven approaches to guide park investments, engage communities, and build better parks for all.
Report
Case Studies: City Parks – A Smart Investment for America’s Health, Economy & Environment
City Parks Alliance
Explore stories of parks whose infrastructure plays a vital role in their cities' social, economic, and well-being.