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.

Case Study
Parks That Protect: Leveraging Waterfronts for Resilient Communities
Urban Land Institute
Explores seven leading-edge waterfront park projects from around the world built to protect adjacent neighborhoods from climate threats.
Member Exclusive
Agreement
City of Austin Park Operations and Maintenance Agreement
City of Austin, TX
This park operations and maintenance agreement outlines the roles and responsibilities of The Trail Foundation and the City in maintaining a trail.
Case Study
The Brickline Greenway: Charting a Path towards Social Equity in St. Louis
City Parks Alliance
With cities everywhere focused squarely on equity issues right now, it is a hopeful time for those in St. Louis who’ve been advocating for, funding, and buildi…
Technical Tool
2020 Funding Guide
GameTime.com: A Playcore Company
Useful list of funding sources to access resources to plan, build, and program parks and other communities assets.
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…
Case Study
We Walk PHL
Fairmount Park Conservancy
This free walking program promotes healthy lifestyles and increases the use of local parks. Active Parks case study platform sponsored by REI.
Case Study
Fairmount Park
City Parks Alliance
Fairmount Park uses park infrastructure to serve multiple functions; offering green space, delivering clean water, improving the city’s air, providing transpor…
Case Study
Shelby Farms Park and Greenline
City Parks Alliance
Shelby Farms Park is one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. and features open pastures, forested areas, an international award-winning playground, equestri…
Case Study
Cumberland and Riverfront Parks
City Parks Alliance
These parks fulfill a vital role in managing stormwater and making Nashville safer and more resilient.
Case Study
Lafitte Greenway
City Parks Alliance
A small investment in the Lafitte Greenway created a means of transportation for local residents, catalyzed development in the area, and increased environmenta…