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
Nature-Based Solutions for Managing Stormwater in Parks
City Parks Alliance
This report from a cohort of parks and stormwater agency leaders from eight cities informs how to increase collaboration between the parks and stormwater manag…
Member Exclusive
Agreement
Master Community Food Habitat Agreement
Denver Urban Gardens
This is a land use agreement template used by Denver Urban Gardens as an initial framework upon which all of their agreements are built.
Report
Surfacing Solutions: How Addressing Conflict and Reframing Challenges as Opportunities Can Create More Equitable and Sustainable Parks
Park People
Takeaways on trends, challenges and strategic directions in Canadian city parks in 2023.
Report
Managing High-Quality Parks Environments: Models and Lessons from Selected Parks in New York City, Chicago, and Cincinnati
University of Buffalo
This report examines the management features of the 21 parks to identify lessons for how to create and maintain a premier waterfront gathering place.
Report
Key Park Equity Policies: Toward a 10-Minute Walk Park Equity Policy Framework
Trust for Public Land
This report outlines policy solutions and examples that help create scaled, sustainable change and address the park equity divide.
Policy
Partnership Policy Operating Procedures
Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Seeks to strengthen partnerships between the City of Austin, private organizations, volunteers, and community groups to provide recreational opportunities effi…
Member Exclusive
Technical Tool
Vancouver Park Board Best Management Practices Cutsheets
Vancouver Park Board
Contains BMPs for a variety of naturalized meadows, including no mow, low mow, enhanced low mow, and wildflower, as well as design and layout options.
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.
Member Exclusive
Agreement
State of Washington Contract for Encampment Cleanup Services
State of Washington Department of Enterprise Services
State of Washington Department of Enterprise Services contract for encampment cleanup services with a third-party vendor.
Member Exclusive
Agreement
City of Olympia Services Agreement for On-Call Homeless Encampment Clean-Up Services
City of Olympia, WA
This on-call services agreement from the City of Olympia is with an independent contractor skilled in the area of homeless encampment clean-up.