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.

Member Exclusive
Request for Proposals
Denver Parks and Recreation RFP for Park Stewardship Crews
Denver Parks and Recreation
This RFP seeks organizations that provide volunteers, youth, and pre-apprenticeship crews for park stewardship projects.
Member Exclusive
Technical Tool
Milwaukee Parks Foundation Grant Application Guidelines
Milwaukee Parks Foundation
Milwaukee Parks Foundation offers grants to grassroots groups seeking to improve parks. Application guidelines and evaluation criteria are outlined.
Member Exclusive
Technical Tool
Milwaukee Parks Foundation Project Tracker Template
Milwaukee Parks Foundation
This project tracker is used by Milwaukee Parks Foundation and Milwaukee County Parks to track progress, funding, and tasks for joint projects.
Member Exclusive
Agreement
Milwaukee Parks Foundation MOU with Milwaukee County Parks
Milwaukee Parks Foundation
This MOU between Milwaukee Parks Foundation and Milwaukee County Parks defines the relationship and the roles and responsibilities of each party.
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
Cornerstone Parks Reports on Stewardship and Park Use
Park People
This research from Canada shows that volunteer stewardship in large urban parks makes people happier and healthier and points to the need for equity.
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.
Case Study
Development Fees and Park Equity in Los Angeles
Journal of the American Planning Association
This case study evaluates whether the equity-motivated changes in Los Angeles’ park fees ordinance (known as Quimby) resulted in equity gains.
Agreement
Partnership Configuration
Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Combined partnership agreements between public agencies and private nonprofits that build, renovate, maintain, the ecosystem of Austin's parks.
Member Exclusive
Ecological Horticulture at the Presidio
Presidio Trust
Note that this guide is specific to the area it describes and includes design guidance for ecologically supportive urban landscaped areas.