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
Inequalities in urban greenness and epigenetic aging: Different associations by race and neighborhood socioeconomic status
Science Advances
This research article studies the association between exposure to greenness and epigenetic aging in a large, biracial U.S. urban cohort.
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.
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.
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…
Member Exclusive
Case Study
Starting A Corps Manual Case Study: The Gulf Coast Restoration Initiative
The Corps Network
A step-by-step guide with milestones and benchmarks for those starting their own Corps program from exploratory phase to full operation.
Member Exclusive
Case Study
River Garden | Memphis, TN
Memphis River Parks Partnership
A once dormant park has transformed into a breathtaking public space on the riverfront of downtown Memphis.
Member Exclusive
Case Study
Equity in the Fourth Bluff District
Memphis River Parks Partnership
Memphis River Parks Partnership discovers transferring park ownership to local non-profit greatly assists equity in developing urban parks.
Member Exclusive
Case Study
Washington Area Bicyclist Association | Washington, DC
Washington Area Bicyclists Association, Washington D.C
The Washington Area of Bicyclists Association annual fundraising bike ride showcases urban environment and historic sites along the C&O Canal.
Member Exclusive
Case Study
Park & Recreation Sponsorship Package
City of El Cajon
An example of how the City of El Cajon Parks & Rec Dept created the "Hopscotch Challenge" as a sponsorship proposal during COVID-19.
Case Study
Healthy Aging at the Older Americans Center
Older Americans Center, Jasper, IN
A single fitness class started over 30 years ago has led to a thriving, full-time exercise program focused solely on residents age 55 and up.