NACPRO News

January 21, 2025

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Registration is Now Open for the 2025 Special Park District Forum
Courtesy of Huron Clinton Metroparks

June 9-12, 2025 - Southeast Michigan

Together, we will explore the theme of “Parks for All” We invite adventurous park professionals, community leaders, and advocates to come together, share openly, and reflect on our shared commitment to providing positive park and recreation opportunities to each and every member of our community. Attendees will have the opportunities to exchange best practices and emerging trends and engage in exciting and interactive sessions that will both inspire and empower them to foster greater equity and environmental justice in their own communities.

NACPRO will be holding our annual meeting in conjunction with the 2025 Forum. The board meeting is scheduled for the evening of June 11 and awards banquet on June 12.

Secure your spot by February 7, 2025, to enjoy the early bird rate of $233 per day. 

Learn more:
https://www.metroparks.com/spdf/#REGISTRATION

Mr. Edward Martinez
Deputy Director
Bernalillo County Parks, Recreation & Open Space
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Ms. Shelby Hoffman
Manager III
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
Sarasota, Florida

Mr. Daniel Schewlakow
Manager II
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
Sarasota, Florida

Tap into our collective experience. Send your question and some background to the editor and we will include it in the next NACPRO News.

Did you know Pilot Rock has custom fabrication capabilities?
Courtesy of Pilot Rock

We can take on your idea and turn it into a finished product. Whether it's designing, cutting, fabricating, welding, or all of the above, we can help.

Learn more:
https://www.pilotrock.com/videos/detail/24/

County Parks Director Recognized for Two Prestigious Awards
Courtesy of the Sun Times News

MICHIGAN - Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission (WCPARC) is excited to announce two recent awards given to Director Coy Vaughn, recognizing his leadership at the County. 

The first award was given by County Administrator Greg Dill at the annual Washtenaw County awards recognition luncheon on December 11, 2024. He presented Vaughn with the Leadership Award citing his 17 years of service in various County departments, most recently at the helm of County Parks since 2017.  

On December 17, the Sierra Club of Huron Valley presented Vaughn with the George Sexton Public Servant of the Earth Award, which recognizes the contribution of local government employees and commission members whose efforts have helped protect our local environment.

Read more:
https://thesuntimesnews.com/county-parks-director-recognized-for-two-prestigious-awards/


Some LA parks are reopening. For others, it’s a long road to recovery.
Courtesy of the LA Public Press

By Ashley Orona

CALIFORNIA - Most Los Angeles City parks are expected to reopen on Thursday after being closed due to the ongoing fires and wind advisories. Seven locations will remain closed, as well as recreation centers serving as emergency shelters, and those requiring extended closures from fire damage. “They just have to clean up all the debris and make sure everything is clear,” said Rose Watson, the spokesperson for the LA City Department of Recreation and Parks. 

As of Thursday, LA County has reopened many of their trails, nature centers, and natural areas. Indoor programs have also resumed. However, six aquatic centers, three parks and Eddie Heredia Boxing Club in East LA will remain closed. Areas directly affected by the Eaton fire such as Eaton Canyon natural area, will remain closed until further notice.  

Since the fires are still active, LA County trails staff has been unable to go safely on site and assess the damage, according to Michelle O’Connor, who oversees trails planning for LA County parks. She said that from what is visible to them from certain access points, it appears that there is “extensive damage” to many trails.

Read more:
https://lapublicpress.org/2025/01/fire-recovery-parks-reopen-closed/


LA County Parks Launches Emergency Care Camps For Wildfire-Affected Youth
Courtesy of Pasadena Now

CALIFORNIA - The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is establishing care camps designed to assist families under mandatory evacuations, displaced due to the fires, or directly affected by the wildfires. The initiative will create a supportive space where children age 5-12 can learn, play, and thrive while parents focus on recovery efforts.

“The events from this week have been tragic and traumatic experiences for all of our communities, but especially for residents displaced by the wildfires that have swept through many parts of our County. We want to support the emotional and physical well-being of children and families during these challenging times. LA County Parks is partnering with the Dodgers Foundation, the Natural History Museum, the La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles County Arboretum, LA Philharmonic and Altadena Libraries, to provide field trips, activities, and nutrition at no cost to families. It takes a community to rebuild, and we are determined to do our part,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

Read more:
https://www.pasadenanow.com/weekendr/la-county-parks-launches-emergency-care-camps-for-wildfire-affected-youth/


Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program
Courtesy of Rails to Trails Conservancy

The Federal Highway Administration announced the inaugural round of funding for the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP). The first round of ATIIP funding provided nearly $45 million for active transportation networks and was oversubscribed by applications at a ratio of 40 to 1, with 350 communities requesting $1.8 billion.

Congratulations to NACPRO member agency Nashville Metro, who received $9.3 million for the East Nashville Spokes project!

Read more:
https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ACTIVE-TRANSPORTATION-INFRASTRUCTURE-IMPROVEMENT-PROGRAM-ATIIP-FY2023-Grant-Project-Summaries.pdf


Forest Preserves Gives College Students Hands-On Experience Like No Other
Courtesy of Forest Preserves of Cook County

ILLINOIS - For more than 14 years, the Forest Preserves of Cook County has partnered with universities to offer sessions of hands-on fieldwork that few classrooms can replicate. Led by experts like Chris Anchor, the Forest Preserves’ senior wildlife biologist, the program provides an immersive experience in how invasive research—work that involves capturing and handling animals—helps answer critical questions about wildlife health and behavior.

Students at schools like OSU, Purdue University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and University of Wisconsin-Madison/Stevens Point learn to safely handle animals, collect vital data and gain insight into the complex dynamics between humans and wildlife in an urban environment.

Read more:
https://fpdcc.com/forest-preserves-provides-college-students-hands-on-experience-like-no-other/

DNR and Baltimore City Take Next Step in Establishing Gwynns Falls as a ‘Partnership Park’
Courtesy of Maryland DNR

MARYLAND - Gwynns Falls is Baltimore City’s largest park and among the largest urban woodland parks in the country. This 1,000-plus acre greenspace in the Western part of the city is an invaluable ecological and community resource that includes old-growth forests, miles of trails, historic structures, recreational and educational programming, and critical habitat for birds and wildlife inside an urban area.

To maximize resources, meet local needs, and promote partnership to create the best experience at Gwynn Falls, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is collaborating with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP) and the Office of Mayor Brandon Scott to establish Gwynns Falls State Park as a “partnership park” jointly managed and maintained by the state and the city.

Read more:
https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2025/01/03/dnr-and-baltimore-city-take-next-step-in-establishing-gwynns-falls-as-a-partnership-park/


From Plans to Parks: Learning from Lewisville
Courtesy of NRPA

By Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP

TEXAS- During the 2024 National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Annual Conference, I attended a session that recounted the inspiring story of Lewisville’s journey of addressing park access challenges in an underserved area called “the Triangle.” The session highlighted how the city transformed its approach to community engagement and planning, beginning with a simple statement from residents: “We don’t have a park here.” This moment of clarity sparked a movement to place park access and equity at the forefront of the city’s plans, breaking down barriers and building trust with residents, businesses and organizations in the Triangle.

Hearing how Lewisville leveraged data, mapping and authentic community collaboration to create transformative change reinforced the value of our work through the 10-Minute Walk study. It also underscored the importance of addressing inequities not just in parks and recreation, but in all aspects of city services.

Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/blog/from-plans-to-parks-learning-from-lewisville/


Park Champion Initiative Expands
Courtesy of NRPA

Looking to become an advocate for parks and recreation? NRPA’s signature grassroots advocacy program is launching a new training to help level up your advocacy skills. Building on the storytelling and power mapping sessions, this new training will help you design your own Park Champion Initiative and develop an advocacy network in your community. 

Learn more:
https://learning.nrpa.org/products/park-champion-initiative-asynchronistic#tab-product_tab_overview


Fighting Loneliness With Parks and Third Places
Courtesy of Planetizen

By Hazel Borys

Henderson discusses the increasing issue of loneliness and emphasizes the importance of ‘third places’ — informal gathering spots like coffee shops, libraries, and parks — in fostering community connections. It references sociologist Ray Oldenburg's concept of third places as essential community anchors that encourage interaction and civic engagement. The decline of these spaces, due to factors like longer work hours and the rise of digital interactions, has contributed to social isolation.

Parks are highlighted as vital social hubs that offer accessible environments for both social and solitary activities, serving as egalitarian spaces that promote inclusion and well-being. The article underscores the need to revitalize downtown areas by integrating hybrid spaces and green areas to combat loneliness and enhance community resilience.

Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2025/01/133812-lost-and-found-fighting-loneliness-parks-and-third-places


Resources for an Inclusive Trail Sector
Courtesy of American Trails

This document from The Trans Canada Trail provides links to websites, articles, videos, and other media that offer a variety of perspectives – from personal accounts to ideas, guidelines, and case studies of inclusion initiatives undertaken by trail groups. Take the Trans Canada Trail Inclusion Assessment Tool to see if your organization is a positive environment for all.

Read more:
https://www.americantrails.org/resources/resources-for-an-inclusive-trail-sector


First Draft of National Nature Assessment Underway, Public Comment Expected in 2025
Courtesy of the U.S. Global Change Research Program

The writing teams for the First National Nature Assessment (NNA1) are on track to complete their first chapter drafts by Feb. 11, 2025. After multiple rounds of review and revisions, including feedback from federal agencies, a full draft of the NNA1 will be released for public comment in fall 2025 via a Federal Register Notice.

The draft will also be submitted to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for peer review. NNA1 is scheduled for release in late 2026.

The NNA aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the nation's ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources. Additional details, including scope, content, and timeline, are available on the National Nature Assessment webpage.

Read more:
https://globalchange.gov/our-work/national-nature-assessment


Pikes Peak stakeholders ask state to help manage recreation around America’s Mountain
Courtesy of the Colorado Sun

By Jason Blevins

COLORADO - As federal land managers navigate shrinking budgets, Colorado Parks and Wildlife could assume a larger role in managing recreation on public lands around Pikes Peak. 

The plan first floated by the Outdoor Pikes Peak Initiative has been simmering for more than a year after several years of study revealed overwhelmed and under-resourced communities and land managers dealing with a tsunami of recreation visits across the Pikes Peak region, which spans a checkerboard of land controlled by cities, counties, the Forest Service, the BLM and a water-guarding utilities department. 

Read more:
https://coloradosun.com/2025/01/16/pikes-peak-cpw-recreation-management/


Oakland County touts successful first year of program to help residents install rain barrels, gardens, trees
Courtesy of Fox2 Detroit

By Amber Eikenberry

MICHIGAN - A pilot program designed to help Oakland County residents manage stormwater by installing rain barrels, rain gardens, and other green stormwater infrastructure has just completed its first year - and it was a successful start, according to the Water Resources Commissioner.

The RainSmart Rebates program provides grants and rebates for residents who add rain gardens, barrels, and native trees to their yards. These measures help keep rainwater out of the sewer system by collecting water before it can make its way to storm drains.

The program was awarded a 2024 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties.

Read more:
https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/oakland-county-touts-successful-first-year-program-help-residents-install-rain-barrels-gardens-trees

Unleashed: Off-leash Dog Park Design Trends and Planning Tips
Courtesy of PlayCore

January 29, 2025 - 2:00 to 3:15 pm EST
Registration Code: COMMUNITY

The Unleashed: Off-leash Dog Park Design Trends and Planning Tips guidebook helps communities effectively advocate for the many benefits of off-leash dog parks. Dog parks provide enjoyable ways to recreate and exercise for both dog owners and their dogs. They also create community destinations. Research shows there are many positive effects for individuals that own a dog(s); as well as health and social benefits of owning a dog, caring for it, and recreating outdoors with pets.

Learn more:
https://learning.nrpa.org/products/park-champion-initiative-asynchronistic#tab-product_tab_overview

NEW – Deputy Director
Genesee County Parks
Flint, Michigan
$84,704 - $106,651 Annually
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Neighborhood Engagement and Education Manager
Great Parks
Cincinnati, Ohio
$24.48 - $30.60 Hourly
Application Deadline: Feb 9, 2025

Park Ranger
Metroparks Toledo, Ohio
$22.66 - $33.57 Hourly
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Deputy Director of Finance
Lake County Forest Preserves
Libertyville, Illinois
$106,017 - $158,899 Annually
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Executive Director
Addison Park District, Illinois
$100,000 - $140,000 Annually
Application Deadline: Jan 31, 2025

Manager of Park Ranger Operations
Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation
San Jose, California
$168,490 - $168,344 Annually
Application Deadline: Jan 31, 2025

Manager of Park Maintenance Services
Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation
San Jose, California
$138,490 - $168,344 Annually
Application Deadline: Feb 3, 2025

Community Services Director
Desert Recreation District
Indio, California
$158,398.00 Annually
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Executive Director
Byron Forest Preserve District
Byron, Illinois
$110,000 - $160,000 Annually
Application Deadline: Feb 7, 2025

For more information:
https://nacpro.mcjobboard.net/jobs

Got a vacancy to fill? 
NACPRO will post your vacancy on our website and email a copy to our mailing list of over 1200 parks and recreation professionals for a fee of $100 for NACPRO members and $200 for non-members.