NACPRO News

May 14, 2025

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Counting Park and Trail Visitors

What type of technology does your agency use to count park and trail users? We use counters to track how many vehicles enter our parks and how many people use our trails. Counters are placed at various entrances and access points. However, our counters have been used for a couple decades now, and the technology is outdated. We are exploring various companies, including All Traffic Solutions, Eco-Counter, Arrivalist and CitiesAi, but some are quite expensive.

We would like to hear success stories from agencies whose technology has been fairly accurate and reliable.

Erich Braun
Parks Superintendent
Polk County Conservation, Iowa
515.323.5366
[email protected]

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

Dogs trained to detect this invasive species in Cleveland Metroparks
Courtesy of Fox8

By Jennifer Jordan and Jordan Unger

OHIO - It’s that time of year again — the spotted lanternfly is making its way back to Ohio. This season, however, the fight against the invasive insect is started a little earlier with help from a few four-legged recruits. The Cleveland Metroparks is using four trained dogs to help detect spotted lanternfly egg masses. Dogs can sniff out the eggs which are typically found on plant surfaces and can be scraped off and destroyed.

Read more:
https://fox8.com/news/dogs-trained-to-detect-this-invasive-species-in-cleveland-metroparks/

Tackling Soil Contamination With Nature-Based Solutions
Courtesy of Planetizen

By Clement Lau

CALIFORNIA - In the wake of the Eaton and Palisades wildfires, many Los Angeles residents are grappling with concerns about toxic soil contamination — not just from ash and smoke, but also from decades of industrial, agricultural, and residential pollution. Soil tests conducted by the L.A. Times in various burn areas revealed alarming levels of lead, zinc, and high alkalinity, though results varied widely. Notably, even areas that did not burn showed dangerous levels of heavy metals like lead and arsenic, often lingering from lead-based paints and outdated fertilizers. While scraping away the topsoil is a common remediation method, experts warn it's unsustainable and can destroy the vital layer plants rely on.

As alternatives to excavation, many Angelenos are turning to in-place remediation techniques such as mulching, hugelkultur, and phytoremediation — using fungi, minerals like zeolite, and toxin-absorbing plants like sunflowers and corn. Landscape designers Shawn Maestretti and Leigh Adams, both of whom lost homes in the Eaton Fire, are leading by example, nurturing their fire-scorched landscapes through decades-old soil-building techniques. Community groups like Plant Community have also implemented sheet mulching and raised beds in South L.A., allowing formerly incarcerated individuals to safely grow food and reconnect with nature despite elevated soil toxins.

Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2025/04/134855-tackling-soil-contamination-nature-based-solutions


Urban Parks Can Support People and Biodiversity—if They Are Designed With Both in Mind
Courtesy of City Parks Alliance

By Kiley Price

Research shows that parks are crucial for supporting city dwellers—people or the surprising abundance of animals that inhabit urban wildlands. However, designing parks with both in mind can be a tall task. Bright lights are good for human safety, but can be disruptive to insect populations. Tall grass provides habitat for pollinators and mammals, though it can be tough to navigate for urban residents who are just trying to get a rare breath of fresh air. A new study finds there doesn’t always have to be an “either/or”—certain attributes of urban green spaces benefit people and wildlife. 

Read more:
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/18042025/todays-climate-urban-parks-support-people-biodiversity/


Here's why some planners say creating public parks boosts commercial development
Courtesy of costar.com

By Andy Peters

When the NFL in 2014 named Minneapolis host city for Super Bowl LII, local leaders realized they needed to create more public space for fans to gather before and after the big game. Though they didn't know it, officials were also about to add credence to a high-stakes theory in commercial real estate development. As it turned out, Downtown East Commons Park provided more than an outdoor plaza for football fans: Since opening in 2016, property development has followed, including the residential tower and an office building for financial-services. 

Minneapolis is one of five U.S. cities that raised public parks spending from 2011 to 2021 and saw a subsequent jump in economic development. The same correlation between increased spending on parks and added commercial development was also found in two large cities, Atlanta and Boston, and two smaller cities, Plano, Texas, and Boise, Idaho.

Read more:
https://www.costar.com/article/1808825147/heres-why-some-planners-say-creating-public-parks-boosts-commercial-development


Equity in Grantmaking
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation +

By Timothy Kenney

WASHINGTON - One of King County's programs, the Healthy Communities and Parks Fund (established in 2020), designates $10 million in grant funding over six years for cities, towns, tribal organizations, and community-based organizations to “increase access to and the use of parks, open space, and public recreation facilities in underserved communities.” Over the last three years, the Healthy Communities and Parks Fund has awarded $6.7 million to 106 projects across King County, ranging in size from a $10,000 grant to support adaptive hiking programs for people with disabilities to a $225,000 award to a Latino nonprofit building capacity in its mission to create a community center and recreation space. This grant program has become one of the department’s most popular, with 27 percent growth in the number of applicants in the last three years.

Read more:
https://flipbooklets.com/pdfflipbooklets/prb-may-2025?ref=prbplus.com#page20


New report details economic trends in public lands counties
Courtesy of NACo

A new report from the National Center for Public Lands Counties seeks to understand the county landscape and the impact of public lands on counties by examining local economic trends.

• Background: 62% of counties contain federally owned land — land that’s exempt from property taxes but still requires counties to provide essential services to both residents and visitors.
• Growth vs. decline: The report indicates that while some public lands counties experience economic growth, others face stagnation, especially those in rural or high-share public land counties.
• Common thread: Regardless of land share or economic trend, all public lands counties struggle with resource gaps that strain their ability to meet growing demands.

Read more:
https://www.naco.org/resource/split-story-economic-trends-public-lands-counties


Report: America Needs More Public Lands, Not Less
Courtesy of the Trust for Public Land

The popularity and the value of public lands to the millions of Americans who treasure them is clear. Yet there are worrying developments in Washington, where officials are advancing proposals to reduce our public lands, either by transferring them to states, selling them to private interests—or some combination. The fact is we need more public lands, not less.

Download:
https://www.tpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TPL_Special_Report_We_Need_More_Public_Lands_Not_Less.pdf


Joining the Big Leagues
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation +

By Gian Barzaga

FLORIDA - The launch of the Hialeah Elite reflects the city’s commitment to nurturing young athletic talent and honoring residents’ passion for basketball. Known for its vibrant culture and passionate community, Hialeah has long been a hub for local sports, but the new program represents a bold step forward. Hialeah Elite is designed to offer young athletes a higher level of competition and exposure, bridging the gap between recreational play and elite basketball and enabling them to compete at regional and national levels. During the inaugural season, all participating players accessed several opportunities, including participation in practices at local high school gyms and elite training from high school coaches. Many participants were invited to join various team practices, and eight of the 10 players joined high school rosters for the fall season. 

Read more:
https://flipbooklets.com/pdfflipbooklets/prb-may-2025?ref=prbplus.com#page28


Bipartisan Group In House Of Representatives Forms Public Lands Caucus
Courtesy of National Parks Traveler

A Public Lands Caucus has formed in the U.S. House of Representatives, where the bipartisan group says it will work to conserve the nation's public lands while increasing access to them. The group of seven Republicans and seven Democrats includes Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Montana, a former Interior secretary, and Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-New Mexico, who earlier this year introduced the Public Lands in Public Hands Act.

Read more:
https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2025/05/bipartisan-group-house-representatives-forms-public-lands-caucus


Outdoor Recreation Industry Applauds Introduction of the America the Beautiful Act
Courtesy of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable

Today, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) celebrated the bipartisan introduction of the America the Beautiful Act by U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Mark Warner (D-VA). The legislation reauthorizes and strengthens the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), originally established through the Great American Outdoors Act, ensuring continued investments in public lands infrastructure, outdoor access, and the outdoor recreation economy. 

Read more:
https://recreationroundtable.org/news/outdoor-recreation-industry-applauds-introduction-of-the-america-the-beautiful-act/


Monitoring Recreation on Federally Managed Lands and Waters—Visitation Estimation
Courtesy of the USGS

Federally managed public lands and waters attract millions of visitors each year, generating significant economic benefits for surrounding communities. Accurate visitation data are crucial for guiding policy decisions and managing resources effectively. This report explores the methods employed by agencies to collect and use data on recreational visitation to Federal lands and waters. Visitation estimation practices across seven agencies are reviewed, revealing similarities such as the use of automated counters for on-site data collection, alongside differences in reporting frequencies, visit definitions, and public access to data. 

Read more:
https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/sir20255022

Billboard blitz across Ohio slams national park cuts
Courtesy of Axios Cleveland

By Sam Allard and Isaac Avilucea

More Perfect Union launched a multimillion-dollar national ad blitz in more than 40 cities decrying the gutting of "one of our nation's most treasured assets." The billboards warn of the potential consequences of National Park Service layoffs, like longer waits, more trash and dirty bathrooms. Nearly 70 of the group's 300 billboards are going up in Ohio, with signs installed along highways and major streets in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton.

Read more:
https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/05/06/more-perfect-union-trump-cuts-cuyahoga-valley-national-park


Parks and Technology Report
Courtesy of City Parks Alliance

In our new Parks and Technology report, we are cutting through the noise to help you navigate the opportunities, benefits, and challenges of using technology in urban parks. You’ll learn how technology can help you make data-driven decisions, manage park spaces, foster community engagement, advance equity, and expand storytelling about place. This report is your guide to harnessing tech to create smarter, more inclusive parks.

Learn more:
https://cityparksalliance.org/parks-and-technology/

Greater & Greener 2026 - Submit a Session Proposal
Courtesy of City Parks Alliance

Informational Webinar on May 19 at 1:00 PM ET

Share your park story at Greater & Greener 2026 as a speaker. Guided by our central premise that urban park systems are critical infrastructure for more equitable, resilient, and vibrant cities, we’ll host conversations where speakers and participants share how they are working with partners to tackle complex challenges in urban areas.City Parks Alliance members get priority for proposal selection. Confirm your membership status here and become a member. Speaker discounts will be available.Submit as soon as possible. We will close the portal after we receive 300 proposals or on August 1 at 8 pm ET, whichever comes first.

Learn more:
https://www.greatergreener.org/submit-a-session-proposal/


Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report
Courtesy of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable

Now in its 11th year, KOA’s Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report provides a detailed analysis of the outdoor hospitality industry, examining travel trends, camper demographics, and generational shifts. Over the past five years, the sector has grown significantly, with around 11 million more households camping in 2024 compared to 2019. The industry is expected to stabilize in 2025, with many campers returning to camping after participating in other forms of travel, along with an expected influx of new campers. It also offers key insights into today’s traveler, with consideration of recent political and economic changes.

Download:
https://koa.com/north-american-camping-report/

2025 In-Person Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Courses
Courtesy of NICP

May 12 - 16, 2025 - Basic Training, Carmel, CA

June 9 - 13, 2025 - Basic Training, Tampa, FL

June 23 - 27, 2025 - Basic Training, Aurora, CO

July 21 - 25, 2025 - Basic Training, Charleston, WV

July 29 - 31, 2025 - Advanced Training, Aurora, CO

September 15 - 19, 2025 - Basic Training, Las Vegas, NV

October 21 - 23, 2025 - Advanced Training, Las Vegas, NV

November 4 - 6, 2025 - Advanced Training, Tampa, FL

Online courses are also available.

Learn more:
https://thenicp.com/events/


Upcoming Webinars from American Trails

May 15, 2025 - Economic Benefits of Mountain Biking in the U.S.

May 22, 2025 - Plan Trails to Minimize Wildlife Disturbance

June 12, 2025 - Increasing LGBTQIA2S+ Inclusivity & Competency in the Outdoors

Learn more:
https://www.americantrails.org/training/webinars

NEW - Director of Corridor and Trail Development
Great Parks
Cincinnati, Ohio
$104,551 - $130,689
Application Deadline: Jun 9, 2025

NEW - Director of Site and Facility Development
Great Parks
Cincinnati, Ohio
$104,551 - $130,689 Annually
Application Deadline: Jun 9, 2025

NEW - Operations Supervisor
Macon County Conservation District
Decatur, Illinois
$60,000 - $70,000 Annually
Application Deadline: May 30, 2025

Manager - Parks & Recreation Education & Recreation Program Services
Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Waterford, Michigan
$103,705 - $138,945 Annually
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Program Manager II - Interagency Projects
Santa Clara County Parks
San Jose, California
$134,436 - $163,425 Annually
Application Deadline: May 16, 2025

Assistant Parks Director
Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District
Jurupa Valley, California
$144,338 - $214,383 Annually
Application Deadline: May 22, 2025

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Richland County Recreation Commission
Columbia, South Carolina
$55,000 - $60,000 Annually
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 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 1100 parks and recreation professionals for a fee of $125 for NACPRO members and $250 for non-members.