NACPRO News

March 3, 2026

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Mr. Ethan Watkins
Accomack County Parks & Recreation
Accomac, Virginia

Forest Preserves Earns Two Statewide Awards

ILLINOIS - Lake County Forest Preserves received two top honors from the Illinois Association of Park Districts and Illinois Park and Recreation Association Agency Showcase awards.

1st Place: Brochure Series—Print :: Horizons magazine

Judges praised Horizons magazine for its compelling design and storytelling, saying, “Your quarterly publications successfully bring readers to the Lake County Forest Preserves by simply picking them up. It is evident the publication design is well thought out.

2nd Place: Print Communication—Informational :: 2024 Preservation Foundation Annual Report

Judges also recognized the Preservation Foundation Annual Report, highlighting the work of the Forest Preserves’ charitable partner. One judge said, “Great use of mixed media. A lot of important information shared, but still in a fun, enjoyable way.”

Read more:
https://www.lcfpd.org/IPRA-26/

‘Micromobility’ Commission Recommends Improved Classification, Regulation of Motorbikes and Scooters
Courtesy of Streetsblog

By Christian MilNeil

A formal state commission is recommending that Massachusetts lawmakers take steps to more formally regulate small electric vehicles that have been raising safety concerns as they proliferate across the Commonwealth's roadways as a low-cost, efficient transportation option.

The group issued 16 public policy recommendations for lawmakers to consider, including several that would more precisely define and regulate different kinds of small electric vehicles based on their maximum speeds and engine power.

Read more:
https://mass.streetsblog.org/2026/02/27/micromobility-commission-recommends-improved-classification-regulation-of-motorbikes-and-scooters

Trails as talent magnet: Outdoor access is key part of West Michigan’s ‘why here’ conversation
Courtesy of Rapid Growth Media

By Tommy Allen

MICHIGAN - Tim Mroz, senior vice president of community development at The Right Place, says trails and outdoor access aren’t just a lifestyle perk; they’re now part of the recruitment conversation.

Wandel clearly understands what appeals to younger talent when discussing regional identity and the increasing interest in trails as cultural corridors. “They respond to work that feels authentic,” she said. “This younger generation appreciates it when things are less about flashy branding and more about the true identity of a place.”

Read more:
https://rapidgrowthmedia.com/trails-as-talent-magnet-outdoor-access-is-key-part-of-west-michigans-why-here-conversation/

Americans Demand Congress Fund Active Transportation In Next Infrastructure Bill — And Not Just The Bike/Walk Advocates
Courtesy of Streetsblog

By Gersh Kuntzman

More than 1,100 organizations and businesses — some obvious ones, but also some unusual suspects — are telling House Republicans that they don't want the same old car-centric surface transportation reauthorization this time around, but instead want to "enhance robust investments and safety provisions for bicycling and walking infrastructure" to keep America active and boost the economy.

Specifically, they urged Congress to protect the Transportation Alternatives Program, the largest source of federal funding for active transportation infrastructure in America, which is widely seen as the backbone of the movement to build walkable, bikable places.

Read more:
https://usa.streetsblog.org/2026/02/27/congress-fund-active-transportation-infrastructure-bill-sam-graves-sean-duffy-reauthorization

Lifeguarding For Kids
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation Business +

By Tyler Sultenfuss

FLORIDA - For decades, the Apollo Beach Racquet & Fitness Club has been a place where local children learned to swim, compete, and connect. Out of that legacy grew the Lifeguarding for Kids program, an innovative curriculum designed to teach children how to recognize danger, respond safely, and protect one another around the water.

The idea came from a simple yet powerful observation: kids are often the first to notice when something is wrong in the water. By equipping them with knowledge and practical rescue tools, they can act quickly and safely while alerting adults. The program bridges the gap between swim lessons and formal lifeguard training, creating confident young leaders who understand that water safety is everyone’s responsibility.

The curriculum is structured to fit within afterschool programs, camps, and aquatic centers. It combines classroom discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on practice in and around the pool. Children learn how to identify signs of distress, use reaching and throwing assists, and communicate effectively during emergencies. They also develop teamwork, leadership, and situational awareness—skills that extend beyond the water and into everyday life.

Read more:
https://content.prbplus.com/prb-march-2026-camp-business-idea-book?ref=prbplus.com#page60


The Voracious Vine That ‘Ate the South’ Can Also Fuel Wildfires
Courtesy of Inside Climate News

By Jaylan Sims

Nearly every Monday morning, five restorationists with Conserving Carolina guide volunteers through the steep hills of Norman Wilder Forest in Tryon, North Carolina. Armed with chainsaws, thick gloves and a pickaxe-like mattock, the group goes hunting for a wily prey: kudzu.

The forest’s most prominent features have been overtaken by the invasive vine. The “Kudzu Warriors” cut down what they find and pull up root crowns to try to prevent regrowth.

Reclaiming the landscape is only one of the kudzu volunteers’ motives. There’s an urgency to this work for another reason: the plant’s extreme wildfire risk.

Read more:
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/16022026/invasive-kudzu-vine-fuels-wildfires-in-the-south/

Table Tennis and Where Generations Meet
Courtesy of NRPA

By Clement Lau

After a long break, I recently started playing table tennis again when my parents moved into their new place. What began as a casual way to pass the time quickly turned into something more meaningful. My daughter picked up a paddle for the first time and immediately enjoyed it. My parents—now in their seventies—still play, their movements a bit slower but their instincts intact. Three generations now gather around the same table, laughing, missing easy shots, and celebrating the occasional perfect rally.

What strikes me most is how naturally table tennis brings us together. There is no sign-up sheet, no uniform, and no barrier to entry. We do not need to be equally skilled or fast. The game adapts to us, not the other way around. In a world where so much recreation feels segmented by age, ability, or experience, table tennis meets everyone where they are.

Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/blog/table-tennis-and-where-generations-meet/

Webinar Series: Access for All
Courtesy of SORP

All webinars are free

Webinars are hosted Wednesdays at 3pm ET / 2pm CT / 1pm MT / 12pm PT

Access for All is a four-part webinar series sharing practical strategies and case studies to improve accessibility and inclusion in outdoor recreation. Learn actionable approaches to expand participation, reduce barriers, and create more welcoming trails, parks, and programs for all. 

April 1:  Usable Trail Roundtable: Collaborative Approach to Adaptive Recreation

April 8:  Approaching Big Inclusivity Gaps as a Grassroots Trail Organization

April 15: Accessibility Doesn’t Stop Indoors: Extending Access to Trails

April 22: Women’s Groups and Social Support in Boosting Hunter Participation

Read more:
https://www.recpro.org/webinars

2026 Special Park District Forum - Early bird rate ends March 14

June 1-4, 2026 in Portland, Oregon

Each year, leaders and professionals from across the parks and recreation field come together for the Special Park Districts Forum (SPDF)—a one-of-a-kind event that fosters the exchange of best practices, exploration of emerging trends, and meaningful connections among peers throughout the country.

In 2026, SPDF will be co-hosted by two agencies: Metro and Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District.

Unlike traditional conferences, SPDF takes participants directly into the field—touring facilities, experiencing operations firsthand, and engaging in interactive site-based learning. This format creates deeper opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and relationship building that extend far beyond the meeting room.

Early bird pricing: $699. On March 15, General Attendee pricing will increase to $799.

Read more:
https://web.cvent.com/event/b520e285-bdd0-47e1-a393-94b7c6f1edac/regProcessStep1?i=rsLAgfoWPUOd3X1TH4c5fw&locale=en-US

2026 National Outdoor Recreation Conference
Courtesy of SORP

Registration has officially opened to everyone. With limited capacity and Field Workshops filling up, now is the time to get your registration in! You will be able to secure your preferred workshop, guarantee your registration before capacity is reached, and save your spot for the social event at the Great Lakes Aquarium.

NORC brings together more than 400 outdoor recreation professionals from across the country for learning, networking, and field-based experiences you won’t find anywhere else. This year’s theme, Restoration and Revitalization Through Outdoor Recreation, will highlight how recreation can help restore places, strengthen communities, and shape the future of our field.

Read more:
https://www.recpro.org/norc

NEW – Director of Finance and Administration
Great Rivers Greenway
St. Louis, Missouri
$130,000 - $160,000 Annually
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Director of Parks & Recreation
City of Goodyear, Arizona
$145,163 - $215,495 Annually
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities Director
City of Mesa, Arizona
$158,828 - $212,284 Annually
Application Deadline: Mar 13, 2026

Director - Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
Sarasota County Government - Sarasota, Florida
$150,000 - $160,000 Annually
Application Deadline: Open until filled

General Manager
San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department
City and County of San Francisco, California
$257,114 - $328,068 Annually
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Preserve Land Manager
Sarasota County Government
Sarasota, Florida
$57,578 - $63,002 Annually
Application Deadline: Open until filled

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

Got a vacancy to fill?
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