NACPRO News

August 26, 2025

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Mr. Alan Jaros
Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation
Oakland County Parks & Recreation
Waterford, Michigan

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

Sharpen Your Skills Before the Season Starts
Courtesy of Pilot Rock

Get ready for season opener with Pilot Rock's Marksman Shooting Table — engineered for durability, comfort, and precision. Crafted by seasoned marksmen, this all-steel shooting bench is built to deliver stability and performance year after year, no matter the weather.

Read more:
https://www.pilotrock.com/series/site-amenities/marksman-shooting-table-mst-1-series/

Cleveland Metroparks board approves Flats riverfront development
Courtesy of Cleveland.com

By Rich Exner

OHIO - The 4.29-acre site between Merwin’s Wharf and the Center Street (Swing) Bridge includes familiar buildings such as the former Grain Craft silos and the old Catanese Classics seafood building. Both could be preserved under a redevelopment plan expected to seek state historic tax credits this fall.

Metroparks officials say they will retain a 30-foot strip of land along the Cuyahoga River to extend a public trail from Settlers Landing to Rivergate Park. The project complements broader efforts to expand public access to the Flats and strengthen connections along the river.

Read more:
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2025/08/cleveland-metroparks-board-approves-flats-riverfront-development.html


Johnson County takes steps toward new 3,000-acre park on old ammunition plant
Courtesy of the Kansas City Star

By Taylor O'Connor

KANSAS - The Johnson County Parks and Recreation District has an opportunity to add about 2,000 acres from portions of the former Sunflower Ammunition Plant through a historic transfer agreement between the federal government and the county. Once completed, it would create the county’s largest park.

As the County’s population grows and more development comes in, the park’s addition is a chance for the county to keep green space, preserve native prairie land and enhance its trail systems, county officials say.

Read more:
https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article311695508.html

Akron Bets Big on Parks to Revitalize Downtown
Courtesy of Governing

By Jared Brey

OHIO - The Ohio and Erie Canal towpath runs nearly 100 miles from the shores of Lake Erie in Cleveland to New Philadelphia, Ohio. For decades it was traveled mostly by mules, tugging barges up and down the canal in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today it’s being converted into a multi-use recreational trail, with biking and walking paths winding through northeast Ohio towns and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Right in the middle of the trail is a three-mile stretch running through downtown Akron, the fifth biggest city in Ohio, with a population just shy of 200,000. Improving the trail — and its adjacent public spaces — has become a central focus for the city of Akron and a network of nonprofit partners in recent years, in the hopes that the revitalization will draw investment to Akron’s languishing downtown.

Read more:
https://www.governing.com/infrastructure/akron-bets-big-on-parks-to-revitalize-downtown


In On The Joke: What can we learn from humorous parks & rec social media?
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation Business +

By Laura Wheatman Hill

Arguably, the best social media content of the moment has come from the National Park Service’s Instagram and X/Twitter accounts. NPS has accounts on other channels as well, though not all are the same flavor, which is based on humorous, often topical, but never political memes, photos, and text. 

Humor brings people together. When people laugh, they share. Therefore, humor is a great social media and marketing strategy. Creating memorable content comes down to understanding why humor works and how NPS harnesses it.

In stand-up comedy terms, NPS always "punches up." Punching up is the idea that it's okay to make fun of someone in power, but never someone from a marginalized community or inferior position. 

Read more:
https://flipbooklets.com/pdfflipbooklets/prb-august-2025?ref=prbplus.com#page44


High Performance Leadership Academy
Courtesy of NACo

In today's fast-paced world, change is the only constant. While many organizations merely react to change, the most successful ones lead it. This requires a proactive approach that inspires teams, fosters collaboration and effectively navigates transitions. A strong foundation in change management is crucial for any professional looking to make a lasting impact.

The public sector, in particular, is experiencing a period of unprecedented transformation. Leaders are grappling with major shifts like the integration of AI into daily operations, the push for more resilient infrastructure and the need to deliver efficient services that put our residents at the center.

The NACo High Performance Leadership Academy is a virtual 12-week program with proven outcomes equipping frontline county professionals with practical leadership skills. The NACo HPLA training, led by our partners at the Professional Development Academy, prepares county leaders for success. 

Be a part of this renewed partnership by joining the final cohort of the 2025 High Performance Leadership Academy, kicking off September 15.

Read more:
https://edge.naco.org/naco-high-performance-leadership-academy


E-Bikes on Public Lands: Mountain Bikes vs. Electronic Mountain Bikes Trail Rider Research
Courtesy of American Trails

This presentation explores the sites and methodologies being used to expand research in the Moab, Utah area. Common concerns about ebike usage on public trails will be outlined, and the perspective of the Utah State Parks, where ebikes have been allowed for years, will be introduced, along with the implications for collaboration and joint trail systems should these studies result in a change in federal policy.

Read more:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P93CNco9BU9drYWXwJSn_yNsYGmPBndn/view?blm_aid=24243


Access Trax Mats
Courtesy of GRIT

Access Trax Mats are portable, lightweight, foldable mat system designed to create stable, accessible pathways over uneven terrain—such as sand, gravel, dirt, grass, mulch, and snow. It provides greater independence and ease of movement for wheelchair users, walkers, strollers, and more, whether at the beach, park, campsite, or outdoor event.

Read more:
https://www.gogrit.us/access-trax-1/


Connecting Residents to Nature with Tech
Courtesy of Government Technology

By Noelle Knell

Local government officials are finding interesting ways to connect residents to the natural world using new tools as well. Some of this innovation is built using publicly available APIs for popular data sets. One interesting example is from Sandy Springs, Ga., where the city’s digital development team spotted an opportunity in a popular city park frequented by bird watchers.

They were able to take advantage of several existing assets, including the city’s network of digital kiosks, as well as fiber that was placed recently to connect security cameras in the park. Accessing the localized data through the eBird API, they built an application that could feed it to their digital signage player. They developed a prototype website, worked through some image quality and caching issues, and went live with the visual display earlier this summer.

Read more:
https://www.govtech.com/civic/out-of-office-connecting-residents-to-nature-with-tech


Denver should be leader of the pack, but instead capital city is behind Colorado towns when it comes to dog do-do
Courtesy of the Colorado Sun

 By Christina M. Noto

COLORADO - The average dog produces 274 pounds of waste per year, and Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, estimates that roughly 236,000 dogs live in Denver. Let’s do the math … that’s 64.6 million pounds of dog poop produced by Denver’s dogs each year. Dog waste composting may seem far-fetched, but some cities and towns in Colorado developed successful pilot programs. For example, Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, or OSMP, first piloted its program in 2014, and now has compostable bags and waste receptacles at 20 access points.

Read more:
https://coloradosun.com/2025/08/12/opinion-denver-dog-poop-program/


Is the Future of Solar in our Sidewalks?
Courtesy of Planetizen

By Jennifer Cole

If the Thompson Rivers University's (TRU) solar array had been installed on a roof or mounted above ground in a corner of a soccer field, that probably would have been the end of the story. Instead, TRU didn’t follow trends — it set one: It became the first place in Canada to embed solar panels into the ground. By 2017, a 12-meter walkway with 16 solar modules near the campus daycare, together with a compass (sunburst) design of 62 modules in front of the arts and education building, were producing power. By its second summer of operation, the compass produced enough electricity to power an entire classroom of computers at TRU’s arts and education building for the day.

Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/features/135708-future-solar-our-sidewalks

Parked Vehicles Significantly Intensify Urban Warming
Courtesy of Carbon Copy

A new study revealed that parked cars play a much larger role in intensifying the urban heat island (UHI) effect, the phenomenon describing warmer temperatures in urban landscapes compared to surrounding rural areas. The report by the City and Environment Interactions showed that thermal and radiative properties of cars, especially when they are stationary, alter urban surface properties and contribute to heat retention in cities.

The research showed that in Lisbon, dark-colored vehicles made the air around them 3.8°C hotter compared to the nearby asphalt road. This is because car parts, like thin metal surfaces, and dark paint soak up a lot of sunlight and heat up very quickly, which can create temporary “hotspots” that make it even hotter for people walking by. 

Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/features/135708-future-solar-our-sidewalks

Green Schoolyards Gain Momentum Across Southern California
Courtesy of Planetizen 

By Clement Lau 

Schoolyard greening projects in Southern California have reached a major milestone, fueled by $150 million in state grants approved in 2022. About a dozen organizations are transforming asphalt-covered campuses into green spaces, providing shade, vegetation, and safer play areas for students. Advocates say the work is urgently needed as many children attend schools in areas with little tree canopy and extreme heat, with asphalt temperatures reaching 142 degrees in some San Fernando Valley campuses.

Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2025/08/135800-green-schoolyards-gain-momentum-across-southern-california

Introducing Planning the Wild: A New Podcast for Recreation Professionals
Courtesy of SORP

The Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals is excited to announce the launch of Planning the Wild, a podcast created for U.S. Forest Service professionals, recreation planners, and partners working to enhance outdoor recreation experiences. Whether you're navigating NEPA and forest planning processes, designing sustainable infrastructure, or managing visitor use, Planning the Wild is your go-to resource for actionable insights and strategies. Each episode features expert interviews, field-based stories, and tools to help you make informed decisions that support both public access and sustainable stewardship.

Listen here:
https://www.recpro.org/resources--reports/podcast

Uncharted Access: Understanding and Removing Barriers on River Trails
Courtesy of the River Management Society

September 9
3:30-4:30 ET on Zoom

Access to rivers isn’t always simple, especially for people with disabilities or those who benefit from accessible design. This River Management Roundtable will explore common barriers, from unclear signage to physical obstacles and exclusive programming, through the perspectives of those most affected. Participants will learn from real-world examples, reflect on challenges in their own work, and contribute to research aimed at improving access along our nation’s river trails. 

Learn more


September Topic for Somebody Should... Climate Resilience and the Human Body – Protecting Outdoor Workers on the Frontlines
Courtesy of ActivEnviro

September 11, 2025, 3:30 – 5:00 pm ET

Topic Leader: Justin Cutler, Commissioner of Atlanta Parks and Recreation

Join us for a dynamic and timely online conversation exploring the intersection of climate resilience, human health, and the essential work of parks, recreation, and related quality of life professionals. As climate change accelerates, extreme weather—heat waves, poor air quality, intense storms—poses increasing risks to outdoor workers responsible for maintaining our vital green spaces.

Read more:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvdeyrqTwuH9wLuKERuG8oleA_5tZxNmtL#/registration


Webinar: Pet Waste in the Green Cart - How Calgary Makes It Work
Courtesy of the Enviro Pet Waste Network

Sept. 25, 2025 - EDT 4 pm, CDT 3 pm, MDT 2 pm, PDT 1 pm
FREE

Calgary’s Waste & Recycling Services runs waste reduction and diversion programs and services, collects waste, and manages landfills for residential and commercial customers. The city accepts dog waste plus cat litter in the same green cart as food and yard waste as part of its residential organics composting program. Find out how this Canadian city addresses pet waste disposal challenges:

• Compost processing controls (pathogens, odors)
• Plastic contamination
• Public education
• Outreach strategies 

Read more:
https://www.epwn.org/post/free-september-webinar


NOHVCC Releases Draft Agenda for the 2025 Annual Conference

Bend, Oregon - October 9-11

The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) is excited to announce that the draft agenda for the 2025 Annual Conference is now available. This year’s conference will feature a unique and breathtaking mobile workshop. Riders will enjoy a three-and-a-half-hour journey from Sisters to Santiam Pass, with stunning mountain views along the way. At the summit, attendees can take in panoramic vistas while engaging with exhibitors and demonstrations hosted by local Oregon partners.

Read more:
https://www.nohvcc.org/annual-conference/


2026 National Outdoor Recreation Conference - Call for Proposals
Courtesy of SORP

Duluth, Minnesota - May 11-14

This year’s theme, Outdoor Recreation Pathways to Restoration and Revitalization, highlights how outdoor recreation can serve as a catalyst for healthier communities, resilient places, and innovative systems. We are seeking proposals that offer actionable insights, inspire collaboration, and reflect forward-thinking approaches across five conference tracks:

• Building and Sustaining Recreation Infrastructure – Practical strategies for resilient and climate-ready systems.
•  Advancing Belonging and Quality of Life – Inclusive design and access that strengthen community well-being.
• Engaging Communities & Navigating Governance – Collaborative approaches that build trust and shared stewardship.
• Regional and Cultural Approaches – Planning rooted in regional identity, culture, and history.
• Innovation and the Future of Outdoor Recreation – Bold ideas, new models, and emerging technologies.

Proposals due: October 20, 2025

Read more:
https://www.recpro.org/professional-development/national-outdoor-recreation-conference

NEW – Safety & Risk Manager
Great Parks
Cincinnati, Ohio
$74,454 - $93,068
Application Deadline: Sep 22, 2025

NEW - Regional Project Delivery Manager
Great Parks
Cincinnati, Ohio
$83,378 - $104,223 Annually
Application Deadline: Sep 18, 2025

NEW - Director of Parks and Recreation
City of Omaha, Nebraska
$160,000 - $180,000 Annually
Application Deadline: Sep 19, 2025

Deputy Director
Bernalillo County Parks, Recreation & Open Space
Albuquerque, New Mexico
$89,128 - $140,733 Annually
Application Deadline: Sep 2, 2025

Human Resources Administrator
Great Parks
Cincinnati, Ohio
$20.23 - $29.25 Hourly
Application Deadline: Aug 29, 2025

Landscape Designer - Parks Planner III
Sarasota County Government
Sarasota, Florida
$67,246 - $80,018 Annually
Application Deadline: Aug 29, 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 $125 for NACPRO members and $250 for non-members.