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National Recreation and Park Association

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Building strong, healthy and resilient communities through the #PowerOfParks and recreation.🏞️

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The day is finally here! Registration for the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference is open 🎉

Join us in Philadelphia on September 29 – October 1 to celebrate the transformative power of parks and recreation. Throughout your time in the city of brotherly love, you'll be able to connect with peers from across the country, hear from thought leaders, earn continuing education units and a whole lot more!

🔗Explore all the NRPA Annual Conference has to offer and register at the link in our bio.

#PowerOfParks #NRPAConference2026 by @nrpa

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2 months ago

Don’t miss out on early bird pricing! Register before August 7th‼️

The 2026 NRPA Annual Conference is coming to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this September 29 – October 1! This year’s conference promises influential keynote speakers, inspiring education sessions and a fun-filled exhibit hall. It’s also one of the best opportunities to network and connect with park and recreation professionals from across the country.

Learn more and register at the link in our bio!
#NRPAConference2026 #ThePowerOf by @nrpa

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When we play we learn. Learn about ourselves, others and community.
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Each time we move and play together we build on this knowledge. Local parks are spaces where all people, bodies and ages can come together and play the way they like. How are you increasing access to play for all?
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For Baltimore City Recreation & Parks they're offering opportunities that will empower women and girls in sports. They partnered with Special Olympics of Maryland to deliver targeted, specialized programming to Baltimore residents with disabilities and to promote equitable access to programs and facilities. This was a special moment for all the participants. Thank you for sharing your story through the 2026 Park and Recreation Month cover contest!
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#ThePowerOf #ParkAndRecMonth2026 #ParkAndRecMonth by @nrpa

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Since 1635, the Boston Commons has been used as a continuous open space. Its once-cow pastures have transformed into a place of recreation for the public.
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During its evolution, many individuals poured energy into the land. On this episode of Guardians of Greenspaces, Rukmini is joined by Cathy Baker-Eclipse and Josh Altidor in Boston and Jeff Atkins in St. Joseph. Together, they discuss the current process of maintaining thriving historic parks. Listen to the episode at the link in our bio.

For a limited time only, share your thoughts on an episode within two weeks of the drop for a chance to win a FREE 2026 NRPA Annual Conference registration!
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@scottsmiraclegro

#GuardiansofGreenspaces #PowerOfParks #SustainableParks #ClimateResilient by @nrpa

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3 days ago

Each year, we ask for photos that encapsulate the energy and impact of your local parks. It isn't shocking that the photos and stories never disappoint. Each image captures such joy and wonder.
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The Open Space Radio team was able to sit down with two agencies who shared photos with us last July. Give the episode a listen and keep an eye out as we continue to share these memories all month and beyond.
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In this episode you'll hear from Shannon Barrett, recreation coordinator for City of Kerman, Parks, Recreation and Community Services, on their Walk With Ease program and Danielle Bachelder, senior parks manager for Broward County Parks and Recreation, on their Pony Tales program. We were also joined by participants like Kylie who has been participating in the Pony Tales program by reading some of her own stories to the horses.
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Listen to the episode at the link in our bio.
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Special thanks to our sponsors for this season of Open Space Radio, @bciburke
#PowerOfParks #ParksAndRecMonth #OpenSpaceRadio by @nrpa

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4 days ago

May the power of parks protect you💫 #MotivationalMemeMonday #ThePowerOf #ParkAndRecMonth2026 @josebilingue by @nrpa

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5 days ago

It's the best day of the year!🥳 Happy Park and Recreation Professionals day!!!
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Thank you to all the park and recreation professionals who build strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation! Let's get out to a local park this weekend and spend some time in the spaces they care so deeply for.
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In Talbot County, their parks and recreation program coordinator Ellie Kilmon and assistant director LaDarian Blake engage families during the county's "Play Across Talbot" event series, a community-wide celebration designed to introduce residents to local parks, programs, and recreation opportunities in July, Parks and Recreation Month. The event brought together a wide range of community partners from the library to Phillips Wharf Environmental Center (brought critters), Off Course Disc Golf, local museum partners, and more all working together to create afternoons of play, learning, and connection for families across the County.
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Park and Recreation Professionals Day originally began with the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society as a statewide celebration in 2019. Learn more about the day at the link in our bio.
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#ThePowerOf #ParkAndRecMonth2026 #NRPAParkandRecDay Two people smiling in front of a park pavilion with event text overlay. by @nrpa

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Behind every park, program and experience are people who make it possible.

Today, on Park and Recreation Professionals Day, we recognize the dedicated employees who protect natural spaces, create opportunities for play, care for our facilities and connect communities across Miami-Dade County.

We asked members of our team what the Power of Parks means to them.

Their answers reflect the passion, purpose and public service behind everything we do.

To every park and recreation professional serving our community: thank you.

#ParkAndRecreationProfessionalsDay #ThePowerOf #PowerOfParks #ParkAndRecreationMonth #MiamiDadeParks #LiveAParkLife taken in Miami-Dade County by @nrpa

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To all the park and recreation kids out there, where are you now?
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Access to these spaces helps us grow into community and environmental-minded humans that care deeply for the world we are a part of. They teach us how to be us. The ways we enjoy movement and play, socializing, teamwork, and so many skills that carry us through life.
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The kids in these photos are now working every day to bring the power of parks, play, connection, belonging, nature, community and well-being to EVERYONE. Learn about and support their work at the link in our bio.
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#ThePowerOf #ParkAndRecMonth2026 #ParkAndRecMonth by @nrpa

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When we say parks are for everyone, we mean parks are for EVERYONE!
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From the second folks step into these spaces they should feel welcomed and included. To help make that possible, we've put together a 10-module, self-paced certificate is designed for park and recreation professionals with field experience who are committed to expanding access to high-quality programs for people with disabilities.
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Learn more about the Everyone Belongs! Building Inclusive Recreation Programs Certificate at the link in our bio.
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#ThePowerOf #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth2026
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Touch grass. Swim laps. Bird watch. Plant trees. Cast lines. There are many, many ways to be in nature. And there are even more ways when our community parks are abundant and welcoming.
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In Lawrenceville, GA, Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation invites community members to connect with nature in a number of ways...
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🎣During their annual Kids Fishing Day, anglers of all ages get to cast their lines along the banks of the Chattahoochee River and check out eco-friendly exhibitors. With rods and bait provided, the event makes it easy for children to experience the excitement of fishing and the simple joy of being outdoors.
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🧘‍♀️Free yoga in the park allows neighbors to slow down, breathe, and move together. Being present and side by side in a our parks helps break down barriers, spark conversation, and create a sense of connection.
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🌳Volunteer opportunities like National Public Lands Day bring people from different backgrounds together to contribute and take pride in something bigger than themselves, strengthening connections while helping the landscape thrive.
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🏊Their first Polar Plunge and kickoff event celebrating their 40th anniversary got neighbors out into the winter chill. They opened one of their outdoor aquatic centers to let about 100 brave polar plungers splash around well before the normal seasonal opening!
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#ThePowerOf #ParkAndRecMonth2026 #ParkAndRecMonth by @nrpa

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11 days ago

We’re better together and best together at a local park.💚

These playgrounds, pools, and fields teach us new skills. They bring us closer to old friends and connect us to new ones.

Park and Recreation Month highlights “The Power Of” parks and recreation and the people who make it all possible. How are you celebrating this month?

Learn more and support our work at the link in our bio.
#ThePowerOf #ParkAndRecMonth #ParkAndRecMonth2026 by @nrpa

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