Mary Helen Sprecher

Mary Helen Sprecher is ASBA’s technical writer and also the editor of ASBA’s Sports Fields: Construction and Maintenance Manual and Courts & Recreational Surfaces: Construction and Maintenance Manual.

15 Articles

Light-Bulb Moment

Adding lighting to sports facilities brings a raft of advantages. It increases patron safety and allows facilities (fields, courts, or any other structure) to host more hours of play, particularly after school or work.

Rec Facilities 5 min read

For The Win

Flag football gains yardage in parks and rec It’s difficult to miss the news about youth flag football’s growth. Consider the following: * The

This article is for Paid-members only

Programming 5 min read

Good Neighbors

Conventional wisdom dictates that good fences make good neighbors, but when it comes to sports facilities (e.g., courts, fields, pathways, and the like), the issue is more complex.

This article is for Paid-members only

Rec Facilities 5 min read

Going To The Dogs

Dog parks are having their day, becoming the amenity not only in parks but in neighborhoods at both the urban and suburban levels, as well as in multifamily settings.

This article is for Paid-members only

Parks 5 min read

Indoor Flooring

With the exception of parks and recreation staff, is there anything in the sector that works harder than the gym? After all, it might host everything from basketball to pickleball to volleyball to futsal—and a lot more.

This article is for Paid-members only

Rec Facilities 5 min read

Return To Form

When campers are ready to return, directors and counselors are tasked with keeping them happy and occupied, but it’s also important to create camp programs that stand out.

This article is for Paid-members only

Camps 5 min read

Play Up Social Opportunities

One of the great advantages of sports is they bring people together. Let’s face it—it’s just plain fun to catch up with friends, whether watching kids in Little League or finishing a great game of pickleball or tennis and wanting to unwind and talk.

This article is for Members only

Sports Fields 5 min read

Catching The Cricket Bug

There’s no end to the number of sports that have been brought to the USA through immigration, such as soccer, field hockey, and rugby. And that’s not even taking into consideration other popular fixtures on the competition calendar like wrestling and track and field.

This article is for Members only

Sports Fields 5 min read

Smaller Field, Faster Game

Lacrosse is ready for its close-up.

This article is for Paid-members only

Sports Fields 5 min read

Accessible Facilities

More than three decades ago the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law. At the time, it was groundbreaking, ushering in an era in which accessible restrooms, wheelchair ramps for public facilities, curb cuts, and other means of accommodation were mandated.

This article is for Members only

Sports Fields 4 min read

Problems Unseen

Sometimes, not everything is black and white. There are plenty of shades of gray between.

This article is for Paid-members only

Sports Fields 4 min read

Take Advantage Of The Terrain

Adding sports facilities to parks might be a tough sell to administrators; after all, even post-pandemic, it’s difficult to justify construction expenses.

This article is for Paid-members only

Sports Fields 5 min read