December 2025

A Balancing Act

I worked in retail management for a long time, including a lengthy tenure at the Banana Republic flagship in Rockefeller Center in New York, N.

Editor's Notes 6 min read

The Power of Immersion

For over 25 years, Wilderness Awareness School's Immersion program has transformed the lives of adults through an intense, nine-month, nature connection experience.

Programming 5 min read

Parks are powerful antidotes to many social, economic, political, and environmental ills. They improve public health by reducing stress and supporting physical activity, foster social cohesion and communal gathering, reduce crime, and increase community engagement.

Parks 5 min read

From Chaos To Clarity

Anyone can manage a schedule or oversee a contractor. What separates leaders from managers in this space is the ability to keep people aligned when the pressure is on.

Aquatics 5 min read

Leading With Purpose In Parks & Recreation

In today’s dynamic world of parks and recreation, effective leadership is more essential than ever.

Parks 5 min read

Rethinking Accessibility Projects

Signed into law 35 years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in everyday activities, including recreation.

Parks 4 min read

Situational Leadership At Summer Camp

Situational leadership is a model developed by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard that suggests there is no best way to lead. Instead, effective leaders adapt their style based on team members’ readiness (competence and commitment) for a given task.

Camps 8 min read

Winning The Vote

Recreation centers, public parks and trails, pools, and athletic facilities form the foundation of community wellness and engagement. Successful funding for park districts and projects requires a multifaceted approach.

Parks 8 min read

Colorado And Hokkaido Forge Sister Byways

In July 2025, Downtown Colorado, Inc. (DCI) announced the official formation of a Sister Byways partnership between the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission and the Scenic Byway Hokkaido Promotion Council in Japan.

Parks 3 min read

Defeating Depression

Children’s mental health appropriately took center stage after they endured years of reduced physical activity during the pandemic. A recent study about exercise’s positive effect on children and teens reaffirmed what most recreation professionals already know and see every day.

Columns 3 min read

Moments, Impressions, Improvements

In 1976, I worked at a local pizza joint after school. One of the managers was an older gentleman and a “jack-of-all-trades.” In addition to the daily register count, he painted, repaired, fixed, and stocked all day long.

Columns 4 min read

December Product Review

This month's roundup of cutting-edge industry products.

Product Review 2 min read