America's Best Cities for the Outdoors
from Forbes
 Using research from the nonprofit organization Trust for Public Land, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, Forbes gathered data on parks spending per resident, park land as a percentage of city land, recreation facilities, air quality, precipitation, sunshine and temperature extremes for 40 major cities. Plenty of quality parks -- along with good weather to enjoy them -- gives these cities the edge when it comes to outdoor enjoyment. San Francisco, which spends the most per capita on parks, ranks first. More
Virtual Biking in Breckenridge
from the Summit Daily News
With its video screen and interactive features, the Breckenridge Recreation Center’s new Expresso bikes use computer technology to add verisimilitude to indoor biking. Exercisers can choose one of dozens of virtual rides, create pacing bikes, track their own progress, and race each other in real time. More
Indianapolis Trees Provide $5.7M in Benefits
from Science Daily
U.S. Forest Service scientists with the Center for Urban Forest Research have completed a study that found planting and nurturing Indianapolis street trees brought a 500 percent return in benefits from storm water reduction, energy conservation, cleaner air and increased property values. The researchers evaluated more than 117,000 trees the Indianapolis Parks and Recreation Forestry Section manages and found every $1 spent brought a $6.09 return. More
Ohio City Expects to Save Using Contracted Mowers
from the Times-Gazette
Saving money and creating more time for the village maintenance department to focus on maintenance prompted the village of Loudonville, Ohio, to contract its lawn mowing services for the next three years. With the mowing contractors in place, the five-member maintenance department can concentrate on several pressing maintenance issues, including repairing and replacing storm sewers, painting crosswalks, repairing potholes, straightening signs and taking care of all the other things that come up, all the time. More
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Product Showcase: ParkPro
 ParkPro was designed with a unique perspective on how Park Districts service their communities. The Park District business model is completely unique in its utilization of full-time, part-time and seasonal part-time employees delivering a multitude of services. This structure, combined with the ever-changing needs of your community, requires a flexible registration and community communication tool. ParkPro delivers on all accounts, designed from the community needs to your backoffice administrative needs. More info
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Do Your Bit to Preserve and Help Grow our 'Urban Forest'
from the Staten Island Advance
In New York City, the trees one finds lining our streets are owned by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Any tree within 15 feet of the curb is owned by Parks, regardless of who planted it, or if it is on private property. The city has made admirable efforts to involve the citizenry in all Parks activities, including the care of street trees. More
Family Fitness Day draws 400 to White Oak Park in Bloomington, Ill.
from The Pantagraph
The first annual Family Fitness Day, organized by Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, brought families to White Oak Park to dance, run and learn about health issues on a warm, sunny afternoon. The goal was to give the community a chance to learn about local opportunities for physical activity to combat the nation’s high childhood obesity rates. More
Wreck-Less and Car-Free
from Red Orbit
Cities across the United States are creating more space for walking, running, and hiking by shutting down roads through parks and neighborhoods. If the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives gets its way, 2008 will be the year New York banishes motor vehicles from Central Park and Prospect Park all summer long. More
Satisfying Seattle's Passion for Parks
from The Seattle Times
City councilmen Tom Rasmussen and Richard Conlin write about Seattle’s new parks levy consideration. According to a recent poll commissioned by the City Council, 67 percent of respondents wanted to spend their hard-earned dollars for more open space. The authors say the City Council would not be doing its job if it did not respond to such clear interest from the voters. More
 In 2007, the City of Sparks, Nev., selected 13 FieldTurf fields for its impressive new look Golden Eagle Regional Park, making it the largest single purchase of artificial turf from one organization in North America. Providing 13 artificial turf fields for one organization is a feat that has never been equalled by any other sports surfacing company. More info
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More Power Plants Near National Parks Foreseen
from The Washington Post via the Arizona Daily Sun
The Bush administration is on the verge of implementing new air quality rules that will make it easier to build power plants near national parks and wilderness areas, according to rank-and-file agency scientists and park managers who oppose the plan. More
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The Original Pooch Post
 Secure dog tethering system for parks and open spaces.Great amenity for busy playgrounds, picnic areas, near benches and outside public park restrooms. More |
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