Indoor, High-tech Children: Stunted Specimens?
from the East Valley Tribune
 Some experts believe children aren’t spending time outdoors the way generations of children always have, thanks to busier schedules; the pull of artificial entertainment from television, video games, computers and cell phones; and parental fears of abduction. Instead they’re shuttled from one activity to another, with homework, TV shows and Nintendo Wii filling the gaps between school, lessons and practice. It’s a phenomenon author Richard Louv calls “nature-deficit disorder,” a term he coined to describe society’s growing disconnect from the natural world. More
Who Do You Louv?
from NRPA
Participants to NRPA's National Summit on Environmental Stewardship came expecting a knock-out keynote address from Richard Louv, author of the critically acclaimed Last Child in the Woods, which chronicles children's lack of connection from nature and the outdoors. They weren't disappointed. For 30 minutes, Louv kept delegates' attention, taking on issues including suburban development that removes natural play from children's lifestyles, physical education disappearing from local schools, and parents' fear of releasing their children into the "unknown world." More
Real Estate Slump is a Boon to Conservation Deals
from The Associated Press via the San Francisco Chronicle
Hard times for real estate developers means good times for conservationists as plummeting property values put tens of thousands of additional acres of historic and scenic property within their reach. While not every market has softened, conservationists have had significant success in Florida, the Southwest and parts of California, said Will Rogers, president of the Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit that helps conserve land as parks, historic sites and rural lands. More
Kids Can Go a Long Way in Running Program
from the Augusta Chronicle
When Lori Comshaw moved to Aiken from the Northwest with her family two years ago, the avid marathoner found that the city did not have a running program for youths. She decided to create a program to give kids a chance to become marathon runners. The Aiken, S.C., Parks and Recreation Department's two-month running program challenges children from kindergarten through fifth grade to run a mile a day, and up to five miles a week, from Aug. 22 to Oct. 25. More
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Council Members Support Using Inmates for Labor
from the Lincoln Journal Star
A proposal to use county jail inmates to mow and clean up city parks sounded like a good idea to Lincoln, Neb., City Council members last week. Council members generally agreed that the city should try a month-long pilot project using jail inmates after Lancaster County Commissioner Bernie Heier praised the county’s own program during a City-County Common meeting. More
Endless Summer
from the Daily Inter Lake
No one would mistake them for boys of summer, but for these mature athletes, the joy of playing baseball came with no expiration date. Thanks to the senior softball league, men in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond get to stay in the game on a level paying field in the Conrad Complex in Kalispell, Mont. More
How Will Oil-shale Development Affect Utah's Parks and Recreation Areas?
from the Deseret News
Utah is world famous for its tourist destinations — Bryce, Zion, Arches and Canyonlands national parks, its western desert or share of Lake Powell, Desolation Canyon and the Green River and on and on. In remote areas, particularly in eastern Utah, visitors can easily and often see the constant nodding up and down of oil derricks, which to some may even be an appealing part of the Western experience. But what will be the impact for tourists who visit Utah for its relatively unadulterated wide-open spaces, scenic beauty and comparatively clean air? More
Skateboarding Camp Offers Kids Chance to Experience New Parks
from The Daily Advance
Summer can be a boring time for kids with nothing to do. So the Camden, N.C., Parks and Recreation Department came up with a way for kids to get out and enjoy themselves at some places they don't usually get to go. The skateboarding camp took a group of kids ages 10 to 15 to a variety of skate parks in the area this week. More
Tool Trailer Helps Beautification Efforts
from Colony Courier-Leader
It’s now easier to keep Allen, Texas, beautiful because everything needed to beautify the city is available free of cost, thanks to a program of the Allen Parks Foundation. The APF officially began its tool trailer lending program last week, which provides everything necessary for park beautification projects to community groups. The tool trailer was the brainchild of Jim Waldbauer, president of the Allen Parks Foundation board of trustees. More
Two Children with Autism Benefit from Connecticut Camp
from the Hartford Courant
Tina Cianci tried for seven years to convince her son to allow water to flow over his head. Cianci tried reasoning with Michael, 7. She tried reducing his shower pressure to a trickle. She tried pouring water on Michael's head from a little cup. But in the end, it was a camp counselor named Manny Cummings who coached Michael into the water. For Michael, who has a mild form of autism known as Asperger's syndrome, it was a milestone — one he probably could not have accomplished without Cummings' constant presence during the New Britain, Conn., Parks and Recreation camp. More
It's a 'Summer of Safety,' and Campers Are in Full Force
from the Washington Post
The D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation says its effort to involve more children in the city's summer camps program this year has been an "overwhelming success," with registrations surpassing 10,000 for the first time in the agency's history. More
New Partnerships Encouraging City Teens to Explore the World of Pennsylvania State Parks
from PR NewsWire via TickerTech
Buoyed by success last summer in Harrisburg and Philadelphia, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is broadening an urban recreation initiative to introduce more young people to the adventure, natural beauty and learning opportunities found in their state parks. "We know our pilot effort last summer achieved a major goal - to introduce inner-city young people to parks and activities that are often far removed from their neighborhoods," said DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. "Many state parks not in urban areas. These partnerships with cities are opening new opportunities to connect our state parks with urban youth. 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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