Why We’re Celebrating Park and Recreation Professionals This July — Episode 066

Every day, in communities across the country, the people of parks
and recreation are providing essential services and making their
communities better places to live, work and play. This July, for
Park and Recreation Month, NRPA will be redefining the field of
parks and recreation as a vital necessity by sharing how park and
recreation professionals are frontline staff, confronting our
most pressing health, environmental and social challenges — even
now, amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, park
and recreation professionals are selflessly making sure the
people in their communities are safe, healthy and have access to
necessary services.


One way the Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society (PRPS) has
been celebrating this selfless work is through Park and
Recreation Professionals Day, which will take place this year on
July 17 – during Park and Recreation Month. This day, much like
the entire month of July, celebrates the people who work
tirelessly behind the scenes to provide the high-quality programs
and facilities we desire and expect in our parks and
public spaces. We’re thrilled to be joined on today’s episode by
Tim Herd, CEO of PRPS, to learn more about the day, and how you
can celebrate at your own agency this July.


Tim talks with us about why he thinks park and recreation
professionals and the work they do are so essential, and we
discuss our plans to celebrate that work through a nationwide
Park and Recreation Professionals Day this July as part of our
Park and Recreation Month festivities. Tim tells us about how the
idea of a designated day to lift up the people who are working so
hard in their communities came to him in the most appropriate
setting – his local park!


He also shares an informative document that helps solidify why
park and recreation professionals deserve to be celebrated. It’s
called the “Recreation & Parks’ Internet of Things” and it
highlights “how parks and recreation contribute to everything
important” in a community.


And while we’re all excited about Park and Recreation Month and
Park and Recreation Professionals Day coming up soon, due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the celebrations may look different this year.
We discuss how PRPS is adjusting its celebration and some of the
things planned for July – including simply thanking a park and
recreation professional for the important work they do.


Tim also shares some tips for an agency that may want to plan its
own Park and Recreation Professionals Day this summer — his
number one tip? Save the date.


Tune in to the full episode to hear why we can’t wait to
celebrate YOU this July. And be sure to sign up on our Park and
Recreation Month webpage to receive updates on all things Park
and Recreation Month, as NRPA will be providing resources for
Park and Recreation Professionals Day and the entire month very
soon — so you’ll have everything you need to promote the
celebration in your community.