April 2016 - Parks & Recreation - 49

ing sources while others do not. Some focus on adult
programming and facility development while others focus on youth, outdoor, conservation, preservation and
health issues. Some provide financial support for people with economic disadvantages to have better access
engaging in recreational activities. Some design special
programs for groups with different cultural and ethnical
backgrounds. This collective diversity among the mission and purpose of various park and recreation entities
is one of the great strengths of our field. Preserving that
diversity, and taking care to ensure those who carry out
their agency's respective missions are equally diverse, is
essential if we hope to serve the needs of our modern
clientele.

It is our professional obligation to
improve inclusion. As global diversity
evolves, the park and recreation field
should positively and proactively

Promotes healthy communication skills. We do not
have to go far to find the research-driven benefits of being outdoors and participating in recreation programs. Diversity challenges stereotypes, encourages critical thinking
and helps people to improve communication with people
from different backgrounds.
It is our professional obligation to improve inclusion.
As global diversity evolves, the park and recreation field
should positively and proactively embrace this change. It
is essential to determine and implement best practices that
encourage more inclusivity and access for families from
diverse and under-represented backgrounds to the natural, healthy settings provided by parks and recreation. It
is time that we as professionals promote and enhance diversity within the park systems to broaden the culture and
bring the parks to the people.
Tyler Tapps, Ph.D., CPRP, is a Graduate Coordinator/Assistant
Professor at Northwest Missouri State University's School of Health
Science and Wellness (tytapps@nwmissouri.edu). Tim Wall, Ed.D, is
the Dean of the School of Education at Northwest Missouri State
University (timwall@nwmissouri.edu).

embrace this change.
In our experiences working or participating with park
and recreation agencies, we have discovered that many
share a common belief: It is vital to embrace diversity to
fulfill their primary missions. We should advocate for diversity in policy, programming and personnel. Park and
recreation organizations must strongly express how racial
and ethnic diversity should be considered in strategic, land
and capital planning. Diversity:

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Strengthens communities and workplaces. Park and
recreation programs within diverse settings support citizenship while developing respect for others and nature.
Enriches educational experiences. Education is a staple for all park and recreation agencies. We learn from
those whose experiences, beliefs and perspectives are different from our own, and those lessons can be best taught
in diverse environments by diverse park and recreation
professionals.
Enhances America's economic competitiveness. Financial constraint is a primary issue for agencies at the
national, state and municipal levels. Sustaining prosperity
requires us to make effective use of the talents and abilities
of all citizens.

THE ONLY CROWDFUNDING SITE DEDICATED
TO PARKS AND RECREATION
To find out how your agency can get involved visit

www.nrpa.org/FundYourPark

W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G | A P R I L 2 0 1 6 |

Parks & Recreation

April 2016 - Parks & Recreation

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