August 2017 - Parks & Recreation - 14

EDITOR'S LET TER

Arts and Parks: A Natural Fit
This month, we celebrate " Arts and Parks. " What makes them a natural
fit? Arts and culture reflect our natural surroundings - whether it's Ansel Adams's photograph, " Yosemite Falls, " or the PBS documentary,
" 10 Parks that Changed America " - arts give us a greater appreciation
of our green spaces, as well as bring awareness to environmental causes.
In addition, arts programs can incentivize our younger community members. Our cover story, on page 38, " Arts Unleashed: Creating Successful, Lasting Arts Programs, " by Paula Jacoby-Garrett,
shows how arts can help park and recreation agencies reach more
at-risk youth and, hopefully, help put them on the right path to academic success. Today, there's a plethora of arts programs available
- from painting and pottery courses, to cooking and fashion design,
woodworking and metal workshops, music and drama classes, and
even video game and film production.
And speaking of film, for decades, Hollywood has embraced environmental themes in movies,
especially in the animated genre. One such film, " The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature, " teaches both
kids and adults valuable lessons about land conservation and the power of friendship. Learn more
about the movie and why its director, Cal Brunker, embraced the themes of protecting parks, as
well as people of all ages, abilities and cultures, forming strong friendships through parks and
recreation, on page 42.
Next, get a sneak peek at NRPA's 2017 Parks Build Community project in, " Creating a Vibrant
Public Space on the Lafitte Greenway, " on page 44. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, Lafitte
Greenway once served as a busy transportation canal, giving people easy access to local gardens
and businesses. Sadly, in 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the once thriving public space. But,
thanks to the Parks Build Community initiative, the revitalization of Lafitte Greenway continues.
If you plan on attending the NRPA Annual Conference, please join us for the unveiling of the
Lafitte Greenway, and see the completed project up close.
Do you ever wonder what local government officials really think about park and recreation services?
Austin G. Barrett, Ph.D., and Andrew J. Mowen, Ph.D., share their findings from a study they conducted
in Pennsylvania in, " Local Officials' Opinions about Local Park and Recreation Services, " on page 48.
Lastly, make sure to check out our conference preview section beginning on page 52. You'll learn
about the additional education sessions that will be presented, along with a listing of NRPA's
exhibit hall highlights. For those of you who haven't already done so, be sure to register for conference at www.nrpa.org/conference2017/registration/.
It's going to be a great time in the Big Easy. I hope to see you there!

GINA MULLINS-COHEN
Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Publishing
Editorial Director
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Parks & Recreation

| A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 | W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G

PRESIDENT AND CEO
Barbara Tulipane, CAE
VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING,
COMMUNICATIONS AND
PUBLISHING, AND EDITORIAL
DIRECTOR
Gina Mullins-Cohen
gcohen@nrpa.org
MANAGING EDITOR
Sonia Myrick
smyrick@nrpa.org
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Cort Jones
cjones@nrpa.org
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Maureen Acquino
macquino@nrpa.org
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Catrina Belt
cbelt@nrpa.org
PUBLICATION DESIGN
Creative By Design
www.creativebydesign.net
SENIOR SALES MANAGER
EASTERN REGION AND EUROPE
Kip Ongstad
703.858.2174
kongstad@nrpa.org
SALES MANAGER
WESTERN REGION AND ASIA
Michelle Dellner
949.248.1057
mdellner@nrpa.org
MAGAZINE ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBERS
Keith Anderson
Gerald Brown
Ernest Burkeen
Brendan Daley
Anthony-Paul Diaz
Ryan Eaker
Robert García
Kathleen Gibi
Tim Herd
Edward Krafcik
Todd Lehman
Sam Mendelsohn
Maria Nardi
Lisa Paradis
Gil Peñalosa
Dr. Kevin Riley
Karla Rivera
Paula Sliefert
Anne-Marie Spencer
Stephen Springs
Randy Wiger

August 2017 - Parks & Recreation

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