contents january 2016 volume 51 | number 1 | www.nrpa.org COVER STORY 46 Local and Regional Parks: Engines of Economic Activity A study by NRPA, in partnership with George Mason University's Center for Regional Analysis, provides hard data demonstrating the tremendous economic impact of local and regional park systems Kevin Roth, Ph.D. 54 Moving Toward a Brighter Future for Wellston, Missouri NRPA's Parks Build Community program to build new Trojan Park in 2016 Paula Jacoby-Garrett FOCUS ON EDUCATION 40 Nature Meets (Welcomes) Technology Kevin Riley, Ed.D., and Stonie Weeks FEATURES 50 Reinventing Senior Centers: Virtually Virtual senior centers offer a flexible leisure alternative for aging adults M. Jean Keller and Franziska Sprinkmeyer 42 'Carpe Carpam': Conservation Through Gastronomy Mark Morgan, Ph.D. 44 Whose Job Is It? The Education of Future Recreation Professionals Stephanie T. West, Ph.D. 2 Parks & Recreation | J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 6 | W W W. N R PA . O R G