PHOTO COURTESY OF LOU ANN NOLAN PHOTO COURTESY OF PHIL WALTZ 48 Park and Recreation Month honors the heroes who make the profession essential to communities 46 PHOTO COURTESY OF CYNTHIA PAYNE By Cort Jones 34 Parks & Recreation T he people of parks and recreation have faced some extreme challenges in recent months, and the myriad ways these professionals have pivoted and stepped in to meet the needs of their communities are awe-inspiring. Right now, our country - and the world - is facing a pandemic, systemic racism, hunger, homelessness, the opioid crisis and many other tragedies that are presenting challenges for communities. As a field focused on building community and ensuring the health and well-being of the people they serve, park and recreation professionals are the heroes the world needs now more than ever. | J U LY 2 0 2 0 | P A R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G PHOTO COURTESY OF ELEANOR HORNE 1 20