January 2025 - PRB+ Magazine

Bye Resolutions, Hello Goals

Every January, the same discourse begins about New Year’s resolutions—why you should make them, why you shouldn’t, why most people fail by February, foolproof ways to stay on track, etc. I’m firmly in the “why you shouldn’t” camp.

Editor's Notes 4 min read

A Multipurpose Vision

For Jon Pallone, head baseball coach at Quakertown Community High School in Quakertown, Penn., the umpire shouting “Play ball!” to begin the team’s March 2024 home opener took on special meaning.

Rec Facilities 5 min read

Back In Session

Over breakfast at a 2021 conference, Dewey Case of the Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code and Bob Kappel of ProMinent Fluid Controls discussed the challenge of finding skilled aquatic technicians.

Aquatics 5 min read

Hidden Dangers

Though ice skating provides joy, connection, and fitness in many communities, unexpected dangers lurk in rinks. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is an unfortunate possibility due to a few factors.

Rec Facilities 5 min read

Updating For Accessibility

Parks and recreation centers are meant to serve an entire community, including those with disabilities. However, with an aging building stock and limited resources, creating public spaces that are accessible to all can be a challenge.

Parks 4 min read

The Perfect Sidekick

The City of Piedmont Recreation Department (PRD) believes that recreation is for everyone. Creating Sidekicks in 2021 was crucial in addressing a significant gap in services for the local neurodiverse community.

Parks 7 min read

Maximum Impact

When Albertville, Ala. city leaders set out to redevelop Sand Mountain Park, they had a clear vision. First and foremost, the park would serve as a vital community asset by prioritizing residents’ daily needs and driving economic growth through sports and entertainment tourism.

Parks 6 min read

Emergency Preparedness: Armed Intruder

It’s impossible to ignore news reports about armed-intruder incidents at a wide range of locations, including concerts, malls, places of worship, and movie theaters. As leaders assess their parks, recreation, or camp facility, it might be tempting to assume “it could never happen here.”

Rec Facilities 5 min read

Not My Job …Or Is It?

On my first morning at camp, I could not believe my bleary eyes. As I walked to my cabin from the washrooms, I saw a few fellow campers and a bunch of staff silently picking up garbage strewn about the trash bins.

Camps 6 min read

Expert Problem-Solving

If directors run a well-organized recreation program and provide great communication, parent complaints will be minimal. But sometimes incidents occur that are beyond the staff’s control, leading parents to complain.

Camps 2 min read

Taking Fun Seriously

"We take our fun pretty seriously. We've really looked at what keeps kids coming back. Because if they're not having fun, they’re not enjoying the experience, they vote with their feet. They just walk away."

Columns 4 min read

Fun For All

At Indiana-based Discovery Day Camp, Valparaiso Parks and Recreation staff members love bringing the entire camp (140 campers) together for exciting "All Camps"—special activities in which everyone works toward a common goal, whether creating a mural or competing in a fun challenge.

Camps 3 min read