NACPRO News

April 15, 2025

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Built to Endure: The Heat-Resistant Advantage of Pilot Rock

Pilot Rock grills and campfire rings are finished with a high heat resistant, non-toxic, matte (low gloss) black enamel paint. This silicone-based paint is lead and chrome free and formulated especially for Pilot Rock. It is capable of enduring temperatures exceeding 750 degrees.

These paints act as a barrier against moisture, chemicals, and other corrosive elements, extending the lifespan of metal components. By protecting the metal from extreme temperatures, these paints can help reduce thermal fatigue, which can lead to cracking and failure.

Learn more:
https://www.pilotrock.com/material-options

Metroparks forecast: fewer federal dollars?
Courtesy of Signal Cleveland

By Frank W. Lewis

OHIO - Cleveland Metroparks have already lost at least one federal grant, and officials are worried about the status of another, according to CEO Brian Zimmerman’s presentation at the March 20 Board of Park Commissioners meeting.

The board agreed to apply for a grant from a federal agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for the Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Strategy (CHEERS). If awarded, the NOAA grant will cover $9.5 million of the estimated $12 million project. But that’s a big if.

Read more:
https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-metroparks-forecast-more-golfers-fewer-dollars-march-board-meeting/

Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act Introduced in the House
Courtesy of the National Special Districts Association

Last week, Representative Pat Fallon (R-TX) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) introduced legislation (H.R. 2766) that would establish a first-ever formal definition of “special district” in federal law. The bipartisan bill – which is NSDA's number one federal legislative priority – also would direct the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance to federal agencies requiring special districts to be recognized as local governments for purposes of ensuring that districts have access to all appropriate forms of federal financial assistance. 

It should be noted that H.R. 2766 is identical to legislation that was overwhelmingly approved by the full House of Representatives last year, with the exception of the title. This year’s bill is known as the Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act.

Read more:
https://www.nationalspecialdistricts.org/h-r-2766-special-district-fairness-and-accessibility-act-introduced-statement-by-ann-terry-nsda-chair


Recreational Trails Program Full Funding Act of 2025
Courtesy of SORP

Senators Klobuchar and Risch have introduced the Recreational Trails Program Full Funding Act of 2025, and Coalition for Recreational Trails responded with a letter of appreciation. This effort reinforces that improving RTP funding won’t come at the expense of other programs—it simply directs existing recreation-related fuel tax dollars where they belong. Now’s the time to thank Senate champions, encourage more cosponsors, and help spread the word to build support. 

Read more:
https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=7E809D57-420C-4B78-B9D4-F23A698C07E5


Harnessing the Power of Fungi for Environmental Cleanup
Courtesy of Planetizen

By Clement Lau

Fungi are emerging as vital allies in the fight against environmental pollution, thanks to a process called mycoremediation — the use of fungi to break down, transform, or accumulate pollutants in soil and water. As industrial activity continues to escalate, soil pollution has become a global crisis, impacting billions of people and threatening food security. Fungi, particularly species like Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom), possess powerful, non-specific enzymes capable of breaking down complex toxic compounds, including oil, pesticides, and even synthetic dyes. Some fungi can also absorb or convert heavy metals and radioactive substances into less harmful forms, offering a powerful and natural method for decontaminating hazardous sites.

Learn more:
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2025/04/134673-harnessing-power-fungi-environmental-cleanup


Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
Courtesy of Planetizen

Since his inauguration, Trump’s executive orders and other actions have come at a dizzying pace. What do they mean for urban planning? Today we’re launching a tool to help cut through the chaos: a weekly update on how federal actions are impacting transportation, land use, housing and more. Check out our new Federal Action Tracker. 

Learn more:
https://www.planetizen.com/features/134742-planetizen-federal-action-tracker


Amid fears of public land sales, Idaho Republican breaks with cohort in Congress
Courtesy of the Idaho Statesman

By Nicole Blanchard

An Idaho Republican congressman is breaking with the rest of the state’s delegation — and much of his party — to support a bill that would prevent the sale of large tracts of public land as a means of reducing federal debt. 

Rep. Mike Simpson joined the Keep Public Lands in Public Hands bill as a cosponsor Tuesday alongside Montana Republican Troy Downing. U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Montana, a former secretary of interior, introduced the bill in January with Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-New Mexico.

Read more:
https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article303875686.html


Palisades Playground Will Be Restored By July 4th Thanks To $1M Concert Donation
Courtesy of Patch

By Chris Lindahl

CALIFORNIA - A donation of $1 million from the FireAid concert will help fund an expedited restoration of the playground at Palisades Recreation Center, according to city officials. Playground equipment company GameTime is donating $300,000 in equipment, and Banc of California is donating $50,000.

Even before the fire, officials and community members have been calling for the playground to be upgraded or replaced for several years due to what Councilwoman Traci Park termed safety and accessibility concerns.

Read more:
https://patch.com/california/pacificpalisades/palisades-playground-be-restored-after-fire-paid-donations


Turning Trees Into Treasures: Montgomery Parks’ Urban Wood Sale
Courtesy of NRPA

By Melissa Chotiner

MARYLAND - Since 2021, Montgomery Parks has transformed fallen trees into valuable resources through its annual Urban Wood Sale, a two-day event where people can purchase kiln-dried, planed and air-dried wood salvaged from dead or dying trees on parkland. With an inventory of 2,500 to 3,000 unique, high-quality wood slabs, equivalent to 100 to 150 trees, offered at below market value, the sale is a hidden gem for woodworkers and sustainability enthusiasts. 

Read more:
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2025/index.php#/p/8


Phoenix expanding trail closures on extreme heat days to include South Mountain

Courtesy of abc15.com

By Clayton Klapper

ARIZONA - For the 2025 summer, the City of Phoenix is expanding its trail closures on days where there is an excessive heat warning.

Since 2021, trails at Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak have had parking lot gates closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on excessive heat warning days. Last year, there was a total of 45 days when that was the case.

Read more:
https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/phoenix-expanding-trail-closures-on-extreme-heat-days-to-include-south-mountain#google_vignette


Planting Relief: Tackling Las Vegas Heat One Tree at a Time
Courtesy of Planetizen

Since its founding, Nevada Plants has distributed over 1,700 trees across the region, carefully selecting varieties suited for local conditions — including fruit, nut, and shade trees. Ortega and her collaborators, such as Paul Noe from Star Nursery, work to ensure trees are healthy and appropriate for each site, while emphasizing that planting is just the first step. The group also offers tree care education and performs regular checkups on the trees it distributes, helping foster long-term success and sustainability.

Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2025/04/134746-planting-relief-tackling-las-vegas-heat-one-tree-time


Advancing Tree Canopies for All
Courtesy of NRPA

By Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP

CALIFORNIA - In an increasingly urbanized world, nature within communities is essential for sustainability and the health and well-being of residents. Community forestry — engaging local residents in the care and management of trees — is a pivotal strategy to address environmental, social and other challenges. After all, trees offer a host of benefits, including combating climate change, improving air quality, supporting biodiversity, and providing aesthetic and recreational values. Yet, achieving these benefits requires thoughtful planning, management and community engagement.

Recognizing the crucial role of trees, County of Los Angeles developed its first-ever Community Forest Management Plan (CFMP), which was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in October 2024.

Read more:
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2025/index.php#/p/42


Subsurface 3D Diagnostic Imagery
Courtesy of NRPA

By Zeke Hurd and Sean McConnel, Ph.D.

New developments in subsurface imaging technology allow the detection of smaller objects and greater details than ever before. Geophysical investigations can be used to create maps of underground features, including a variety of pipes, drains, sinkholes, and even soil changes and permafrost. Using breakthroughs in computer modeling, it is now possible to integrate data from ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic conductivity meters into a 3D environment. With proper analysis, these tools can be used to highlight minute changes in the subsurface where pipes and drains have been compromised, resulting in pooling and uneven moisture distribution, and to locate where heaving is starting to occur. 

Read more:
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2025/index.php#/p/14


San Diego Swaps Parking Lane for Kid-Friendly Mini Park
Courtesy of Planetizen

By Christine McLaren
  
San Diego is replacing a lane of parking downtown with a greenway that will feature a row of trees, a rocking bench, and children’s play infrastructure. The single-block project is the second phase of the city’s effort to convert under-utilized public rights of way into pedestrian promenades on six downtown streets. The latest project will take place on 14th Street between Market Street and Island Street and will cost $3.8 million. “The Market-to-Island greenway was made possible by a late February allocation of $2.4 million from a downtown-specific fund reserved for park and infrastructure upgrades. 

Learn more:
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2025/04/134709-san-diego-swaps-parking-lane-kid-friendly-mini-park


Upcycling Surface: Closing the loop on end-of-life rubber
Courtesy of NRPA

By Shweta Srikanth

Ecore International, a company that specializes in upcycling rubber into high-performance surfaces, launched its TRUcircularity™ program in 2022. This initiative builds on a circular business model, which first transforms used tires into rubber surfacing and flooring applications. 

Customers initiate the process by requesting a quote for the removal and reclamation of existing rubber surfacing, along with their order of new surfacing installation. The old rubber surfacing is picked up and transported to a U.S.-based facility, where it is transformed into new surfaces. New high-performance surfacing made from reclaimed materials is installed, completing the circular loop.

Read more:
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2025/index.php#/p/48


New Grant Opportunities
Courtesy of the National Special Districts Association 

FY 2026 North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Standard Grant Program

WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program provides competitive, matching grants that support public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the U.S. that involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds.
WHO'S ELIGIBLE? State, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally and non-federally recognized); nonprofit organizations having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and small businesses.
TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $45 million
WHEN'S IT DUE? July 10, 2025

Learn more:
https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-us-standard-grants

Using Technology to Collect Better Data and Make Better Decisions
Courtesy of City Parks Alliance

Tuesday, April 29 from 1:00-2:00 pm ET

How can you harness emerging technologies to help you gather more accurate data about your parks, and turn that data into powerful insights and actions for decision-makers, the public, and your team?

Get the full breakdown in our upcoming webinar where park leaders in Maricopa County, AZ and Minneapolis, MN will share the innovative tools and strategies they use to track park assets, understand visitor needs, and manage green spaces more effectively. Plus, hear from Kaizen Labs about how advanced technologies can simplify complex data, helping you tell compelling stories about your parks and drive smarter decisions.

Learn more:
https://cityparksalliance.org/event/using-technology-to-collect-better-data-and-make-better-decisions/


TCLF Designing Resilient Cities: Global Leaders in Water, Landscape, and Urban Transformation
Courtesy of PlayCore

May 7, 2025 - 8:00 - 9:30 pm ET
Registration code: COMMUNITY

As climate change accelerates, cities must rethink how they manage water, mitigate flooding, and build sustainable environments. Join PlayCore and The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) for a live panel discussion featuring five global leaders in landscape architecture and urban water management. These experts will share insights on innovative, nature-based solutions, from sponge cities and river restoration to flood resilience and water-conscious urban planning. This engaging conversation will explore how integrating green and blue infrastructure can create healthier, more adaptable cities.

This upcoming event includes a live panel. Watch Part 1 and Part 2 of our on-demand TCLF Video Series to dive into key topics before joining us for an exclusive discussion that builds on these insights. Registration for Part 2 opens April 14th.

Learn more:
https://education.playcore.com/p/tclf-live

Manager II - Parks & Recreation
Orange County Government
Orlando, Florida
$118,851 - $154,523 Annually
Application Deadline: May 8, 2025
 
Parks and Recreation Director
City of Sonoma, California 
$153,398 - $186,457 Annually
Application Deadline: open until filled
 
Executive Director
South Suburban Parks and Recreation District
Littleton, Colorado
$225,000- $300,000 Annually
Application Deadline: Apr 30, 2025
 
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Richland County Recreation Commission
Columbia, South Carolina
$55,000 - $60,000 Annually
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2025
 
Executive Director
Wilmette Park District, Illinois
$186,000 - $220,000 Annually
Application Deadline: Apr 25, 2025
 
Program/Project Coordinator, Senior (Safety)
Broward County Parks and Recreation
Oakland Park , Florida
$75,579 - $120,625 Annually
Application Deadline: open until filled

For more information:
https://nacpro.mcjobboard.net/jobs

Got a vacancy to fill? 
NACPRO will post your vacancy on our website and email a copy to our mailing list of over 1100 parks and recreation professionals for a fee of $125 for NACPRO members and $250 for non-members.