On July 17, we celebrated the normally unsung services of some 8,000 Pennsylvania park and recreation professionals, along with thousands of other volunteers who contribute to our wellbeing by serving on Boards, Committees, Commissions, Friends, Neighborhoods, Trails and other groups, by visiting a park to celebrate Pennsylvania Park and Recreation Professionals Day.

Pennsylvanians are blessed to own more than 6,000 community parks and 12,000 miles of trails in every nook and county, and 121 (award-winning!) state parks, with one within 25 miles of nearly every resident.

And along with them are countless playgrounds, pools, beaches, campsites, marinas, picnic areas, athletic fields, skate parks, dog parks, festival venues, gardens, visitor centers, historic and cultural attractions, and many other recreational facilities and amenities.

And we have been taking advantage of these recreation opportunities now more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The healthful value and relative importance that Pennsylvanians place on their parks and natural areas is shown in the fact that, although Pennsylvania is the 33rd largest state, only Alaskans and Californians have more park land.

Pennsylvania Park and Recreation Professionals Day is coordinated by the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society to honor those who plan, provide, and operate our parks, trails, programs and facilities for all our citizens.

Visit a favorite or nearby park to bask in its all its many benefits, as well as show a little appreciation to the programmers, managers, maintainers, landscapers, facilitators, lifeguards, coaches, event organizers and caretakers who enhance the experience for all of us.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and training opportunities, visit the PA Recreation and Park Society website.  Like them on Facebook,  Follow them on Twitter, visit their YouTube Channel, and find them on Instagram.  Click Here to support their work.

Related Articles:

-- DCNR Good Natured Pennsylvanians: Tim Herd, PA Recreation & Park Society

-- Bay Journal: COVID Lockdown Unleashes Swarms Of Visitors At Parks, Trails

-- DCNR Highlights Economic Importance Of Outdoor Recreation Industry At Organic Climbing In Centre County

-- DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Virtual Meeting July 22 On Infrastructure Needs, Priorities

Related Articles - Budget:

-- House Speaker Cutler: Republicans Will First Raid Dedicated Funds To Balance Budget In November

-- House Republicans Moving Bill To Reallocate Keystone Fund, Damage Vitality Of PA’s Outdoor Economy

-- House Republicans Pass Bill To Freeze Funding For County Conservation Districts, Local Parks, Farm Conservation, Watershed Restoration Projects; Will Hurt Local Economies

-- Analysis: Conservative Republicans Want To Freeze Funding For Local Parks, Trails, Farm Conservation, Mine Reclamation, Recycling

-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Launches New Protect Our Parks & Forests Campaign

[Posted: July 17, 2020]

7/20/2020