April 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 16

WE ARE PARKS AND RECREATION
Preservation and Sustainability
Within Parks and Recreation
By Colton Patak
P
ark and recreation agencies play an important role in preserving
natural resources and promoting sustainability. From creating
and managing protected areas to initiating environmental conservation
education awareness programs, these agencies are dedicated
to preserving our environment for future generations. Creating policies
and procedures that promote sustainability and preserving the ecosystems
of our parks and recreational areas are essential for maintaining nature for
us to enjoy and preventing further damage to our natural resources.
Park and recreation agencies are
increasingly focusing on sustainable
practices in order to benefit
both the environment and their local
communities. Sustainable practices
are " economic, social and
environmental benefits " practices
that, when implemented, " contribute
to community livability, sustainability
and resiliency " (tinyurl.
com/4x39faat).
By
incorporating
sustainable
practices into parks and recreation,
Implementing sustainable practices
benefits the environment and local
communities.
agencies can reduce their carbon
footprint and emissions, conserve
resources and reduce waste. Additionally,
these practices can lead
to improved public health through
increased access to clean air, green
space and improved water quality.
Furthermore, park and recreation
agencies also can benefit economically
from sustainable practices.
By utilizing green infrastructure -
such as rain gardens, green roofs
and bioswales - agencies can reduce
their long-term maintenance
costs, as well as their reliance on
energy sources
like
fossil
fuels.
Additionally, by creating green
jobs and providing employment
opportunities, these agencies can
further their economic sustainability.
Finally, these agencies also can
contribute to social sustainability
by creating strong community ties
and fostering a sense of belonging
and purpose. By implementing sustainable
practices in their parks and
recreation spaces, these organizations
can benefit both the environment
and their local communities.
Preservation
By preserving natural resources,
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park and recreation agencies can
provide an array of green space in
a city landscape, offering a safe haven
for both wildlife and people.
This green space also provides a
place for community members to
enjoy outdoor activities, as well as
a place to appreciate the beauty of
nature. Furthermore, the preservation
of natural resources helps to
ensure park and recreation agencies
can continue to offer a variety of
outdoor activities - such as hiking,
camping and fishing - for generations
to come.
Sustainability
By incorporating
sustainability
into their operations, park and recreation
agencies can reduce their
environmental
impact, conserve
resources and create more efficient
and cost-effective operations. This
will benefit not only the agency,
but also the environment, as it will
reduce the amount of pollution
and waste produced by the agency.
Moreover, sustainability practices
can help to decrease the agency's
overall costs, allowing for more
money to be allocated to other areas
of the agency's operations.
By preserving natural resources,
park and recreation agencies can
provide a variety of outdoor activities
for people to enjoy. Sustainability
practices can help to reduce the
agency's environmental impact and
create more cost-effective programs
and events. Overall, the preservation
and sustainability of park and
recreation agencies are essential to
their long-term success.
Colton Patak is Program Supervisor at
City of Mason Parks and Recreation
(cpatak@masonoh.org).
April 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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