contents april departments 14 We Are Parks and Recreation Parks and Recreation Celebrates Earth Day 2024 14 Adaptive Kayaking: Fostering Inclusion Outdoors 15 The Pugsley Medal: Celebrating Individuals Who Advance Parks and Conservation 16 Let NRPA Member Benefits Help You Thrive This Summer 17 18 Research NRPA's Evaluation Resource Hub Austin Barrett 19 Park Pulse Engaging With Your Community 48 Operations The Latest on Synthetic Fields 48 Protecting Dark Skies 50 52 Park Essentials 55 Advertiser Index Page 24 56 Park Bench Crafting Homes for Wake County Bluebirds Sarah Goldsmith The Douglass Community Center playground in Loudoun County, Virginia, celebrates Black history and culture with a themed play experience. columns 10 Perspectives Parks and Recreation Powers Resilience and Sustainability Jesús Aguirre 12 Editor's Letter Sustainability Means Walking the Talk Vitisia Paynich 20 Advocacy NRPA's New Government Affairs Manager Christian Miller 22 Health and Wellness Volunteering Enhances the Well-Being of Older Adults Bryn McCornack 24 Equity Engaging With Black History and Culture Through Play Kraig Troxell 26 Law Review Urban Parks' Tradition of Firearm Regulation James C. Kozlowski, J.D., Ph.D. Cover image: Photo courtesy of Yamaha Rightwaters™ Parks & Recreation is printed using soy ink on at least 10 percent post-consumer recycled paper and is mailed in a wrap - only when required - that is plant based and certified compostable. If you are interested in helping us go even greener, email us at prmagazine@nrpa.org and ask to opt out of receiving the print magazine. Parks & Recreation is always available to read in an ezine format at ezine.nrpa.org. 8 Parks & Recreation | APRIL 2 0 2 4 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G PHOTO COURTESY OF LOUDOUN COUNTY (VIRGINIA) PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICEShttp://ezine.nrpa.org