contents august departments 10 We Are Parks and Recreation Top 10 Things a Recreator Ought to Remember 10 The Value of Continuing Education for Today's Park and Recreation Professional 12 From Tragedy Comes Hope and Positive Change 14 Member Benefit: Background Screening Best Practices 15 16 Research Getting to Know NRPA's Data and Mapping Resource Library Austin Barrett 17 Park Pulse Parks and Recreation Provides Opportunities for Older Adults 50 Operations Cork: The Green Solution for Playgrounds Paula Bueno 51 Products 52 Park Essentials 55 Advertiser Index 56 Park Bench Passion Project Creates Legacy for Generations to Come Lisa Sorbo and KerriAnne Mukhopadhyay columns 8 Perspectives Centering Equity in Communities Large and Small Carolyn F. McKnight Fredd 18 Advocacy Revitalizing Your Community With Federal Dollars Elyse Gentile 20 Health and Wellness Creating Equitable Community Wellness Hubs Maureen Neumann 22 Equity Bridging Community Through Equity and Belonging Roslyn Johnson, CPRP 24 Conservation Federal Funding Fosters Sustainability and Resilience Barbara Kapustin 26 Law Review Disorganized Lifeguard Response in Lake Drowning James C. Kozlowski, J.D., Ph.D. Page 18 Park and recreation agencies can use funds from the Community Development Block Grant Program to revitalize neighborhoods, drive economic development, and improve community facilities and services. Cover image: Photo courtesy of City of Rock Hill (South Carolina) 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. 6 Parks & Recreation | A UGUS T 2 0 2 3 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR Ghttp://ezine.nrpa.org