June 2024 – Parks & Recreation - 16

WE ARE PARKS AND RECREATION
Changing the Game
NRPA and USTA partner to serve active, healthy communities
By Bret Gaither
N
RPA is joining forces with the United States Tennis Association
(USTA) - the national governing body for the sport of
tennis and the leader in promoting and developing the sport's
growth on every level in the United States - to celebrate the
vital role of parks and recreation and tennis in promoting health and wellness
in communities nationwide. The partnership comes on the heels of
USTA unveiling its new purpose-driven mission statement - growing tennis
to inspire healthier communities everywhere - making this new collaboration
even more exciting.
One of the ways we are collaborating
is through NRPA's Park and
Recreation Month - an annual
celebration dedicated to recognizing
park and recreation professionals,
part-time and seasonal workers,
and volunteers who support
our country's local, state and community
parks. This year's theme
- " Where You Belong " - calls
attention to the many ways park
and recreation agencies across the
country foster a sense of belonging.
USTA, as the presenting sponsor,
along with Active Network and
Bobcat as this year's supporting
sponsors, are helping NRPA highlight
this work along with all the
diverse recreational offerings available
through park and recreation
agencies
nationwide,
ture NGO sports partners, will be
poised to make a lasting impact on
the field of parks and recreation
and sports at all levels of play.
USTA also
will
serve as
Pillar sponsors support
this
year's Health and Wellness Pillar
sponsor.
including
tennis facilities.
Beyond Park and Recreation
Month, USTA is one of NRPA's
first non-governmental organization
(NGO) sports partners. At
NRPA, we believe that all people
- no matter their race, ethnicity,
ability, age, gender identity, household
income or interests - deserve
equitable
NRPA's work through its Three
Pillars: Health and Wellness, Equity,
and Conservation. The Health
and Wellness Pillar underscores
NRPA's commitment to promoting
physical and mental health through
access to physical
nutrition
opportunities
activities and
offered
through park and recreation agencies
acting as Community Wellness
Hubs. As the Health and Wellness
Pillar sponsor, USTA will help
NRPA advance its work toward
this commitment all year long.
The collaboration between
access to high-quality
sports opportunities. As one of
the largest providers of organized
and unorganized sports programs
across the country, park and recreation
agencies can make this vision
a reality. We can harness this
potential and advance solutions
that increase play equity in communities
nationwide by working
with partners like USTA, which is
committed to equity and leveling
the playing field of opportunity for
all. By aligning on this initiative,
NRPA and USTA, along with fuNRPA
is joining forces with the United
States Tennis Association to celebrate
the vital role of parks and recreation and
tennis in promoting health and wellness.
16 Parks & Recreation | JUNE 2 0 2 4 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
NRPA and USTA celebrates the
ability of parks and recreation
and the game of tennis to foster
active, healthy communities nationwide
and promotes inclusive
access to recreational opportunities.
We aim to inspire positive
change; empower individuals of
all ages and backgrounds to lead
healthier, more active lifestyles;
and ensure parks, recreation centers
and tennis courts nationwide
continue to serve as vibrant and
inclusive spaces for community
engagement and physical activity
for generations to come.
Bret Gaither is Senior Director
of Development at NRPA
(bgaither@nrpa.org).
June 2024 – Parks & Recreation

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