contents october departments 14 We Are Parks and Recreation Equity in Practice 14 Inspiring Innovation in Your Organization 16 Are You Taking Advantage of Your NRPA Member Benefits? 19 20 Research U.S. Adults Place High Value on Parks and Recreation Melissa May and Catherine Tepper 22 Park Pulse People Want Parks and Recreation Close to Home 69 Operations Expanding Equitable Shoreline Access Tim Carter 70 Product Preview 71 Park Essentials 79 Advertiser Index 80 Park Bench Community Takes Root in Raytown, Missouri Toni Alexander columns 10 Perspectives Looking Toward the Future of Parks and Recreation Carolyn F. McKnight Fredd 12 Editor's Letter Shared Knowledge Helps Us to Be Our Best Selves Vitisia Paynich 24 Advocacy Investing in Parks for All Dan McCarthy 26 Health and Wellness Explore the Seven Dimensions of Well-Being at the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference Cina Makres 28 Equity Telling My Transgender Story Karen Kendra Holmes 30 Conservation Advancing Equity and Conservation Through Environmental Education Rebekah Kammeyer 32 Law Review Historical Tradition of Firearm Regulation in Public Parks James C. Kozlowski, J.D., Ph.D. Page 30 Environmentalists often describe environmental education as having a feeling of connectivity while in nature. Cover image: Photo courtesy of Vernā Myers and Laurie Bell Bishop 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 | O CTOBER 2 0 2 3 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G PHOTO COURTESY OF KATEY COOK, LOUISVILLE (KENTUCKY) METRO PARKS AND RECREATIONhttp://ezine.nrpa.org