contents october departments 14 We Are Parks and Recreation Parks and Recreation as Refuge 14 The Verdict Is in on Synthetic Fields 18 Durant Parks and Recreation Hosts Inaugural Sports Festival 20 An Intern's Journey From Job to Passion 22 Including More Paddlers With an Accessible Kayak Launch 24 NRPA Members - Access Your Free Copy of a Journal Article Today 25 26 Research The Park and Recreation Salary Survey Report Returns Samantha Serrano 27 Park Pulse The Benefits of Working in Parks and Recreation 70 Operations High-Security, Vandal-Proof Structures Josh Gaunt 71 Park Essentials 79 Advertiser Index 80 Park Bench Valpo Parks Hosts Solar Eclipse Viewing Party Cristina Darr columns 10 Perspectives Creating a Healthy Future for All Jesús Aguirre 12 Editor's Letter Parks and Recreation Helps Us All Find Our Place Vitisia Paynich 28 Advocacy Park Power: From Federal Funds to Field Visits Kaitlyn Kaufman and Christian Miller 30 Health and Wellness Stay Active and Independent for Life Barb Erbstoesser 32 Equity Collaborating for Inclusion Cayla Hammaker and Jacob Tyree 34 Conservation Conservation-Focused Federal Frameworks and Technical Resources Ayanna Williams, MSW 36 Law Review Is a Three-Year Park Access Ban for Littering Constitutional? James C. Kozlowski, J.D., Ph.D. Adults ages 55 and older participate in the West Fargo (North Dakota) Park District's Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) program. Cover image: Photo courtesy of Dan Buettner 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 4 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G Page 30 PHOTO COURTESY OF WEST FARGO (NORTH DAKOTA) PARK DISTRICThttp://ezine.nrpa.org