September 2024 – Parks & Recreation - 15

limited transportation and program
costs, can hinder participation.
Elevating Hispanic Voices
During the past two decades, many
Hispanic and Latinx professionals
have entered the park and recreation
field, eager to provide cultural
competence skills and bridge gaps.
However, challenges remain, such
as underrepresentation
in
Despite
leadership
roles and limited support
for initiatives tailored to Hispanic
communities.
Hispanics
comprising 17.8 percent of the U.S.
population in 2023, only 16 NRPA
Certified Park and Recreation Executives
and 248 Certified Park and
Recreation Professionals were Hispanic,
representing just 4.4 percent
and 4.7 percent, respectively.
In response to these challenges,
a group of Hispanic professionals
brainstormed the creation of
a nonprofit group to empower the
Hispanic voice, develop connections,
and create a forum for Hispanics
in the park and recreation
profession. The group first met at
the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference
in Phoenix, and thus, Hispanic
Professionals in Parks and
Recreation (HPPR) was born. In a
little more than a year, HPPR has
grown to more than 400 members,
proving the need for such a group.
To better understand how to best
serve the members of the group,
a 2023 survey was conducted and
revealed that networking, educational
programs and certification
opportunities were the most popular
needs. In response, the group
has hosted
career options,
several webinars on
professional
development,
social media visibility,
CAPRA Accreditation and certification
strategies. HPPR also developed
a mentorship program, pairing
less-experienced
participants
with mentors based on association,
interests and geography. HPPR
shares information about member
speaking engagements at various
local, state, national and international
events, maintains a dynamic
calendar of such events, and
highlights member achievements
monthly to inspire the community.
Additionally, the group provides
a continuously updated list of job
opportunities and creates social opportunities
for networking.
Advancing Equity
HPPR is just one piece of evidence
of why the role of Hispanic professionals
in parks and recreation is
not only essential to breaking down
barriers that exist within Hispanic
communities, but also critical to
advancing the work of equity and
inclusion in the field. Since its inception,
this group of Hispanic professionals
has established valuable
partnerships with various organizations,
such as the Ethnic Minority
Society, where they share vital
information, and NRPA. Together
with NRPA, HPPR has been working
on translating several certifications
into Spanish, developing a
ProConnect network, and promoting
the " Where You Belong " campaign
within the Spanish-speaking
community as Donde Pertences. The
group has also built connections
with state associations and international
organizations, including the
Asociación Nacional de Parques y
Recreación Mexico, the Departamento
de Recreación y Deportes
de Puerto Rico, and World Urban
Parks. These collaborations have
expanded HPPR's network and
bolstered support for its initiatives.
HPPR is just one piece of
evidence of why the role of
Hispanic professionals in
parks and recreation is not
only essential to breaking
down barriers that exist within
Hispanic communities, but also
critical to advancing the work of
equity and inclusion in the field.
Through empowering the Hispanic
voice, we can foster a more
inclusive environment in parks
and recreation, ensuring Hispanic
communities have greater access,
representation and opportunities
to thrive in this field.
For more information on HPPR,
visit hppr.online.
Special thanks to the HPPR distinguished
advisors: Jesús Aguirre, NRPA
board chair; Maria I. Nardi, director
of Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation
and Open Spaces Department;
Henry Perez Alonso, director of Town
of Danville (California) Recreation,
Arts and Community Services; Cynthia
Aguilar, director of Phoenix Parks
and Recreation Department; AP Diaz,
superintendent of City of Seattle Parks
and Recreation; Homer Garcia, director
of City of San Antonio Parks and
Recreation; and the unconditional support
and mentorship of Chris Nunes,
chief operating officer at The Woodlands
Township in Texas).
Juan Acevedo, Edwin Rivera-Guzman, Eric Lòpez, Tony
Salinas, Angie Encerrado Rance, Matt Martínez and María
Cepeda are HPPR Board Members.
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | SEP T EMBER 2 0 2 4 | Parks & Recreation
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http://www.hppr.online http://www.hppr.online/
September 2024 – Parks & Recreation

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