Month-long celebration highlights essential value of parks and recreation for local communities
Pensacola residents know their parks and recreation facilities provide places to get active, explore nature or connect with fellow community members. But what they may not know is that their parks and recreation department also contributes to improved health outcomes, higher property values and environmental sustainability.
Parks and recreation areas have the power to strengthen communities, transform lives and protect the future. That’s why this year, the City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation joins cities across the country in celebrating the power of parks and recreation for the 30th anniversary of Park and Recreation Month—an annual event created by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and celebrated in July since 1985.
“July is the perfect time to highlight the benefits parks and recreation provides right here in Pensacola,” said Mayor Ashton J. Hayward. “From summer camps to playgrounds, and concerts to movies under the stars, thousands of Pensacola families will be gathering in local parks this July to celebrate summer together or just to play for the day. I am especially proud of the parks and recreation programs and services we have in the City of Pensacola and the vital role our Parks and Recreation staff play in improving the lives of all of our citizens,” Hayward added.
The City of Pensacola is leading initiatives and providing opportunities for people to achieve healthier lifestyles, promote and understand nature and conservation as well as bringing the community closer through a variety of programs and services.
Play Pensacola Summer Camps are a great example of an overall city-wide initiative in parks that meets these objectives. “We’re instilling lifelong values in our youngest citizens everyday through play and learning so they will take these habits into adulthood and pass the legacy and benefits of parks and recreation on to their children one day,” said Recreation & Special Events Superintendent Kim Carmody.
Nationally, NRPA is celebrating by sharing the impact parks and recreation has in every community by releasing a short animated video titled, “Power of Parks.” The video can be viewed at www.nrpa.org/July-Power-of-Parks. NRPA encourages all people that support parks and recreation to watch and share this video with the hashtag #JulyPRM30.
Learn about Park and Recreation Month activities and download your Play Pensacola Park and Recreation Month Calendar at www.playpensacola.com.
About The City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department
The City of Pensacola has a total of 93 parks & open spaces, along with 8 resource centers which are maintained by the Parks & Building Maintenance Divisions, programmed by the Recreation Division, and utilized by Pensacola residents and City organizations. The mission of the Parks & Recreation Department is to improve and promote the quality of life for all citizens and visitors of Pensacola by protecting the heritage of our parks while providing a wide range of recreational, social, and educational opportunities.
About The National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 50,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit NRPA.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit ParksAndRecreation.org.