The Unleashed: Off-leash Dog Park Design Trends and Planning Tips guidebook helps communities effectively advocate for the many benefits of off-leash dog parks. Dog parks provide enjoyable ways to recreate and exercise for both dog owners and their dogs. They also create community destinations. Research shows there are many positive effects for individuals that own a dog(s); as well as health and social benefits of owning a dog, caring for it, and recreating outdoors with pets. In addition, design considerations and case study examples are outlined to effectively design a dog park and champion initiatives that provide meaningful outcomes supporting overall health and social benefits for the community.

Join us for an insightful webinar discussing the intricate landscape of securing funding within municipal governments. We'll explore the complexities of government structures, the nuances of agency contracting processes, and the potential pitfalls along the way. Discover why adopting innovative approaches is crucial and explore alternative contracting methods to mitigate risks. Uncover the importance of understanding funding source deadlines and leveraging community health and wellness data to strengthen proposals. Gain invaluable insights into maximizing funding opportunities while ensuring the well-being of your community.

Meeting the minimum accessibility design standards for play and recreation areas is the first step to ensuring everyone can participate, enjoy, and experience park and play area facilities. During this session, a panel of individuals with disabilities and professionals who support persons with disabilities will discuss features that can “make or break” play and recreational opportunities for individuals with autism or who are neurodivergent or have developmental, physical, sensory, or communication needs. Strategies, design elements, barriers, and accessibility will be discussed from their unique perspective. We hope you will join us for this look beyond the minimum accessibility design standards to discover how your community can make your park and play areas more inclusive for everyone. This is the third session of a yearlong four-part Beyond the Minimums accessibility series. This webinar will feature real-time captioning and video remote interpreting (VRI).

Determining what makes an outdoor setting ideal for early childhood development and how to craft such spaces is essential. Equally vital is educating future designers and educators to create environments that support age-appropriate play and learning. This lecture will tackle these inquiries, discussing the characteristics of effective outdoor environments that cater to the developmental needs of children aged 0-8. It will explore the connection between children's developmental requirements and various design features and landscape elements. Additionally, the session will delve into methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness of these environments and identify strategies to design interactive, engaging, natural, and healthy outdoor spaces that promote holistic development in children.

Many park and recreation agencies and other public organizations, struggle to fund capital and operating expenses with traditional funding sources typically generated through tax dollars. This session will introduce alternative funding opportunities that can assist agencies, no matter how large or small, in identifying potential new funding sources to help diversify their financial portfolios. Specific topics to be presented include an overview of alternative funding options, methods to evaluate the suitability for an agency and its community, and success stories that have utilized alternative funding for community projects and services.

Join us for our "Summer Programming Survival Guide" webinar, designed to equip park and recreation professionals with essential strategies for a successful summer season. This engaging session will cover best practices for summer planning, leadership techniques with a social equity focus, and methods to prevent burnout. Additionally, discover creative ideas to celebrate Parks and Recreation Month and ensure your community enjoys a memorable and inclusive summer.