Parks and Recreation

Dogs enjoy a day with dog park equipment in a designated space

Adding dog park equipment to a park could make the local park manager a hero to dog owners for one simple reason.

Dogs were made to move. They want to exercise. They were originally bred to work - hunt, herd and protect. They were not made to sit on the couch all day.

Creating an off-leash dog park is one thing. But it's only a first step. Just like a child needs a playground and adults need a gym, dogs need something to do too.

And if they don't get some sort of exercise, just like people, they can revert to practicing some pretty bad habits.

For example, according the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, there are several benefits to keeping

Source: Resources for the Future surve

What types of challenges do state park directors face? Perhaps they can be solved with a Buy-A-Bench memorial bench or picnic table program.

Resources for the Future, non-profit organization founded in 1952 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., conducted a study a few years ago of state park directors to get an insight into the types of challenges they encounter and how they rank them in terms of minor problems or huge headaches.

The group's mission is to apply economics as a way to develop more effective policies on the use and conservation of natural resources.

Not surprisingly, results from the survey revealed lack of funding as the No. 1 headache. As states have tightened their budgetary belts, it seems the places that many legislators like to pick on are state parks.

According to the

A park visitor works out on outdoor gym equipment which is gaining in popularity

Outdoor fitness equipment is fast becoming the new "adult playground" at parks around the country as local citizens now prefer a total workout outside instead of just the normal jog or walk through the woods.

Park managers across the US report strong participation when they add these outside gyms, or "Fitness Zones" as they are called. That's good news, considering how there are many trends in society today causing us to burn fewer calories than normal (basically our tablets, cell phones and computers).

In fact, a recent survey of state park managers found one of their biggest concerns is how fewer and fewer young people are using park facilities. It doesn't take a university research team to figure out why: Those kids are at home on the couch playing video games

Dog owner using a dog waste statio

We all love dogs. Our canine brothers and sisters. Who doesn't? But there are a number of very important reasons why owners should have access to a dog waste station in any public area so we can still appreciate our furry friends. It's THE most essential piece of dog park equipment.

Sure, as a dog owner you might pick up after Fido does his business. Well, maybe most of the time. But here's a startling fact: About 40% of people in the US don't pick up

Example of vandalism at national parks

Park vandalism is an ugly problem and is highlighted this week by one person on a 10-park graffiti-spree ruining portions of national parks and then posting her work on social media. Consider installing metal picnic tables and metal benches are some of the solutions officials could use to deter vandalism, including more vigilant reporting and awareness by park users as happened in this case.

The National Park Service issued a report saying it is investigating incidents of vandalism in several western parks by a woman, who in a moronic display of selfishness, is painting images on park property. Not with chalk, which can be easily removed, but acrylic paint.

Parks affected reportedly include Yosemite National Park,