Page 9 - Parks and Recreation

Top 20 National Parks Based on Visitors in 2015

This is National Park Week in the United States (April 16-24). A great time to appreciate the spectacular national wonders that we are blessed with in this country. Here is a list of the Top 20 National Parks based on visitors in 2015. Please share this with your friends (just hit share buttons at bottom of the page.)

Top 20 National Parks 201

As an added bonus, during the week, the US National Park Service is opening up all national parks for free admission! There are some changes in rankings from last year. Click here to see last year's Top 20 National Parks.

Note: The Park and Facilities Catalog is a strong advocate for national, state and local parks. Our staff has visited nearly every national park in the country.

As a business, we are a national supplier of park furnishings such as park benches to parks around the country and commercial site furnishings to retail centers and offices. See our full selection of furnishings that are

The unique Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA, one of the parks featured in "10 Parks That Changed America

Put in your calendar the date for a new PBS documentary called, "10 Parks That Changed America."

The landmarks followed in the documentary represent an eclectic look at the different styles and influences of these parks in American history.

The "10 Parks that Changed America" are: The Squares of Savannah, GA Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA Central Park, New York City, NY Chicago's Neighborhood Parks, Chicago, IL The River Walk, San Antonio, TX Overton Park, Memphis, TN Freeway Park, Seattle, WA Gas Works Park, Seattle, WA The High Line, New York City, NY

Each of these 10 parks has a unique story to tell.

For example, as we wrote in a previous blog, Central Park has 9,000 benches. Many of them contain messages from sponsors that cover a gamut of proposals, memorials and just witty sayings.

This massive park surrounded by a sea of concrete and steel is

Dog playground equipmen

What do dog owners love? Dog parks and dog amenities where their dogs can burn off steam. There's a list of essential dog playground equipment that will make any dog park a success.

(By the way, here's a free and complete dog park guide on how to create your own popular play space for dogs and their owners).

If you are a park manager or a facility manager here is one number you really need to know - nearly 40% of ALL households in the US own a dog.

Think of the great service you can provide to nearly half the citizens in your area if you add a dog park. Dog parks are a great place where dogs can exercise, socialize with other dogs, learn obedience lessons and just blow off all that pent-up energy.

Research shows that 55% of parks departments now also manage a dog park.

If funds are not available, you can be sure to find thousands of passionate dog lovers in any town who can form a non-profit group to raise money.

Dog playground equipment comes in many forms

Here's

Wed. March 30 is "Take a Walk in a Park Day" and a time to appreciate the value of parks

If you are looking for something to do on Wed., March 30, here's a worthwhile (and free) activity to fill your calendar. That day is national "Take A Walk In A Park Day."

This official designation is meant as a reminder for Americans to set aside time Wednesday or any day for a walk in a park and get yourself a shot of "Vitamin G" (for green).

It's not an endeavor that will cost you any money. You won't need special equipment to participate. You can do it alone or with a friend.

Okay, people might say. I get it. Taking a walk in a park is good for you. Inhale a bit of fresh air, absorb a little sunshine, take a few minutes to relax. And then get out of there. Sure, we're kind of busy but we will keep that take a walk in a park day in mind.

Actually, there's a much bigger picture behind take a walk in a park day.

According to study titled "Parks and Other Green Environments: Essential Components of

Park benches in Central Park - there are 9,000 of the

By Alysa Kleinman

"I love you very much and look forward to marrying you ... but if we have a fight you can always sleep here."

You just read one of around 4,100 personalized messages engraved on park benches in Central Park. The simple inscriptions make these cold benches surprisingly human, with messages from hilarious to heart warming. They add to the unique community feel that you can only find in the most visited urban park in America.

"For C& B- who survived the Holocaust, and began a life in this city. With deep love and abiding memory- from your children and grandchildren."

"Sit. Relax. Take a Deep Breath. Enjoy the day."

"Angie, Have I asked you to marry me yet today? Love, Mike."

"…This is a place to dream things that never were—and ask why not."

"Daydreamers welcome."

For around $10,000 per bench, lovers rich and poor of all ages can adopt a park bench from the Central Park Conservancy. The

Baseball fans enjoy the game from their aluminum bleacher

By Gerald Dlubala

This spring, when the umpire yells out the familiar, "Play ball!" it will mean opening day for many youth baseball programs with kids on the field and parents filling aluminum bleachers. It will also mean the opening of many new, exciting, all-inclusive sports complexes.

Popping up everywhere, these new mega-complexes are no longer related to the days of the old baseball diamond laid out in a local park or field that just happened to have enough room.

And the term "youth sports" has slickly been transformed into "youth sports tourism", the fastest growing segment in the travel industry.

With sports complexes being built and furnished costing millions of dollars, these venues are not only built for the kids, but they are being designed with the parents and any other travelers in mind as well.

They are now considered destination venues, not just a place to go for your child's next tournament baseball games.

These

Tips on the placement of park benches - great scenery demands great seatin

Park benches can turn any spot into a gathering place for relaxation and play. Whether you are people-watching, reading a book, relaxing outdoors, or enjoying your lunch, the placement of a bench in the right spot is critical to optimize the use of outdoor site furnishings.

Most people aren't aware of the planning and strategy that goes into placing a park bench, but bench placement can certainly cause controversy. For example, in one town, the city placed new benches away from the road and facing downtown businesses instead. The reason for this placement was to improve safety and encourage interaction with businesses.

Many local residents were unhappy with the park bench placement, arguing that it wasn't conducive to parade-watching. Since parts of the downtown were still developing, some of the commercial park benches faced empty lots or fences, which isn't exactly the most luxurious view.

How many times have

Potato Chip Rock - a great place to go on First Hike Da

Here's a choice for the New Year. Rather than wake up with a hangover, wake up and put on a pair of hiking boots for a First Day Hike. Thousands of Americans will be doing the same on Jan. 1 as well.

First Day Hikes are becoming more and more popular around the country. They are promoted by the National Association of State Park Directors as a way to start the new year right, out in the fresh air, absorbing sunlight and moving those muscles.

"Last year, we hosted a record-breaking 41,000 people who hiked 74,442 miles in our state parks across the country when we launched America's State Parks First Day Hikes," said Priscilla Geigis, president of the NASPD. "Think of it as the start of a new and healthy lifestyle, for the whole family. Whether you're staying close to home or traveling, join us at one of America's State Parks on New Year's Day."

You see promotions for First Day Hikes at parks in every corner of the country. Park directors

Child on a park bench enjoys a day outside with a friend

The holidays are a time of celebration, gift giving and spending way too much time indoors. Here are several holiday tips for the season on why you might want to get your family out of the house, off the couches and hanging out on park benches instead.

First of all, the average American spends waaaaay too much time indoors. It is estimated that we occupy 93% of our time inside something- whether it's a home, an office or a car.

That's not good.

For one, time sitting on a park bench and under the sun will increase your levels of Vitamin D. This vitamin is crucial for fighting infections, flus, colds and bad germs in general. Sunlight has incredible powers.

For example, one study reported that people in hospitals who were exposed to sunlight in their rooms used 22% less pain medication than other patients. That's while they were still inside.

Secondly, children need to be outdoors to increase their overall levels of activity. Sure,

NRPA study reveals that the economic impact of parks is tremendous

When you hear people talk about the economy, you always hear them refer to manufacturing or service businesses or finance. But you rarely hear people mention the economic impact of parks.

According to a study by the National Recreation and Park Association, the revenue from regional and local parks is worth paying attention to! We're talking about a figure of $140 billion in economic activity. All that spending also supports one million jobs in the US.

That's one heck of an impact.

Think about it. Every county, city and town in the US has a bunch of parks. Dozens of them. After all, people recognize that the number of quality parks in a town is one measure of the quality of life overall in that community.

Now think about what happens at those parks. Every day, especially on weekends, individuals and families trek to their favorite local or regional park. To get there, they buy gas. If they plan to hold a picnic, they buy

 

"Trekking the National Parks" is a board game where players "trek" to Yosemite and other national parks. (Photo by John Binkele

People love to hike our national parks. People love to play games. How about a board game about our national parks that allows you to do both? There's actually a successful Kickstarter project called "Trekking the National Parks" that is an excellent way to entertain and inspire people to appreciate our natural wonders.

The concept is a simple one developed by a family of dedicated hikers - The Binkeles. There's the son Charlie, who serves as the creative artist and board game designer, mom Terry, the chief of finance and shipping department  and there's dad John who handles the marketing and photography -  all passionate outdoor enthusiasts.

"The idea behind developing the game was to create more awareness of the amazing resources we have in our backyard and to encourage people to take advantage of them," said John.

As for the game, here's how you play.

National park posters recreated in the classic style of the original 14 posters painted by WPA artists in the 1930s

You've seen those incredible, iconic posters of national parks. The ones with the cool retro lettering and pastel colors. But did you know there were actually only 14 of these posters created for our national parks?

Rob Decker, founder of National Park Posters, wants to change all that. His mission is to continue the legacy of documenting our beautiful national parks with the same motif started by artists working for the Works Progress Administration back in the 1930s.

First some background on the original, classic posters. As you may remember from your history classes, the WPA was created during the Great Depression when millions of people were out of work.

Then President Franklin D. Roosevelt knew he had to do something to jump start the economy but more importantly to put food in the mouths of families. There were reportedly 20 million people on relief of some sort. He

Custom bike rack donated by The Park Catalog to the Delray Beach Parks and Rec Dept. From left, Suzanne Davis, director, Danielle Pearson, site supervisor of the "505" Teen Center and Christopher George of The Park Catalo

Delray Beach Florida prides itself on being a unique village by the sea. And when it comes to the Delray Beach Parks and Rec Department, that philosophy certainly creates some unique challenges and opportunities.

Take their "505" Teen Recreation Center for example.

They have the usual Xbox video games, table tennis, popcorn machine, big screen TVs and couches. Outside there is the Hobbit Skate Park and some basketball courts.

But inside, there is something you won't find in too many parks and recreation centers - a music recording studio.

Yep, they have one. Complete with a sound mixer and soundproof walls. (Well, it's not exactly the type of sound studio that Jay Z or The Stones would record in, but it's got the basic concept down).

"It's not a typical item," said Suzanne

 

Rendering of proposed Lowline underground park. Source: www.thelowline.or

There's a major transformation taking place around the world and like any major change, there are rippling effects that go along with it.

That's why a project currently in development in New York City - the "Lowline underground park" could have major implications around the world. (Ironically, today is "Back to the Future Day" wherein the movie Marty McFly travels forward in time to save his children).

Because here's one major fact. The population in urban areas is going to double.

Millennials, those born between the 1980s to 2000, are moving to the cities. After living through the Great Recession, they realize that's where the jobs are. There are more opportunities and employment choices in metro areas.

Secondly, after growing up in the suburbs, this young generation also feel cities are where the action is - more nightlife, more attractions, and many more choices than offered by the local malls.

Third - millennials

Colorful water park slides and pool

While most US cities are not located near an ocean, many municipalities are now finding a sea of revenue by opening up their own water park to the delight of local residents and attract tourist dollars. Cities are breaking records every year with attendance. More and more town officials are finding a way to justify the cost to build a water park and transforming a pool into a wonderland of slides, "lazy rivers," wave simulators and fountains.

In fact Hotel & Leisure Advisors reports there are now a total of 858 water parks in the US. Those are parks owned by either a municipality or resort hotel.

If you live in the Midwest, you no longer have to travel all the way to Orlando to fly down a mammoth slide. There are more water parks there - 339 - than anywhere else.

The Southern US is next, followed by the West and then the Northeast.

When it comes to outdoor water parks, municipalities lead the way. There are 345 city-owned facilities located in the US