As we see more frequent and severe weather, the sometimes overlooked but critical role of park and recreation professionals in emergency preparedness and emergency response has never been more vital. That’s why it’s been so meaningful for me to support the National Recreation and Park Association’s Emergency Preparedness and Response initiative within their Environmental Resilience pillar over the last few months.
According to new data from NRPA:
– 85% of park and recreation agencies are actively engaged in preparing for and responding to disasters.
– The most commonly addressed emergencies include severe weather events—thunderstorms, high winds, lightning, winter storms, and extreme heat—reported by at least 60% of agencies.
From opening shelters and clearing debris to supporting public health and safety, park and recreation professionals are essential partners in community resilience.
This report sheds light on their experiences, challenges, and the opportunities to strengthen their impact.
Learn more about how parks and recreation are keeping communities safe in an era of climate extremes from the newly-released report including findings from a member survey here.
Thanks to Kellie May, Bret Gaither, Cassie Pais, Cathy Bradley for being such great collaborators!
Edgewood Insights 