Park and Recreation Month is one of our favorite times of year here at NRPA, and as we celebrate, we wanted to give one of our favorite episodes another spin. This episode originally aired as Episode 176, and it captures exactly what this month is all about: a collection of powerful stories showing how parks and recreation strengthens communities and changes lives.

We're revisiting our conversations with:

Shannon Barrett, CPRP, recreation coordinator for City of Kerman (California) Parks, Recreation and Community Services, and participants from the Walk With Ease program, who share how a simple walking initiative has built a tight-knit, supportive community.
Danielle Bachelder, CPRP, senior parks manager for Broward County (Florida) Parks and Recreation, and a young participant in the Pony Tales program, who discuss how a literacy-based initiative that invites children to read to horses is making an impact on children, families and the horses alike.

You'll also hear:

How a program can start small and grow into a lasting, self-sustaining community
Why the person leading a program can make or break the participant experience
What "progress, not perfection" looks like for both program participants and the staff who lead them
Why the simplest programs (the ones built on nothing more than walking, reading or just showing up) are often the most powerful

One More Reason to Celebrate

Speaking of Park and Recreation Month, don't forget there's still time to enter the Park and Recreation Month Sweepstakes for a chance to win:

A complimentary full-package registration to the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference in Philadelphia
Three nights of lodging at a hotel in the official NRPA housing block
A $500 gift card to help cover travel expenses

Entries close Friday, July 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT

Want another shot at a free registration? Listen to a new episode of Guardians of Greenspaces and submit your feedback for an additional chance to win.

Have feedback about this episode or Open Space Radio overall? Share it with us!

If you enjoyed this episode or learned something that might help you make a positive impact in your community, please consider donating to NRPA to support not only our storytelling efforts but also our mission to advance parks, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all at nrpa.org/donate.

This season of Open Space Radio is sponsored by BCI Burke. July is Park and Recreation Month, a celebration of the people and places that help communities thrive. At BCI Burke, they're proud to support park and recreation professionals as they create welcoming outdoor spaces that inspire connection, movement and belonging. Learn more at bciburke.com.