By Heather Wood

Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation’s official Park and Recreation month. Created by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Park and Recreation month specifically highlights the essential and powerful role local park and recreation professionals – such as our staff at Kernersville Parks and Recreation – play in building stronger, more vibrant and more resilient communities all across the country.

This July, we are bringing attention to how important it is to rise up and support the field of parks and recreation, because every day park and recreation professionals rise up for their communities in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being.

July is the perfect time to share how our park and recreation professionals in Kernersville rise up for members of the community and provide essential services. We encourage everyone in Kernersville to show your gratitude by stopping and giving thanks to the ones that make our parks beautiful and safe, our programs and events affordable and available to all, and the friendly voice on the other end of the line when you call our facility. 

Parks are at the center of so many experiences and memories — moments that park and recreation professionals help make happen. Our local parks are often our first experiences in nature and our introduction to a favorite hobby or physical activity. They are places to gather with friends and family, spaces to celebrate life’s special moments, spots of respite and healing, sites that connect us with essential community services, and so much more. Local parks have been essential throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of your community members finding a new appreciation for the essential spaces we manage and vital programs we provide.

Kernersville Parks and Recreation is always leading initiatives and providing opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, and identities to achieve healthier lifestyles, promote and understand nature and environmental resilience, as well as bringing the community closer through a variety of programs and services. Park and Recreation Month encourages everyone to reflect on the exponential value park and recreation professionals bring to communities. We love seeing our Adaptive Recreation division continue to grow and offer our challenger leagues a safe environment for participants to be themselves and have fun!

According to NRPA’s 2021 Engagement with Parks Report, people place a high value on the programs and services that park and recreation agencies deliver to their local communities every day and strongly support their mission.

• 260 million people in the United States visited a local park or recreation facility at least once during the past year.
• More than seven in ten U.S. residents have at least one local park, playground, open space or recreation center within walking distance of their homes.
• Four in five U.S. adults seek high-quality parks and recreation when choosing a place to live.
• 87% of people agree that parks and recreation is an important service provided by their local government.
• According to a 2021 NRPA Park Pulse poll, more than nine in ten U.S. adults say it is important for local government to invest in community infrastructure, such as parks, community centers, recreation facilities and senior centers.

There is no better way to celebrate Park and Recreation month than by highlighting the people who faithfully serve their communities all year long. Join us this July as “We Rise Up for Parks and Recreation!”