Each July, communities across the country come together to celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month, a time to recognize the vital role that parks, green spaces, and recreational areas play in enriching our lives. At Playground Guardian, we believe there’s no better way to honor this month than by ensuring that the spaces where children play are not only fun but safe and well-maintained.
A Look Back: The History of National Parks and Recreation
The roots of this celebration trace back to 1985, when the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) declared July as National Parks and Recreation Month to highlight the essential value of public parks and recreational opportunities. But the movement to preserve public spaces goes back even further.
In 1872, the United States made history by establishing Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park. This bold act inspired generations of conservation and community development, eventually leading to the formation of the National Park Service in 1916. As the appreciation for green spaces grew, so did the understanding that local parks, like neighborhood playgrounds and sports fields, are just as essential as national treasures.
The Power of Parks and Playgrounds
Parks and playgrounds do more than provide a place to play. They foster community, promote health and wellness, encourage social interaction, and help children build essential physical and cognitive skills. According to the NRPA, 9 in 10 people agree that parks are essential for quality of life.
But with great joy comes great responsibility. Ensuring the safety and upkeep of these spaces is critical, especially for playgrounds, where broken equipment, worn surfacing, or lack of proper maintenance can put children at risk.
Safety First: Playground Guardian’s Commitment
At Playground Guardian, we help communities keep playgrounds safe, compliant, and welcoming for all. Through our routine inspections, surface attenuation testing, and other on-site services, we partner with parks and recreation departments across the country to identify hazards and prevent accidents before they happen.
Our Park Protector system, an exclusive cloud-based inspection and management software, makes it easy for teams to track inspections and maintenance, ensuring that every swing, slide, and jungle gym is as safe as it is fun. This month, as families gather in parks to celebrate, we’re proud to be the behind-the-scenes guardians helping protect their memories and milestones.
How You Can Celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month
- Visit a local playground and make sure it’s clean and safe; report any concerns to your parks department.
- Thank your local parks and recreation team for the work they do year-round.
- Volunteer for a cleanup day or donate to organizations supporting safe and inclusive play.
- Share photos of your favorite playgrounds using #NationalParksAndRecMonth and #SafePlaygrounds to spread awareness.
Let’s Play it Safe, Together
This National Parks and Recreation Month, let’s do more than just enjoy our parks; let’s protect them. At Playground Guardian, we believe every child deserves a safe place to play, and every community deserves the peace of mind that comes with it. Happy Parks and Recreation Month from all of us at Playground Guardian!
