2014 PARK AND RECREATION MONTH
Editorial Article Template
Template 2014 Park and Recreation Month Editorial Story Sample (approx. 440 words as is)
Headline: (Name of park and recreation department) Wants You to Get OUTside and Experience Your Local Parks and Recreation
Subhead: Planned activities include (list a few planned activities here)
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 vital role local parks and recreation, such as [agency name], play in conservation, health and wellness, and social equity efforts in communities all across the country.
This year, [agency name] and NRPA want everyone to go OUTside, get INspired, change their OUTlook and get INvolved in the community. [Agency name] encourages and invites all people in [city/town name] to celebrate Park and Recreation Month during July by getting OUTside and INto their local parks.
This year’s theme, “OUT is IN,” was crowdsourced and then voted on by NRPA members via social media. The theme is intended to bring awareness to the need to connect more people, adults and children alike, to nature and the outdoors. In fact, a recent nationwide survey released by NRPA and conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs found that nearly three in 10 U.S. adults do not spend time outside on a daily basis and of those who do spend daily time outside, almost half spend less than 30 minutes in the fresh air.
In [city/town], you can help reverse this trend and take the OUT is IN challenge by doing a typical indoor activity outdoors everyday in July. You can also participate in [agency name]’s [complete sentence with local activities/ events /contests etc.].
“We are so excited to celebrate Park and Recreation Month and highlight the benefits of the great outdoors right here in [city/town name],” says [Agency leader]. Park and Recreation Month is a great time to just get out there and experience all the wonderful aspects of parks and recreation and gain an appreciation for the benefits they bring to the lives of the people of [city/town name],” [name of agency leader] continued.
[Agency name] is leading initiatives and providing opportunities for people to achieve healthier lifestyles, promote and understand nature and conservation as well as bringing the community closer through a variety of programs and services. [Add more details on any specific ways you make a difference in your community or any stats or success stories you may have that back up the impact you make.]
Nationally, NRPA is encouraging all people to participate in a 31-day social media challenge on Twitter and Instagram. Anyone can participate by posting photos of themselves doing typical inside activities outside with the hashtag #JulyOUTisIN. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org/July.
Learn about the exciting Park and Recreation Month activities planned for [town/city name] and more at [Fill-in local contact information here] or visit online at [Fill-in local park website URL here].
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