Pennsylvania’s new app helps families of children with disabilities find parks that meet their child’s needs
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On Friday July 19, 2024, Parks and Recreation staff gathered across PA to celebrate Park and Recreation Professionals Day. A day to honor those who make your parks and recreation facilities possible and accessible. We’re talking about the essential workers, the lifeguards, the camp counselors, the trail educators, the maintenance workers, the park directors, and everyone in between.
Why we celebrate Park & Recreation Pros
When you enter your local park, everything is ready for you to enjoy. Maybe you make your way to your favorite spot on the grass or bench, or maybe you decide to take a dip in the public pool on a scorching hot day. Wherever you turn to experience joy in the park, it’s the unseen work of the Parks and Recreation staff that make it possible for you to enjoy safe, clean facilities in your community.
A good park, the ones that keep you coming back or naturally become part of your routine—those places require a level of care and attention that few are cut out for. Maybe you only see them on a weekly basis, you may not know all of them by name, but these park professionals are the heartbeat of your favorite outdoor parks and facilities.
On Friday, July 19, 2024, Parks and Recreation staff gathered across PA to celebrate Park and Recreation Professionals Day. A day to honor those who make your parks and recreation facilities possible and accessible. We’re talking about the essential workers, the lifeguards, the camp counselors, the trail educators, the maintenance workers, the park directors, and everyone in between.
We’d have a celebration for them every day if we could, but July 19th is just for them.
Our three “Spotlight Parks” were Butler County Parks & Recreation, Northampton Township Parks & Recreation, and Dauphin County Parks & Recreation. But the celebration was spread across the state! Here are some highlights of fun (and unique!) ways staff across PA chose to appreciate the park professionals who make it all possible.
Berks County
Bucks County
Butler County
Butler County hosted the 2024 Can-Am Police-Fire Games which promote Camaraderie and physical fitness amount first responders, their families and their agencies. Kids showed up in droves for ice cream at Butler County’s Parks and Rec Professionals Day. It was a gorgeous day to thank the park professionals for their dedication and hard work that make recreational opportunities accessible to the community.
Centre County
Centre County celebrated with a field full of teambuilding games, and a stop at the pool, to show park professionals how much they appreciate their work to enhance everything public parks offer Pennsylvanians.
Crown Point Park
What other way to celebrate Park and Recreation Professionals Day than with a ribbon ceremony! All fun was had by kids racing to the jungle gym for the first of many memorable days at the updated Crown Point Park in Susquehanna Township
Dauphin County
Dauphin County Parks and Recreation celebrated their staff with some sweet, cool treats made especially for them!
Doylestown County
Doylestown celebrated to thank their parks employees and board members for their dedication to taking care of their parks and making recreation programs possible for everyone.
Lancaster County
Lancaster County honored their Parks and Recreation staff and Park Rangers in July, which they have officially recognized as Parks and Recreation Month. Lancaster staff manages more than 2K acres of parkland over nine county parks with trails, sports facilities, and the Lancaster County pool.
Northampton Township
Parents, coworkers, members of the Board of Supervisors, and the Northampton Township Fire Department gathered for some live music and fun to thank their amazing staff for keeping their parks and outdoor facilities alive!
Pine Grove Furnace
Nothing short of friendly faces from parks staff year-round in Pine Grove Furnace State Park
PA’s 2024 Good Job Award Recipient Honors a 30-Year Career
Congratulations to Dave Burger of Doylestown!
Dave started working for the Doylestown Borough as a part-time Summer Laborer back in 1993. Over the years, Dave has had multiple roles from Parks Maintenance Foreman to Assistant Director of Public Works in 2023. On the less official side of things, Dave is also known for stepping up as the Easter Bunny for the annual egg hunt, orchestrating the town’s “magical” holiday elf display from a bucket truck, and rescuing owls and ducks in distress.
Dave’s commitment to the park system is undeniable. His efforts ensure that playgrounds and fields are not just safe and functional, but also filled with joy and wonder. Congratulations, Dave, on your impressive career and well-deserved recognition!
