Anniversary wishes.

Members send their thoughts of NRPA's contributions to the park and recreation field.

"Even in my retirement, the association provides a way for me to stay abreast of what is happening in the field. Should it continue to grow and prosper, [NRPA] will leave a formidable conduit through which professionals and citizens can continue to press for high standards in parks and recreation."

--John Davis, NRPA past president, 1975 am former executive director, 1976-1986

"My membership started in 1958 with the National Recreation Association. NRPA is still relevant because no other national organization focuses on the broad well-being issues that people face in their daily lives."

--Jack Moody, NRPA past president, 1976

"[NRPA] is 40 and going strong! I have pride in being on the Board of Trustees, a local commissioner and a consumer of services."

--Janice Prochaska, Rhode Island 

"I have a feeling of camaraderie and unity of purpose with NRPA, professionals in the field and citizen supporters."

--Kenneth J. Smithee, NRPA past president, 1981

"While NRPA appropriately focuses on public policy, education, public awareness and research, the main benefit as an individual is to align yourself with others who have similar interests, needs and commitment to serve."

--Joe O'Neill, NHPA past president, 1992

"I have [a] strong connection to NRPA because it is the organization where I can connect with those professionals in my special area of interest, but also connect with other interests as well. NRPA is where I can see the common thread that holds all of its diverse groups together--parks and recreation is essential in promoting the health and well-being of every citizen of the United States."

--Mark Young, Ohio

"NRPA has been the grassroots voice of public parks and recreation advocates for 40-plus years. NRPA's predecessor organizations believed in the value of recreation, parks and environmental conservation in dealing with many of the social issues facing our citizens, then and now. We are positioned today to influence decision-makers and the populations we serve about the overwhelming need for recreation and parks."

--Jim Donahue, NRPA past president 2001.

"I have developed productive working relationships, and more importantly, valued personal relationships through my involvement with NRPA. I'm met some of my mentors through NRPA. I consider several of these colleagues among my closest and dearest friends. So when I think of NRPA, I think of people."

--Linda Kotowski, Colorado

"I feel like NRPA is like a mother or father--there to nurture and help whenever necessary, and able to give guidance as well."

--Arthur Wong, Hawaii

"If NRPA is to have a legacy, it must recognize and train its constituents to become actively involved in the political process. It was political know-how, power and involvement that brought the president and three cabinet-level administrators to our first Congress. NRPA's legacy will be found in its ability to lead through a well-established power base."

--James Peterson, Program Chairman for NRPA Congress, 1966

'After spending many years working at the state, regional and national level of NRPA, my professional and citizen contacts in the leisure field span the length and breadth of the United States, and continue to be a source of enormous satisfaction and pride."

--Mick Pope, NRPA past president, 1987

"NRPA's success as a nationally recognized association can be attributed to its ability to connect citizen volunteers and professionals into a coalition of advocates that promote healthy communities, open space preservation, environmental education and strong families."

--Steven J. Thompson, Wisconsin 

40 YEARS OF FUN PHOTO CONTEST

Submit your best pictures for publication in the magazine!

To honor NRPA's 40th anniversary, the magazine is looking for photos that help us celebrate parks and recreation. We know that many of our readers have outstanding park and recreation photographs that they are ready to show off. Winners of the contest will have their work published in the magazine in a future issue, and also receive a photo scrapbook to display pictures. These photos will also help the magazine in our effort to bring readers improved photography to accompany our articles.

Entries will be accepted for the following categories:

* Sports activities

* Natural beauty/landscapes in parks

* Therapeutic recreation

* Historical images relating to parks and recreation

* Aquatics

* Senior recreation

* General recreation

The contest will judge color photographs only (except in the historical category). You must submit color prints--no digital files or black and white photography will be accepted. Submitted prints become property of Parks & Recreation, and can be used in the magazine or in NRPA marketing materials.

You may submit as many entries as you like in each category; please submit all entries at once if possible. There is no charge to enter the competition. The winner in each category will be notified, and will receive a complimentary issue of the magazine in which they are published, as well as a scrapbook.

To enter, please tape a completed entry form (or copy)to the back of each photo you would like to enter.

Mail it to P&R 40 Years of Fun Photo Contest, 22377 Belmont Ridge Rd., Ashburn, Va., 20148 by Nov. 1. If you have questions, please call [phone].

1965

The National Recreation and Park Association results from a merger of the National Recreation Association, the American Recreation Society, the American Institute of Park Executives, the National Conference on State Parks and the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums. Laurance Rockefeller is the association's first president.

1966

First NRPA Congress is held in Washington, D.C., with President Lyndon Johnson and three of his cabinet secretaries speaking about parks and recreation issues.

1967

The Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation creates the Special Olympics.

NRPA publishes the first Therapeutic Recreation Journal.

1968

The National Trail System Act is passed, establishing a national system of riding and hiking trails.

NRPA publishes the first Journal of Leisure Research.

1971

President Richard Nixon announces the establishment of "Legacy of Parks," an acquisition program for national park lands.

1972

The National Park Service creates its first urban park, Golden Gate Recreation Area. "Outdoor Recreation: A Legacy for America," a national plan for recreation, is released.

1976

The Council on Accreditation is established and accredits the first set of university curricula from North Carolina State University the following year.

1978

The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation evolves its support program into the "Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service," thereby allowing it to offer matching grants for facility development other than parklands and outdoor recreation facilities.

1978

The National Parks and Recreation Act kicks off $1.2 billion improvement of urban and national parks. Congress establishes the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) program to provide matching grants to economically distressed urban communities to assist in rehabilitation of recreation facilities.

1985

President's Commission on Americans Outdoors is established and calls for greater involvement of the private and voluntary segments in the expansion of outdoor recreation opportunities.

1986

The Council on Professional Accreditation recognizes the Council on Accreditation as the national agency to accredit park and recreation curricula.

1989

National Certification Examination completed, NRPA begins certifying park and recreation practitioners.

1992

NRPA initiates its agency accreditation program.

1993

Claude Ahrens, philanthropist and Iowa businessman, issues a $1 million challenge-donation to NRPA, initiating the drive for the Ahrens NRPA Institute.

1997

NRPA dedicates and moves into its new home, the Ahrens NRPA Institute, in Ashburn, Va.

2005

NRPA celebrates 40 years! There are nearly 5,000 local park and recreation systems in the U.S.; Park holdings total at least 8.3 million acres.