From the editor: take some time.

It was an unseasonably warm day in November when my family and I took to the streets of New York to witness the Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time. Having lived in New York for almost two years at the time in 2001, I was less than excited about heading into the crowds, fighting for a space along Sixth Avenue, and standing for hours waiting to see marching bands and balloons (my husband was even less excited, and stayed behind to cook us turkey). But my family wanted to go, and they needed a tour guide around the city. It would be fun they said--you'll see. I had heard this line before and, needless to say, I was less than convinced.

As the parade headed toward us, however, I became instantly caught up in the spectacle--the people, the sounds, the cheering--that my ambivalence turned into anticipation for what I would see next. I suddenly didn't care that crowds behind me were pushing, or that I hadn't eaten since 6 a.m. I was caught up in a Norman Rockwell-esque memory, and soon realized how great it was to be experiencing it all with my family.

As the busy summer season ends and your schedule becomes less hectic, remember to take time for friends and family that may have dropped off your radar while you were tending to your new aquatic facility or filling in when volunteers fell through. Having family and friends who support you enables you to manage recreation programs and facilities that reach out to other families in the community.

It also allows you to take time and re-examine some safety concerns around your park--look at our aquatics section on page 37 or our surfacing solutions article on page 52 for ideas.

I would personally like to take this space to thank my husband, who has always supported me--whether it's when I'm working late to finish the magazine, attending a conference far away or when I just need some turkey after a long morning parade in New York.