From the editor.

After spending a year with Parks & Recreation magazine, it seems that we are on the verge of something great. Although the staff has made improvements to the publication throughout 2004, we've done so on our own. What makes this next year so exciting, is that the next level of improvements will happen because of your input.

Last year, we asked what you wanted to see in your association publication through a readership survey that was placed in our May issue. The result was that more than 300 readers answered our questions and told us what they wanted. We analyzed the results, and read all the comments we received with an open mind. We were glad to hear that 83 percent thought the magazine was good or great overall, and that 72 percent found the magazine to be useful. But we were more interested in where we could improve, and what could make Parks & Recreation even better.

You gave us terrific input, and said that we needed more variation in the topics we cover. Some of the specific issues you want addressed are funding opportunities, programming ideas, management and training trends in the field, and more therapeutic recreation. We heard you, and are already working on several articles for the coming year in these areas.

You also told us what departments you did or didn't like in the magazine, and we will continue to improve or change those that didn't interest you--starting with this issue. You said that Power Play was one of the least favorite sections of the magazine, so we have revamped the department. Instead of focusing on famous athletes or stars who have championed the field of parks and recreation, we've turned the focus to you--the department will now look at everyday people within the field who have done something extraordinary. The new department is called Trailblazers, and we are proud to feature Dr. John L. Crompton in the first installment, as he has truly created a distinguished path for others in the field to follow.

We also felt that the magazine needed more focus and direction, and are pleased to release our new mission statement:

Parks & Recreation informs, motivates and inspires professionals, civic leaders and citizens to elevate the value of parks and recreation as a public service. The magazine strives to provide valuable ideas, resources, news and commentary on a variety of relevant topics through conversational, anecdotal and issue-driven editorial.

Parks & Recreation is the ONLY one-stop shop for the park and recreation community.

This mission statement reflects our commitment to bring quality editorial that is interesting, timely and necessary to our diverse audience. But we aren't done yet.

We will continue to seek input from the park and recreation community, and therefore will be creating a magazine editorial board. The board will help keep us informed on the issues facing parks and recreation, and provide us up-to-date sources and information. We hope to form this board in the next few months, and are looking for readers who may be interested. Specifically we are seeking members who:

--Support the mission of Parks & Recreation

--Regularly read the publication

--Can provide source material and ideas for articles I Have an honest interest in improving the magazine for the benefit of all members.

If you are interested, or know of someone who would be, please go to www.nrpa.org to learn more and submit your name. The magazine staff will review those who are interested, and make a decision in the next few weeks.

Thanks to all who participated in our readership survey--you have helped guide and inspire the staff to take the publication to new heights. We are excited about the year ahead and welcome your continued input. You can contact me anytime at [e-mail] with suggestions or comments about the magazine and its changes.