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 and powerful role local parks and recreation play in conservation, health and wellness, and social equity efforts in communities all across the country.

This year marks 30 years of Park and Recreation Month and in celebration NRPA is encouraging everyone to throw it back to the 80s at their local parks and recreation facilities. Here at DLA Architects, we’re on board! Later this month, we’ll be wearing our best 80s gear for our annual summer picnic and you can bet there will be some choice 80’s music in the park with us! Join us in the celebration by getting out and experiencing the power of parks and recreation for yourself.

In parks across Illinois, you can celebrate a totally rad park and recreation month by checking out your local park district and taking advantage of some of their great programs. Our local park and recreation programs lead initiatives and provide 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.

Nationally, NRPA is celebrating by sharing the impact parks and recreation has in all of our lives by releasing a short animated video titled the “Power of Parks.” NRPA encourages everyone who supports parks and recreation to watch and share the video with the hashtag #JulyPRM30. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org/July.