Open Space Radio
Open Space Radio is a podcast for park and recreation professionals and outdoor advocates that aims to share inspiring and engaging stories about community, connection, and the impact of local parks and recreation. New episodes are released every other Tuesday. Open Space Radio is the official podcast of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) — Because everyone deserves a great park.
- Update frequency
- every 13 days
- Average duration
- 33 minutes
- Episodes
- 200
- Years Active
- 2017 - 2025
The Year in Review: A Listen Back at Your Favorite Episodes of 2021 — Episode 105
It’s so hard to believe that we’re coming to the end of another year. And, with all the hope we had going into 2021 after a traumatic 2020, I think it’s safe to say that this was also a very difficul…
The Park and Recreation Movement in Mexico and Beyond — Episode 104
On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, I’m excited to be replaying one of the Coffee Talks I hosted at the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference back in September. So, if you weren’t able to join us at the co…
How Unlikely Hikers Is Creating Community and Belonging Outside — Episode 103
Last week we celebrated National Take a Hike Day, and today on the show we’re continuing our celebrations of the Hike Your Turf campaign in partnership with our friends at Merrell. All month long, we…
Inspiring Others to Experience the Fullness of Their Humanity — Episode 102
It’s hard to believe, but it is already November. One of my favorite things to do this time of year is get outside and take in all the beautiful fall foliage and crisp air here in Virginia, and I’m f…
Coffee Talk Replay: Continuing to Center Equity in All We Do — Episode 101
Today, I’m excited to once again be sharing a replay of one of the Coffee Talks I hosted during the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference back in September. As you may know, last week NRPA released a new resou…
Out-of-School Time Programs: Essential for Health and Well-Being — Episode 100
First, I want to take a moment to mention that today’s episode is episode 100 of Open Space Radio! We’ve technically released more than 100 if you include bonus episodes, but since this is “officiall…
On a Mission to End Playspace Inequity for Good — Episode 099
One of the core elements of parks and recreation is not something super profound or complicated, but it is absolutely essential. When we get down to it, parks and recreation is about play. Play is an…
Leaving a Lasting Legacy in The Big Apple Through a Culture of Care — Episode 098
When this episode airs, we will be exactly a week away from the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference, taking place both virtually and in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s going to be three dynamic days of learning, …
Don’t Miss Coffee Talks at the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference — Bonus Episode
Things have been very busy here at NRPA as we gear up for the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference coming up September 21-23. So busy, in fact, that we don’t have a new episode of Open Space Radio for you tod…
Our Park and Recreation Community Poem: Everything Around You… — Episode 097
Park and Recreation Month — which is obviously the best month in the park and recreation profession, just wrapped up at the end of July, and I’m excited to share one of the many things we did this ye…
A Podcast for Any Chapter in Your Parks and Rec Journey — Episode 096
With the rise in digital content, it’s easier than ever to deliver a targeted message to your intended audience. And, one type of digital content that I’m a particular fan of is podcasting, which con…
Enhancing Stewardship and Access to the Tennessee River — August Bonus Episode
The August issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s episode, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, titled, “A River Runs Through It.” The article explor…
The Genesis Project: How a Mother Is Keeping Her Son’s Spirit Alive — Episode 095
*Content note: In this episode, you will meet Jennifer Holmes, a mother who tragically lost her son, Genesis, in a drowning accident. This episode contains an emotional account of her traumatic exper…
Fostering an LGBTQ+ Inclusive Environment in Parks and Recreation — Episode 094
As we continue to lift up stories of inclusion in celebration of Pride Month, my colleagues Allison Colman, NRPA’s director of health, and Teresa Morrisey, a program manager on NRPA’s Park Access tea…
Our Park and Recreation Story: How One Family Finds Peace in Parks — July Bonus Episode
The July issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, which not only means it’s time for a bonus episode, it also means that we’re only a few days away from July, and Park and Recreation Month is…
Why the Essence of Equity-Centered Work Is Organizational Change — Episode 093
In line with keeping equity at the center of all we do, NRPA recently released a suite of diversity, equity and inclusion resources for park and recreation professionals. NRPA’s mission of advancing …
Creating a Culture of Transgender Inclusion in Sports — Episode 092
Today is the first day of Pride Month, yet, as we kick off this month-long celebration designed to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community, we continue to see many states…
Caring for the Mental Well-Being of Our Staff and Communities — June Bonus Episode
The June issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’ll be diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, “Mental Health Care in a Pandem…
It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See Ya Later! — Episode 091
Today’s episode is a very bittersweet one, as we are bidding farewell to one-half of the Open Space Radio team. Roxanne Sutton, NRPA Director of Communications and the creative mind behind launching …
Coffee Talk Replay: Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change — Episode 090
On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we’re re-releasing one of our Coffee Talks from last year’s NRPA Virtual, where we discussed the importance of park and recreation professionals being prepared…