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This July, We Are Parks and Recreation at Play Pensacola

Month-long celebration highlights the essential services of local parks and recreation

This July, join Play Pensacola, the City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department, for Park and Recreation Month, as we celebrate the selfless, passionate and essential work of park and recreation professionals who are providing services that are vital to a healthy Pensacola.       
 
Play Pensacola is celebrating Park and Recreation Month, an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association, by inviting you to learn more about our local park and recreation professionals and the essential services they provide.
 
"The pandemic has increased awareness and visibility in all of our roles as parks and recreation professionals. We've always encouraged citizens to take a stake in the services that we provide, and now we are in times where they've become essential components to the health and well-being of our community. This initiative is a great opportunity to strengthen awareness in what we do to help keep Pensacola thriving", Parks and Recreation Director Brian Cooper said.  

NRPA encourages people who support parks and recreation to share their park and recreation story, as well as why their local park and recreation professionals are important to them, with the hashtag #WeAreParksAndRec.

NRPA also encourages people to get creative throughout the month by participating in the Thank a Park and Rec Pro contest. Film a video thanking a park and recreational professional in your community for the services they provide and post it on social media using the hashtag #ThankAParkandRecPro for chances to win prizes throughout July. 

Citizens who may not know the professionals behind the services and amenities they appreciate are encouraged to tag Play Pensacola via social media to learn more. To participate, citizens may photograph an amenity or service in their local park or resource center to express gratitude, post to social media and tag @PlayPColaParks to receive a response and potentially be able to put a face to the actions performed by City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation staff.

To learn more about Park and Recreation Month, visit www.nrpa.org/July and follow Play Pensacola on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

About the City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department
The City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department operates a total of 93 parks and open spaces along with 11 Resource Centers that are utilized by Pensacola residents and city organizations under the moniker, Play Pensacola. The City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department promotes health and wellness, increases cultural unity, fosters community pride and protects environmental resources to improve and promote the quality of life for all citizens and visitors of Pensacola. For more information about parks, playgrounds and locations, visit PlayPensacola.com or contact the City of Pensacola Parks at Recreation Department at 436-5670. 
 
About the National Recreation and Park Association 
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.