Episode
The Power of Your Stories — Episode 180
- Podcast
- Open Space Radio
- Published
- Jul 21, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3771
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
Park and Recreation Month is one of our favorite times of year here at NRPA, and as we celebrate, we wanted to give one of our favorite episodes another spin. This episode originally aired as Episode 176 , and it captures exactly what this month is all about: a collection of powerful stories showing how parks and recreation strengthens communities and changes lives. We're revisiting our conversations with: Shannon Barrett, CPRP, recreation coordinator for City of Kerman (California) Parks, Recreation and Community Services, and participants from the Walk With Ease program , who share how a simple walking initiative has built a tight-knit, supportive community. Danielle Bachelder, CPRP, senior parks manager for Broward County (Florida) Parks and Recreation, and a young participant in the Pony Tales program , who discuss how a literacy-based initiative that invites children to read to horses is making an impact on children, families and the horses alike. You'll also hear: How a program can start small and grow into a lasting, self-sustaining community Why the person leading a program can make or break the participant experience What "progress, not perfection" looks like for both program participants and the staff who lead them Why the simplest programs (the ones built on nothing more than walking, reading or just showing up) are often the most powerful One More Reason to Celebrate Speaking of Park and Recreation Month, don't forget there's still time to enter the Park and Recreation Month Sweepstakes for a chance to win: A complimentary full-package registration to the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference in Philadelphia Three nights of lodging at a hotel in the official NRPA housing block A $500 gift card to help cover travel expenses Entries close Friday, July 31, 2026, at 11:5…