The Stories Behind the Stories

Phil Hayward, Editor

With this missive, Parks & Recreation magazine opens up a new venue for communicating ideas, issues, and trends. Now in its 45^th year, the print edition of the magazine has brought NRPA members a wide range of information on a monthly basis. Yet, any editor will tell you: But, wait, there’s so much more that we want to say. In a digital, 24X7 society a publisher shouldn’t have to feel limited by the constraints of printers, paper, and time.

So, beginning this week the editors of the magazine and occasional guest contributors will be writing blogs on just about anything to do with the field of parks and recreation. Much of it will look behind the scenes of producing the issues of the magazine—not just the cutting room floor, but the stories behind the stories. We’ll be sharing our encounters with other sources of news and information in an effort to broaden your understanding and appreciation of the field. As we learn, you learn. Hopefully, we won’t be approaching this so seriously as not to have fun.

We view blogging as a key component in our three-part social media program that also includes the electronic flagship—the digital edition of Parks & Recreation—Facebook, and Twitter. Expect tweets throughout each week alerting you to every kind of news and information, much of it to be found in the blog and in the magazine along with day-to-day observations.

We believe we’ve got the social media bases covered. But all will be for naught without your participation. Blogs are conversation starters, so feel free to join in and share your thoughts and opinions. We’ll all be the better for it.

Phil Hayward

Editor

Parks & Recreation