Recreation Resources Service (RRS)

It’s Park and Recreation Professionals Day! We are always delighted to be surrounded by people who mirror our passion for our communities. From our team to yours, Happy Park and Rec Professionals day!

On a smoldering Thursday morning, the City of Henderson opened their new Williams and Montgomery St. Park. The NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund provided $357,497 in matching funds for the new park which includes a splashpad, skatepark, fitness court, picnic shelters and bath house.

After the ribbon was cut Mayor Melissa Elliot led the summer campers along with other officials and guests onto and into the new splashpad. The cool water was enjoyed by all!
-Scott Payne, Consultant

Planning your next park or recreation project? Go beyond accessibility and discover how Universal Design creates spaces that are welcoming, inclusive, and usable for everyone. Join experts Michael Perry, FAIA, and Ryan Johnson, Landscape Architect, as they share practical design principles, key considerations, and strategies to help local governments and parks and recreation professionals plan more inclusive projects from the start.

Register now!

https://ncsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/UeskknoaQP6WjfVdWA53Fw

Thank you NC Recreation & Park Association for kicking off the month with a surprise visit! Thanks to your team for serving and advocating for our profession

Last Wednesday, we kicked off Park & Recreation Month with the Power of... a delivery of donuts, stickers, notebooks, and a whole lot of appreciation! 🍩📗

We crashed a meeting between the two powerhouses: Recreation Resources Service (RRS) and NC State Parks Grants & Outreach Program.

Improving the parks and recreation field takes a village, and we love ours. These two groups work hard to assist local parks with essential technical expertise and grant funding administration. .

True magic happens when community grants, professional development, and advocacy all sit at the same table. We love collaborating with both of these teams to keep pushing the field forward. Here’s to a month of celebrating the partnerships that keep North Carolina’s parks and communities thriving, connected, and accessible to all! 👏🎉

“Citizens of the Caraleigh neighborhood braved the 100 degree temperatures yesterday, 7/1/26, to celebrate the dedication of the renovated Caraleigh Park. The park renovation partially funded with funds from the State of North Carolina’s Accessibility for Parks grant program provided a new inclusive playground, basketball court renovation, accessible park entrance connected to a GoRaleigh transit stop and artwork by local artist Jean Gray Mohs. Raleigh Parks partnered with the Raleigh Police Department and the community to help install the new playground.”-Scott Payne RRS Consultant

The Great Trails State Conference 2026 has announced our keynote speaker!

We’re excited to share our keynote speaker for this year’s conference.

David LaMotte—internationally recognized author, musician, and changemaker—will be joining us to help kick things off. His work centers on courage, connection, and purposeful leadership, with audiences ranging from the Rotary International Convention to the Scottish Parliament.

We’re honored to have him bring that perspective to the Great Trails State movement.

This is one you won’t want to miss!

Did you miss our Leader Development Episode? Listen now!

Listen in as we discuss the Leader Development Program with Rick Rocchetti and Lilian Heaton!

Listen now!

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2X1ecEM43LIRyGHSGe9ck6?si=sIqcGd3aSyKSytvL31ow5Q

YoutTube:
https://youtu.be/lxcnZhG6em4