contents september columns 6 Perspectives Equity at the Center Kristine Stratton departments 8 Editor's Letter Equity Is Not a State of Mind Vitisia Paynich 10 We Are Parks are Recreation f Great Expectations: Financially Balancing Quality Programming and Equity 10 f NRPA Life Trustee Eugene Young Passes Away 12 f 2020 NRPA Annual Conference: A Virtual Experience 14 f Connect Hot Topics 16 f Member Benefit: Technology's Role in Safer Recreation 16 20 Finance for the Field The Role of Parks and Open Spaces in Reducing Taxes John L. Crompton, Ph.D. 22 Advocacy 18 Local Access Is an Equity Issue Elvis Cordova Research NRPA Engagement with Parks Report Kevin Roth 19 24 Health and Wellness Integrating Equity, Social Justice and Inclusion Practices Arthur Hendricks Park Pulse Equitable Access to Parks and Recreation Is Vital to Communities Everywhere 26 Conservation Moving Forward: Making Racial Equity Real Raquel García-Álvarez 48 Operations Meet the Donors: 2020 Parks Build Community Project Paula Jacoby-Garrett 28 Law Review Park Law Enforcement Civil Rights Claims James C. Kozlowski, J.D., Ph.D. 50 Products 51 Park Essentials The Better Beaubien program works with residents and local institutions in communities near the Forest Preserves Beaubien Woods on Chicago's South Side to promote the site as a local resource and a place to get out into nature. 55 Advertiser Index 56 Park Bench Cover image: Photo courtesy of Northwest Voice News 4 Parks & Recreation | S E P T E M B E R 2 02 0 | PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N .O R G PHOTO COURTESY OF FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY Breaking Barriers to Live Abundantly Lindsay Hogeboom Page 26