To the point; New law may jeopardize used needle and syringe drop boxes.
Byline: Ellie Oleson Trash hauling can be hazardous, particularly for those at risk of being stuck with a used hypodermic needle. To try to prevent such incidents, the Massachusetts Public Health Council approved regulations banning needles from the residential trash stream as of 2010, but...

Conviction of the heart: implementing leave-no-trace principles in outdoor recreation: here is a model for teaching students to respect the outdoors.
A record number of Americans are rediscovering the benefits of outdoor recreational pursuits. In 2004, nearly 277 million recreational visits were recorded by the United States national park system (Haney, 2006). The increased use of recreation areas has become an issue in the United States. Evidence of recreational impacts...

Panel ponders ban on smoking in parks.
Byline: Anna L. Griffin LEOMINSTER - The city Recreation Commission is seeking legal advice on whether it can ban smoking at public parks and playgrounds. "They decided at the meeting to seek legal counsel," said Judith Sumner, director of the Recreation Department. The...

Town imposes rules for users of Lake Park; Residents complain about teens.
Byline: George Barnes ATHOL - The town wants people to have fun in Lake Park, but there now are a few simple rules to follow. Selectmen approved a list of rules for the park this week, and Town Manager David Ames said voters would decide...

Park neighbors fed up with obnoxious teens.
Byline: George Barnes ATHOL - Neighbors concerned about teens screeching obscenities, littering and intimidating younger children in Lake Park have town officials looking for ways to make the park a friendlier place for those who use it and those who live nearby. About 25 residents,...

Skateboard park under repair; Work for paving starts Monday.
Byline: Shirley Barnes TEMPLETON - The skateboard park in Templeton Center will close for a few weeks, starting Monday, while improvements are made to the asphalt surface as a first step toward meeting safety requirements of the town's insurer. The Templeton Lions Club has donated...

Giving all kids a "voice" on the playground.
This article presents installment one of a three-part series that will feature the importance of play for children of all abilities. EP is pleased to partner with the International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) for this series. It's a familiar scene in communities around the country. Schools...

Parks maintenance seen as a challenge; Financial situation obscures future.
Byline: Nick Kotsopoulos WORCESTER - The city's top parks official says "new approaches and policies" need to be developed to meet what has become a serious fiscal challenge of maintaining 60 parks and 35 playgrounds. Robert L. Moylan Jr., commissioner of public works and parks,...

Teaming up for senior fitness: a group-based approach; Physical activity may be the closest thing to a "fountain of youth," but older adults face unique barriers to participation.
According to the United States Census Bureau (2004), nearly 36 million people are at least 65 years of age. Furthermore, this number of aging Americans continues to grow. The leading edge of the "baby boomer" cohort turned 60 in 2006; by 2030, about one in five Americans will be...

Preserving "nature's artistry": Torrey Pines during its formative years as a city and state park.
The City of San Diego ... stands alone among the cities of a world in having within its confines a singularly outstanding example of Nature's artistry .... This is Torrey Pines Preserve. GUY FLEMING, Superintendent, Southern Division, California Division of Parks, 1942 (1) In the...