Since 1985, people in the United States have celebrated Park and Recreation Month in July to promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation and to recognize the more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals, along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers, that maintain our country’s local, state and community parks.

This year's theme, Where Community Grows, celebrates the vital role park and recreation professionals play in bringing people together, providing essential services and fostering the growth of our communities.

This content is adapted from the National Recreation and Park Association, "Park and Recreation Month."