Wanderings And Ponderings

By Madison Price-Stivers and Michael J. Bradley The recreation profession, including outdoor, therapeutic, and community-based services, has seen tremendous growth in recent years. As the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped how people engage with open spaces and community programs, the importance of recreation has become even more apparent. But alongside this growth comes the responsibility to address lingering barriers in access, representation, and engagement, factors that significantly shape the industry’s reach and effectiveness. Access Matters Ensuring that all individuals have access to recreation, regardless of background or income level, is not just a matter of fairness; it’s essential to the mission of public service. When people from underrepresented communities lack access to outdoor spaces or are underrepresented in leadership roles, the system falls short. Tackling these gaps means not only expanding participation but ensuring that recreation truly reflects the communities ...

While making the return journey from Kentucky, I took a delightful detour to Cedars of Lebanon State Park, just south of Lebanon, Tennessee. Nestled in the heart of Middle Tennessee’s Central Basin, this 900-acre park lies within the larger 9,420-acre Cedars of Lebanon State Forest. The park is home to a unique ecosystem known as cedar glades—open, rocky expanses of thin soil dotted with Eastern red cedar trees, which are actually junipers. These enduring trees reminded early settlers of the famed cedar forests of ancient Lebanon, inspiring the park’s biblical name. Beneath your feet lies Ordovician-era limestone, dating back roughly 460 million years, creating a karst landscape pockmarked with sinkholes, caves, and underground streams. In the 1930s, a resettlement program and WPA-led restoration efforts transformed the battered cedar flats into a thriving forest and public recreational space. The area opened as Lebanon Cedar Forest in 1937, with the Tennessee government taking over tw...

If you’ve been thinking about trying glamping or need a peaceful base to explore Mountain View, Arkansas, let me share a place you’ll want to add to your list: Ozark RV Park and Cabins. Ozark RV Park & Cabins Call: 870-200-9090 The Glamping Tent I recently stayed in one of their glamping tents, and it was such a fun, comfortable experience. The tent is spacious, set up on a platform with a real bed (on a frame), crisp linens, a fan, air conditioning (yes, you get AC in a tent!), and a Keurig for that first warm cup of coffee in the morning. During my stay, it rained gently, and there is something incredible about falling asleep to the sound of rain on canvas while staying warm and cozy in bed. In the morning, I woke up to the sound of birds and crisp air, peeking outside to a misty, peaceful campground that felt like a breath of fresh air. The Big Park Sign & Rooster The bathhouse on-site deserves a shout-out. It has the nostalgic feel of a summer camp bathhouse but is immacul...