Welcome back to podparks!

Here's a sneak peek to the episode notes, you can access the complete notes and resources at https://worldurbanparks.org/blog/podparks/

This week on Podparks, Alice discusses the evolution of parks in the 20th century with guests Paul Rabbitts, author and park historian, and , Dr. Catharine Ward Thompson, Digby White, Christy Boylan and Jayne Miller. 

Paul highlights how the first and second world wars influenced park design by promoting physical activities and sports, but the rise of suburban life and individualistic principles, as Dr. Ward Thompson discusses, deprioritized parks, leading to a sharp decline in their upkeep and visitors. 

With this new park boom, The International Federation of Parks and Recreation Administration (IFPRA) was created to help expand the park industry. We get to hear from Digby White, former CEO of IFPRA, and Christy Boylan, former Chair of the World Parks Academy, who share their experiences in the creation and first years of IFPRA. IFPRA eventually became World Urban Parks, which Chair Jayne Miller discusses and emphasizes the need to continue advocating for parks today. 

If you want to read the complete notes for this episode check our blog section on our website. This podcast is only one of the many resources available inside the WUP member platform. Discover more resources and connect with park professionals around the world at www.worldurbanparks.org​​