The Park & Rec Trades magazine, established in 1994, was an independent monthly super-tabloid publication targeted specifically to national, state, county, and city municipal park administrators and staff as well as national military facility grounds administrators and staff. Other subscribers included administrators and staff members of campgrounds, RV parks, forest preserves, engineering firms, fish/wildlife agencies, and suppliers to the park and recreation industry.
Tim Wilson, publisher of Park & Rec Trades, launched the magazine to provide suppliers to the park and rec community an opportunity to advertise nationwide to the industry in a cost-effective manner and to offer valuable content to park and rec professionals.
Each month, Park & Rec Trades included a feature article showcasing park and recreation agencies from across the country with quotes from department directors as well as timely, informative content of interest to park and recreation industry professionals. Topics covered included grounds maintenance, aquatics, surfacing, campgrounds, management and operations, playgrounds, sports and fitness, site amenities, and structures.
Park & Rec Trades magazine offered display advertising, a categorized yellow page supplier directory, and extensive reviews of products and services. Subscribers received monthly editions via postal service for free, and a digital version was available on the magazine’s website.1
Park & Rec Trades was published by The Trades Publishing Company, based in Crossville, Tennessee. Other publications in The Trades family include Resort Trades and Golf Course Trades magazines.2
Park & Rec Trades ceased to be published in 2015.
