Celebrate Park and Recreation Professionals Day – July 19, 2025
Each July, we celebrate Park and Recreation Month. This week, Richland Township joins the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS) and the Recreation Alliance of North Pittsburgh in recognizing the people who make our parks, trails, and programs possible.
Honoring Our Local Professionals
We are proud to recognize:
- Melissa Williams, Parks and Recreation Coordinator, for her leadership in organizing community programs, special events, and facility operations
- Our skilled and hard-working Public Works Department, who maintain Richland Park’s infrastructure, sports fields, pavilions, and trails
- The Steffish family — Maggie, Abigail, and Andy Jr. — who continue the legacy of care started by Georgeann and Andy Sr. Their dedication to mowing, cleaning, and maintaining the park has helped keep Richland Park safe, beautiful, and welcoming
About the Recreation Alliance of North Pittsburgh
Richland Township is a founding member of the Recreation Alliance of North Pittsburgh, a collaborative group formed in 2003 (originally called Community Tours). The founding members included Richland Township, Franklin Park Borough, Pine Township, and Marshall Township. Since then, the alliance has grown to include 11 municipalities and private-sector partners.
Current members include:
Butler County, Chippewa Township, Cranberry Township, Economy Borough, Franklin Park Borough, Marshall Township, Ohio Township, Ross Township, Township of Pine, Town of McCandless, and partners such as Pashek+MTR, Play and Park, PA Connecting Communities, Jim Watenpool, Mary Beth Birks, and Vortex Aquatic Structures International.
Regional impact:
- Serving more than 100,000 residents across a 30-mile radius
- Hosting inclusive and cooperative programs such as movies in the park, dances, family fun days, craft shows, nature events, and programs for individuals with special needs
- Reaching over 500 participants each year, ranging from toddlers to seniors
The alliance demonstrates how regional collaboration can improve community wellness, promote inclusion, and deliver a unified message about the importance of parks and recreation.
How to Celebrate
- Visit a park or participate in a community program
- Thank a parks employee, volunteer, or event organizer
- Share your appreciation on social media using #ParkandRecDay