Parks ⋅ Page 1

Walking Off Obesity

Active use of nature trails, not sightseeing, improves youth health

Local governments can help reduce youth obesity levels by increasing the amount and type of public lands available for recreation.

Golden Hoops

CAFNR student competes for spot on National Wheelchair Basketball Association Team

Carter Arey, parks, recreation and tourism student at MU, was chosen to compete for a spot on the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Team. He will be traveling to Colorado Springs, Co., May 28-June 2, to try out with 27 other athletes. Eighteen athletes will be chosen to play on the team.

Colorado Rescue

Alumnus saves skier buried 3 hours in avalanche

MU alumnus Sam McCloskey, B.S. parks, recreation and tourism ’09, performed a heroic act in the Colorado mountains March 2. McCloskey is a ranger with the State Forest State Park in Walden, Colo. McCloskey and Andrew Maddox, a river ranger for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, were working at a snowmobile event when they received a radio alert about an…

Happy Trails

Study shows property owners near the MKT Trail are pleased with it

A survey of land owners along the MKT Trail indicates that they are not only happy with the trail, but think their property is more valuable because of it.

A Journey to Diplomacy

PRT student receives fellowship to pursue international affairs

Xavier Billingsley, a Parks, Recreation and Tourism major at CAFNR, was awarded a 2013 Charles Rangel International Affairs Fellowship.

Sunny Makes Money

Don't like your electric bill? Build your own power station

Most people shrug and write a check after getting a high electricity bill. David Vaught, department chair of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and his wife Dawn, took a different path. They set up their own power generating station to make their own electricity after paying a $500 invoice.

Boots on the Green

Jerry Hitzhusen collaborates to bring golf to veterans young and old

Jerry Hitzhusen, associate professor of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, strives for inclusion through Boots on the Green golf program for veterans.

The Volunteer Tourist

Getting and giving the best in a vacation

Volunteer tourism is an emerging trend in the travel industry. Here, tourists engage in some sort of volunteerism in addition to typical vacation activities. Volunteer tourists might build schools or homes in developing countries, or even provide medical care, as part of their trips.