Our Vision

To be a champion for parks and recreation professionals, and the communities they serve

Our work is accomplished by providing applied research, technical assistance, grant administration and professional development opportunities. The RRS team includes five regional consultants, an outreach consultant, University program associate, graduate research assistant and Director working with field professionals, faculty, and the North Carolina State Parks Grants and Outreach staff.

RRS offers Webinars, Trainings, and In-person Workshops. In addition to our annual conferences, RRS offers a range of continuing education opportunities based on industry needs.

RRS is your first point of contact for the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) and the Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Contact your regional consultant to learn more about these programs. You may view the RRS Grant Locator to find parks in your community that received grant assistance.

RRS is the nation’s oldest technical assistance program for parks and recreation agencies in North Carolina. RRS provides technical assistance, applied research, and continuing education for the state. Services are available to government agencies, citizen boards, civic and service groups, schools, youth agencies, hospitals, senior centers, commercial, and non-profit organizations. Recreation Resources Service can assist you in establishing, improving, and or expanding recreation and leisure services in your area of North Carolina.

Services are provided through a partnership with North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management, North Carolina State University. RRS began as a function of the State of North Carolina Recreation Commission in 1943.