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
Learn more at www.prps.org/parkrecday
Follow the Recreation Alliance of North Pittsburgh on Facebook
Facebook Version
🎉 It’s Park and Recreation Professionals Day!
Today we celebrate the people who make our parks possible. Right here in Richland Township, we are proud to thank:
🌟 Melissa Williams, Parks and Recreation Coordinator
🛠️ Our dedicated Public Works Department
💚 The Steffish family — Maggie, Abigail, and Andy Jr. — who continue the work started by Georgeann and Andy Sr. by caring for the grass, restrooms, trails, and facilities at Richland Park
We are also proud members of the Recreation Alliance of North Pittsburgh, a partnership of 11 municipalities and regional partners that provides inclusive, family-friendly programs for over 100,000 residents in the Northern Pittsburgh region.
Formed in 2003, the alliance coordinates events like nature days, craft shows, dances, and special needs programming, offering opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
🛝 Help us celebrate today:
✅ Visit a local park
✅ Thank a member of the parks team
✅ Share your support with #ParkandRecDay