In this Issue...
Photo of the Month — Share Your Photos Too!
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High-Speed Winds in Spokane, WA
This month's photo comes from Josh Morrisey at Spokane City Parks and Recreation. The photo shows the damage in Comstock Park, Spokane from a devastating wind storm that blew through the region on January 13, 2021. Crews were hard at work cleaning up and make repairs for several weeks. |
Do you have a must-see photo? WRPA would love to share your work from home photos and cool images taken at your parks and facilities. Submit photos via email [email protected].
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How Do You Recreate?
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Sunset in Gig Harbor
Thank you, Chuck Cuzzetto, the marketing specialist from the Peninsula Metropolitan Park District for this image.
PenMet Parks is heading into their 2021 modified baseball season and they had this beautiful photo to share of the Rosedale Park.
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Want to let others know how you are staying happy, healthy, or fit during COVID-19? Submit “How Do You Recreate” photos to [email protected].
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2021 Annual Conference & Tradeshow
Join the more than 160 parks and recreation professionals who have already signed up!
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April 28–29, 2021
WRPA's 2021 Conference is all about taking a break, meeting up, learning exciting new skills/tactics, and—of course—having a TON of fun with our friends.
Going virtual will look a bit different than we are used to. However, it offers WRPA supporters easier access than ever before. So whether you are new to the WRPA Conference or a veteran, join us online for another fun year of celebrating our industry. |
The Agency Member Advantage: Did you know that WRPA agency employee members save an extra $35 dollars on registration and groups of 4+ agency members save $66 per person on registration?
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Pre-Conference Socially Distant Golf
Choose Your Course & Have Some Fun Outside
Dust off those clubs and enjoy some socially distant golf with other parks and recreation folks—past, present, and future. These outings are meant to be a fun way to meet with others in a safe setting while hitting the little ball around. ALL are welcome, whether you are attending the Virtual Conference or not.
This event will take place at the courses listed above. Participants will pay all fees at their course's Pro Shop.
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2021 WRPA Annual Meeting
Calling All WRPA Members!
The WRPA Annual Meeting is a time for members to come together and celebrate the accomplishments of the previous year and open a dialogue on what's to come. It is also a time for us to thank our outgoing WRPA Board members and officially announce our incoming Board members.
All WRPA Members are invited to join us virtually this year. Registration is free and required for the 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting. We are asking all members to RSVP via our Zoom registration form so that we can track attendance.
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2021 Virtual Awards Ceremony
We Are Excited to Celebrate 2020 & 2021 Winners!
Each year we celebrate the WRPA Awards Program winners at a banquet during the Annual Conference. This year, as our Annual Conference is being hosted online, our Awards Ceremony will also be moving to the virtual space.
All 2020 and 2021 award recipients (as well as a guest) and all 2021 Conference Attendees are invited to join together to celebrate the recipients of these awards.
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Spotlight Professional: Jennifer Papich
Recreation Director for the City of Spokane & 2021–2022 WRPA President
Jennifer Papich has been with the City of Spokane since April of 2017. She oversees and provides support to our outstanding recreation supervisory team who are responsible for the following areas: Aquatics, Outdoor, Therapeutic, Athletics, Sports Complexes, Art, Wellness & Golf.
Jennifer is passionate about changing lives and leaving this world better than we found it. She says, "We are public servants who are inspired by creativity, collaboration, and community. We are a profession that thrives on lifting each other up, supporting each other and we believe that when one of us succeeds we all succeed."
Read more about Jennifer in the full spotlight.
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NRPA Parks & Recreation Magazine Highlight
"Protecting the Land and Its History"
March 18, 2021, Feature, by Cort Jones, Vitisia Paynich, and Roxanne Sutton
Sara Sinclair and Stephanie Lozano discuss Native lands in the past, present, and future.
As far as Sara Sinclair and Stephanie Lozano are concerned, you don’t have to know much about the history of the Indigenous people or the tribal nations of North America to start a dialogue. You just need to have enough curiosity and desire to ask the questions and broaden your foundational knowledge about Native people.
“I think, sometimes, conversations don’t happen because people are afraid of revealing how little they know, and that’s ultimately really damaging to everyone. So, find a way to engage with that curiosity. There are lots of resources out there to be found more and more,” says Sinclair, an oral historian of Cree-Ojibwa and German-Jewish ancestry, a Columbia University professor and editor of the book How We Go Home: Voices from Indigenous North America.
Read the full NRPA article to learn more.
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CPSI Blended Courses
Now Is the Perfect Time to Earn Your Certification!
Wednesday, June 2, 2021 & Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Have you or your agency put off the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Course? WRPA is offering two CPSI Blended Course options in 2021. These courses provide professionals with the opportunity to learn online and take their CPSI exam locally.
With CPSI courses moving online it is now easier and much less expensive to earn your certificate.
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Share Your Skills; Volunteer with WRPA
Gain new experience that will benefit you in your current position. Take the next step to develop and expand your career by becoming a WRPA volunteer.
New Volunteer Opportunities Include:
Learn more about these different positions on the Volunteer Opportunities page.
WRPA Today App
Have You Downloaded it Yet?
The WRPA Today app brings the power of your WRPA membership to your mobile device!
- Read up on the latest news
- Browse upcoming events
- Connect with recreation and park professionals
- Keep up to date on the latest by turning on your notifications
- And more!
Never feel disconnected from WRPA again while on the go with the WRPA Today membership app.
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WRPA Blog Highlights: Read the Latest
2021 Legislative Webinar Series Recordings Now Available
Legislative Day Recap
The Results Are In!
Legislative Action in Motion
Inslee Announces Changes to the Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery
Congrats Parks & Recreation Professionals
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Thank You to Our Renewing Members!
Information Pulled April 6, 2021
Agency Members:
- Asotin County Public Facilities District
- City of Fife
- City of Monroe
- Federal Way Parks & Recreation
- King County Parks & Recreation Division
- Lacey Parks & Recreation
- Lakewood Parks & Recreation
- Lynnwood Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts
- Maple Valley Parks & Recreation
- Metro Parks Tacoma
- Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
- Seattle Parks & Recreation
- Selah Parks & Recreation
- Shoreline Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services
- Si View Metro Park District
- Snoqualmie Parks & Recreation
- Spokane Valley Parks & Recreation
- Tukwila Pool Metropolitan Park District
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Other Member Types:
- Aaron Wiseman, City of SeaTac
- Ashley Birch, Seatac Parks & Recreation
- Bob Droll, Robert W. Droll Landscape Architect, P.S.
- Brett Oliver, Cascade Recreation, Inc.
- Brian Tomisser, SeaTac Parks & Recreation
- David Erickson, City of Wenatchee
- Geoff Anderson, Schemata Workshop, Inc.
- Janet Sabalausky, Audits+Inspections+Safety LLC
- Jennifer Wills, Longview Parks & Recreation
- Jessica Ramirez, City of SeaTac
- Josh Johnson, Ephrata Parks & Recreation
- Marlon Olson, SeaTac Parks & Recreation
- Michael Fitzpatrick, City of SeaTac
- Michelle Larson, Enumclaw Parks & Recreation
- Nicole Jones, SeaTac Parks & Recreation
- Rachael Fleck, Kitsap County Parks
- Ryan Daly, Mercer Island Parks & Recreation
- Stan Johnson, Richland Parks, and Public Facilities Department
- Traci Bennett, Ephrata Parks & Recreation
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Welcome New Members!
Information Pulled April 6, 2021
Agency Members:
- Clark County Parks and Lands
- Galina Burley
- Yonya DeShiell
- Greg Harvey
- Jim Hendry
- Alexandra Hourani
- Karley McLachlan-Burton
- Exuro Piechocki
- Kevin Tyler
- Fidalgo Pool & Fitness Center
- Clara Bigelow
- Mitch Everton
- Christine Mathes
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Other Member Types:
- Alina Hibbs, City of Enumclaw
- Benjamin Lebwohl, Wildwood Playgrounds North West
- Frank Pikus, Ortega National Parks, LLC
- Jared Anderson, Pullman Parks, Facilities, and Recreation
- Jeff Elevado, City of Bremerton
- Julie Reddaway, City of Enumclaw
- Keegan Sullivan, Central Washington University
- Lawrence Ellis, City of SeaTac
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If you aren't yet a WRPA member consider joining today.
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We Want Your News!
 Do you have news to share with your WRPA colleagues? Send any updates, photos, happenings, and socials to WRPA, so that we can feature your article in the next WRPAToday e-newsletter!
Send Us Your News Now!
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Recent Job Postings
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Thank You, 2021 Sponsors!
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WRPA is membership-driven. We achieve only what we ourselves commit to doing. By sharing your energy and expertise, you will make WRPA an even more effective professional resource.
In fact, without you, we would not be able to offer any programs! Consider volunteering and helping our organization grow. Learn more about opportunities that have recently become available!
Join a WRPA Network
WRPA has several dedicated groups or "Networks" that meet on a regular basis and communicate online. These networks provide WRPA members with the opportunity to make personal, ongoing connections with other professionals. By joining a network and using the online platform, you too can increase your passion for the work you do every day.
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| Conference Sponsors |
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Platform Sponsor
Sponsor
Awards Sponsor
Speaker Sponsor
Session Ad Sponsor
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