In this Issue...
Photo of the Month — Share Your Photos Too!
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Southridge Sports Complex "Fun Zone"
The City of Kennewick's Fun Zone features the areas only covered playground, splash pad, and picnic shelter. Come play at the splash pad and playground all day long. The splash pad is open 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
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 at [email protected]. |
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How Do You Recreate?
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Soaking Up the Sun
WRPA's Executive Director, Tiffany Hanzo Martin, and husband Cody Martin enjoyed a beautifully sunny hike to Haleiwa Waterfall in the Waimea Valley on their recent vacation to Oahu, Hawaii.
Want to let others know how you are staying happy, healthy, or fit? Submit “How Do You Recreate” photos to [email protected].
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Fall Training Event
Early Bird Registration Ends September 1, 2021!
WRPA announces the return of the Fall Event. This annual, one-day educational event has evolved and taken on many shapes over the years. This year, we are excited to finally be back in person at the Lynnwood Convention Center focusing on two learning tracks EIB (equity, inclusion, and belonging) and customer service. Learn more and sign up.
Early bird prices range from $30–310 and remember, groups of four or more Agency Employee Members receive an additional discount of $50 per person
Early Bird Registration Ends September 1, 2021!
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NAYS Training & Online Academy
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 | Hosted Online
WRPA is partnering with the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) to offer discounted registration for the NAYS Frontline Staff Training & Online Academy.
This training is designed to help participants understand the foundations of positive and safe youth sports. Registration includes a seat at the September 14 webinar, access to online learning sessions, and the ability to earn a Certified Youth Sports Administrator designation. Learn more!
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Pacific Northwest Social at the NRPA Conference in Nashville
Sponsored by: Northwest Playground
September 22, 2021 | 6:30 PM –9:30 PM CT | Nashville, TN
Are you attending the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference?
If yes, then you are invited to join WRPA & Northwest Playground at the PNW Social. We will have the rooftop reserved at Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, just a few blocks away from the conference at the Music City Center.
Enjoy complimentary light appetizers, drinks, and music in this iconic city full of life. Please RSVP below to help us get a headcount. We cannot wait to see you!
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CPSI Blended Courses
Now Is the Perfect Time to Earn Your Certification!
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
Have you or your agency put off the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Course? WRPA is offering one final CPSI Blended Course in 2021. These courses provide professionals with the opportunity to learn online and take their CPSI exams locally.
With CPSI courses moving online it is now easier and much less expensive to earn your certificate.
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Spotlight Professional: Brandon Lange
Kennewick Parks and Recreation
Brandon Lange is the Recreation Manager of Kennewick Parks and Recreation, he manages four full-time staff and five to seven guest services representatives that work at our front desk. The staff is responsible for contracted external events, internally produced events, tournaments, leagues, camps, activities, sponsorships, swimming lessons, marketing, and facility use.
Brandon has this piece of advice for fellow parks and recreation professionals, "Diversify and always improve your professional toolbox. Our industry is constantly evolving and acquiring new skills is extremely important. Skills like sales (sponsorships), marketing, and event management were not necessary 20 years ago, but in today’s recreation climate they will serve you well."
Read more about Brandon in the full spotlight.
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Flex Your Skill & Share Your Knowledge
Become a WRPA Speaker
WRPA is now accepting 2022 speaker proposals. Upcoming speaking opportunities will include the Annual Conference, the Fall Training Event, webinars, and more. These events will be focused on bringing people together, so we are looking for presenters who are passionate about what they do and who want to inspire parks and recreation professionals.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to share your expertise, speak about past success stories, and boost your resume. Show us how you solved a major problem or share the details of your latest park project. Tell us how you are making an impact.
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WRPA Committee Highlight
Parks & Recreation Emerging Professionals (PREP) Committee
NeSha Thomas-Schadt and Kelly McGinley-Ashe (pictured left to right) are the co-chairs of WRPA's Parks & Recreation Emerging Professionals (PREP) Committee. Their team meets on the third Thursday every other month at 2:00 PM.
Right now the team is working on the following initiatives:
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Speaker Pool – This committee is soliciting professionals to join their speaker pool to talk to university classes about what it’s like to work in the parks and recreation field.
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Internship/Job Fair – The team is working with the Washington State Parks to have a virtual and in-person job/internship fair at the Fall Training Event and spring conference. This will be for any university students who are seeking internships or anyone seeking jobs in our field. They will be able to talk with different agencies and learn more about what it’s like to work in the parks and recreation industry.
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Mentorship Program – This program has launched for 2021 and is comprised of seasoned professionals mentoring younger professionals. They are supposed to meet quarterly and the seasoned professionals are supposed to help guide younger professionals. So far it’s a great success. The PREP Committee hopes to keep it up.
The PREP Committee currently has connections to the following universities: Gonzaga, EWU, Western, and CWU. They've sent people from the committee to talk to their classes. They’re currently trying to figure out ways to recruit people to parks and recreation that aren’t in college, so catching high school students who might not necessarily want to get a degree but are still interested in working for us. Learn more about this Committee on their webpage.
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WRPA Agency Spotlight: City of Enumclaw
New Outdoor Fitness Facility
In 2020, the City of Enumclaw was awarded a $30,000 grant from the National Fitness Campaign (NFC) as part of its annual grant program in the 2020 Healthy Cities Campaign. Additional funding for the project was made possible by the City and local businesses, both financially and in-kind.
The NFC grant program is designed to activate public spaces by connecting trails, well-placed pedestrian infrastructure, and community meeting points with a central outdoor gym facility—The Fitness Court®—that brings free, world-class fitness to everyone.
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NRPA Parks & Recreation Magazine Highlight
"Advocating for Your Budget"
July 15, 2021, Department, by Michael P. Kelly
It seems like budget season is a year-round undertaking. As soon as a board or city council approves one budget, it is time to take a breather and start all over again. Whether it is operational budgets, capital improvement budgets, or referendums, and fundraising campaigns, ensuring all voices are at the table will help inform the difficult decisions that lie ahead.
Coming out of a year overshadowed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there has never been a better time to promote our parks as essential to our communities. I have heard countless stories from across the country of parks as the places where people could still exercise, get some fresh air, and get out of the house when society shut down. Additionally, we saw higher numbers of new users in our parks over the past year and a half. Still, parks may feel the impact of budget cuts.
Read the full NRPA article to learn more.
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Share Your Skills; Volunteer with WRPA
Join the CEC to play an active role in recruiting, evaluating, and selecting speakers!
Do You?
- Have ideas for Annual Conference session topics?
- Know of any amazing speakers that would be ideal for the WRPA Annual Conference?
- Have any staff who are looking to become more involved with WRPA on a committee level?
If you answered YES to any of these; please visit the Continuing Education Committee webpage. There are a variety of ways that you can participate in contributing educational and training content for the Annual Conference and other training opportunities. We have recently opened the speaker RFP and would like your support in soliciting proposals!
Please email Sarah Olson or Jennifer Papich Committee Co-chairs with any questions or to become more involved.
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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
Enumclaw to Open New Outdoor Fitness Feature
Opinion Piece: Importance of Urban Park Land
Northwest Region Meets to Talk Membership
Make a Difference in the Outdoors
$2,523,416 Awarded by the 2021 SEEK Program
Keeping Youth Safe Playing the Sports They Love – BIAWA’s Connection to Parks & Recreation
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Thank You to Our Renewing Members!
Information Pulled August 11, 2021
Agency Members:
- Covington Parks & Recreation
- Mount Vernon Parks & Recreation
- Peninsula Metropolitan District (PenMet Parks)
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Other Member Types:
- Ed Bronsdon, Outdoors for All Foundation
- Doug Coutts, South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District
- Maria Pena, City of Connell
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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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