WRPA is bringing back the Success Story Program.
2021 has not quite been the year we were hoping for. However, WRPA is proud to see so many professionals from our industry are who still hard at work making this pandemic a little easier for our communities.
Teens in Auburn, WA were excited to hang out, have fun, and play as Auburn’s REC Teen Center reopened in September after an 18-month closure due to pandemic restrictions.
A Message from Roxanne Miles, WRPA Legislative Committee Chair
Once again WRPA partnered with the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition to host a Great Outdoors & Parks Legislative Day on February 4, 2021.
Executive Summary & Highlights
New study findings reveal that local park & recreation agencies provide an estimated 300,000 acres of park lands and support nearly 100 million users annually!
During the Fall of 2020, the Washington Recreation & Parks Association, Washington State Association of Counties, Association of Washington Cities, and Metro Parks Tacoma collaborated on a statewide survey to gather data on service demand and operational challenges facing local parks agencies, both preceding and as a result of COVID-19 through August 2020. The survey was the most comprehensive one of its kind to compile data on issues and challenges facing local parks and recreation agencies throughout the State of Washington.
This week Governor Inslee announced updates to the Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery. Learn more by reviewing the highlights below and the articles from Medium.com and the Seattle Times.
A message from the Pierce County Parks
A Message from Ed Bronsdon, Executive Director, Outdoors for All Foundation
In a world turned upside down by the pandemic, many people are struggling to connect with others, get exercise, and find ways to increase their mental and physical fitness. The Outdoors for All Foundation is a Seattle Seahawks Spirit of 12 program charity that continues to help people with disabilities to adapt and enrich their lives despite the pandemic.
Testimonials from the City of Olympia's Community Members
The City of Olympia’s Recreation Department has worked hard since spring to adapt and evolve on the fly. By focusing on what we do best and following best practices for the new health and safety guidelines, we've been able to successfully serve our community during a really tough time. Here are just a few customer testimonials:
A message from the City of Kirkland
Recreation in Kirkland Parks and Community Services changed after April 1, 2020. We had to put the brakes on traditional programming and pivot to virtual programs and programs that provided social distancing. We excelled in providing physical recreation opportunities and were now challenged to find ways to connect with our community and to keep them engaged and active.
A message from the City of Burien 
Like many parks departments across the state and country, Burien Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (PaRCS) had to dramatically shift its program delivery model in order to help maintain mental and physical health during this stressful time. Staff worked hard to set up and offer virtual classes and, once restrictions were lifted, limited on-site programs with lots of safety precautions, like mask and contact tracing mandates, health, and temperature checks, and routine room and equipment cleaning, in place.
Eviction Moratorium Extended and New Restrictions on Eateries, Bars, and Indoor FacilitiesA Message from Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist
Updated Restrictions on Indoor RecreationA Message from Jon Snyder, Senior Policy Advisor to Gov. Jay Inslee
Because of the ongoing pandemic and the sharp rise in virus transmission in our state, there are a number of areas where we will be announcing new restrictions on activities that previously had more latitude. The goal is to reduce interactions and mobility to slow the spread of transmission. One of these areas is indoor recreation. The changes are as follows:
A Message from NCSI
As a valued NCSI Affinity Partner, we would like to share some new resources we’ve put together for you and your Washington Recreation and Park Association members. We know how important the programs that you run through WRPA are to the families across Washington.
A message from Mark Feeney, WRPA Aquatics Network Liaison
A Message from Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist
The legislation achieves two core conservation priorities. One is providing $900 million annually and permanently for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which was created in 1964 and uses royalties from offshore oil and gas drilling to pay for a host of conservation projects on public lands.
A Message from the WRPA Administration Network
As follow-up to the discussion we had at last Thursday's, June 11, 2020, meeting regarding Phase 3 of the Governor’s “Safe start” re-opening plans, and the limitation of 50 people on events and gatherings, the WRPA continues to work with the Governor’s Office on a way to look at these not just with a number but by ensuring safe protocols and social distancing and other structural ways of keeping people separated.
A Message from Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist
For this item, please review the Protecting Existing Resources Template and questions. I’m chairing – for an Outdoor Recreation Funding Roundtable spearheaded by State Rep. Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline/32nd Dist.) – a ‘Protect Existing Resources’ subcommittee that will assist Rep. Ryu and other participating legislators in understanding the magnitude of the COVID-19 impacts on the outdoor recreation sector, and hopefully provide these legislators with tools and data to protect against damaging cutbacks and reductions in 2020 Special Session and/or 2021 Regular Session deliberations on the state budgets.
A Message from Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist
Friday, May 29, 2020
A Message from Kristine Stratton, NRPA President & CEO
A Message from Mountain to Sound Greenway
During this public health crisis, spending time outdoors has become a lifeline for many Americans. Yet these unusual circumstances mean that all of us, from seasoned outdoor enthusiasts to families heading out to their local park for the first time, could use a little guidance. We hope you’ll join us in sharing the #RecreateResponsibly toolkit (English and Spanish) and message with your own audience.
