Easing Religious Restrictions, More Counties Authorized to Apply for Phase 2, and Not All Counties Will Be in Phase 2 on June 1, 2020
A Message from Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist
A Message from Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist
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.
A Message from Governor Jay Inslee
This memorandum serves to make further clarifications for Outdoor Recreation, Phase 1, and sets forth additional Phase 2 criteria. This memorandum is effective as of May 14, 2020.
A message from Marguerite Austin, Recreation and Conservation Grants Section
Applications for Recreation and Conservation Funding Board grants are due on Monday, June 1st, by 11:59 p.m. If you have started an application or are thinking of applying for a grant for your recreation or conservation project – there’s not much time left.
A Message from Peter Mayer, Metro Parks Tacoma
Good morning! First of all, I hope this finds you healthy and rested. I wanted to send a “shout out” of thanks and share a few developments.
Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) has opened its next round of the Christopher K. Jarvi Scholarship to Advance Partnerships. This scholarship fund was created to help dedicated professionals explore ways to integrate more partnerships into their work to benefit and bring value to parks, public lands, and the communities that host them. The scholarships are meant for professionals focused on enhancing recreational assets or programs and should be focused on training that can enhance the partnership potential of the individual.
Chris Jarvi was active in leadership with prominent organizations working to support recreation and parks professionals. At his request, this scholarship was created to encourage parks and recreation professionals to continue to explore how partnering efforts can help them to achieve parks, recreation, and community goals. Scholarships range from $500-$1,500 and may be used over the 18 months following the award. Based upon the current COVID-19 situation, SORP recommends a primary focus for this round on:
A Message from Washington State Parks
OLYMPIA – May 2, 2020
On behalf of the WRPA Board of Directors, we are deeply saddened to have learned of the sudden and unexpected passing of Key Pen Parks Executive Director and long-time WRPA member Scott Gallacher. Scott was an active member of our association who regularly attended regional meetings, legislative events, and state conferences. He will be greatly missed both within the Key Pen Parks community and throughout our state.
A message from his organization related to this sad news is posted on the Key Pen Parks website. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Scott's family during this very difficult time.
Healthy At Home Hub on SportsEngine.com
I hope this email finds you healthy and well during this difficult time. We have heard from many of you about the extraordinary work you are doing on behalf of your community. We know that special park districts are in a difficult place with respect to the ability to receive funding while still facing the challenges that COVID-19 has brought.
NRPA has drafted a memo that will provide you additional information about the federal response along with a letter that we plan to send to federal leaders on behalf of special park districts. This letter asks for equitable treatment when funding is provided.
This week an amendment was made to Proclamation 20-25.2. Read the full proclamation from Governor Jay Inslee and view the quick guide banner.
Gov. Jay Inslee will address media Monday via streaming video and telephone to provide an update on the state's COVID-19 response.
The governor will be joined by Hilary Franz, commissioner of public lands, Kelly Susewind, director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Don Hoch, director of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
Connect with Your Industry Peers Online
April 20 - 24, 2020
Now more than ever is the time for the membership to connect, collaborate, and share resources. In order to bring the organization together, we are offering virtual WRPA Network meetings during the week that we otherwise would have had the conference, April 20 - 24, 2020.
A Message from WRPA's Lobbyist Doug Levy
On April 23, 2020, WRPA sent out a proposal outlining a framework on how public parks and recreation service providers can serve a vital role in assisting you to safely return Washingtonians to public life. On Tuesday, May 21, 2020, the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board (RCFB) voted unanimously to support an RCO staff proposal to reduce the local match requirements during the COVID-19 period. Read more below
Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) Votes to Reduces Local Match Requirements
A Message from WRPA Lobbyist Doug Levy
A Message from the WRPA President
We know the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting you in a variety of ways, affecting your communities, your families, and your work. With that in mind, we simply wanted to reach out to let you know we are thinking of you. Your own health and wellbeing, and of those you love, should be your top concern right now.
A Message from the WRPA President
We know the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting you in a variety of ways, affecting your communities, your families, and your work. With that in mind, we simply wanted to reach out to let you know we are thinking of you. Your own health and wellbeing, and of those you love, should be your top concern right now.
On a wet day in early February, 130 advocates descended on Olympia to speak up for our outdoors. Folks from Manson near Lake Chelan to Longview on the Columbia River committed their time and energy to tell lawmakers why the outdoors matters. Their voices made an impact with legislators, and we’re so thankful for the support of so many passionate outdoor advocates from across the state.
WRPA held its biennial RMS training program from February 3–4, 2020.
This program consists of two days of networking, quality education, and professional development. This training is specifically designed for parks and recreation administrators, managers and supervisors. The curriculum also is appropriate for public works professionals, attorneys, school district personnel and risk managers, as well as port districts, public utility districts, YMCA and other non-profit organizations and related fields.
If your agency is currently or past the point of contact for a parks and recreation grant or if your agency is interested in RCO's programs, please review the below:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic RCO is proposing reducing an applicant’s match for 2020 parks and recreation grants from a 50% contribution to 25%: