As the Irish Would Say: You've Got to Do Your Own Growing No Matter How Tall Your Father Was

Come grow professionally, and network with other recreation and park professionals and learn fresh new ideas that you can bring back to your team! Only two months until WRPA's Annual Conference & Trade Show. Register today!

This year's schedule is sure to provide the inspiration, connections, and know-how you need to do your best work in your community. Keynote speakers include:

Sessions cover a wide range of relevant topics including:

 2016 Conference Sponsor
 

...and much more!  

View the conference schedule to view the complete list of educational topics that will be offered.  There's bound to be something there for you! 

Calling all Annual Conference attendees - Please Pitch In!

Are you planning to attend the 2016 WRPA Annual Conference in Everett? Do you want to get even more involved? Volunteer! Don't worry, the tasks we need help with are of short duration so you can sign up for the opportunities that suit you and still have time to participate in the other conference events.

For more information and to sign up, contact Caroline Wallace or call (206) 556-6130.


 

 

May Your Home Always Be Too Small to Hold Your Friends

Get your pre-conference ON with friends and colleagues with these fun team activities on Tuesday, May 3:

Everett's Jetty Island Tour
1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Everett Marina | Member $39, Non-Member $49

Join us for a land and sea educational adventure! Participants will meet at the Port of Everett for an informative presentation on the new marina development plan, including international trade, property development, boating, naval operations and recreational opportunities. From there, the session will continue with a 2-mile long boat ride with a short narrated tour along the waterfront before heading off for a visit to Jetty Island. This session is worth .2 CEUs!

Hurry!  Sign up deadline is April 22! 

WRPA Annual Golf Tournament
1 p.m. | Legion Memorial Golf Course | Member $55, Non-Member $60

Think you have what it takes to win? This fun and friendly golf tournament will be run as a scramble. You will play the best shot from each location to try and get the lowest score.

Please indicate team member preferences during registration. Registrations without team requests will be placed on a team.

There will be free parking at the golf course. Registration fee includes a $5 gift card that can be used towards food/beverages. Prizes will be awarded for 1st place, 2nd place, Long Drive, and Closest to the Pin.

Paintball Battle
3 p.m. | DBS Indoor Arena | Members $38, Non-Members $42

Come to this epic battle of paintball with friends and coworkers! Paintball is a fast-paced game of strategy, excitement and fun! You will be divided into teams and play a variety of games including storm the castle, capture the flag, and old fashion elimination. This is the perfect opportunity to claim bragging rights between your coworkers and friends!

We will be using "low impact" paintballs that are used with children's games. Don't let the thought "this would hurt too much" discourage you from attending!

We recommend: Bring a change of clothes for the way home! It is easier to wash your clothes (yes it does wash out) than it is to clean out your car! Please read more about what to expect on the DBS website! 

Learn more and register now for all pre-conference activities! 


 

 

Irish I Was There
If you weren't able to attend the 4th Annual "Big Tent" event on February 3, it will easily go down as the biggest and best event in the "Big Tent" organization's brief history!  On February 3, hundreds of participants, vendors and elected officials came to the Big Tent on Capital grounds from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  "Big Tent" Outdoor Recreation Coalition wants to give a special thanks everyone who made this event possible, especially those who brought powerful and compelling speeches about the value and benefits of outdoor recreation and the outdoor recreation economy. 


 

 

Find Your Professional Pot o' Gold

Save the date for the Fall Summit on October 13 at Magnuson Park Seattle!

 

What's at the end of the rainbow for you? Join us this Fall and find your pot o' gold!

More information to come...

 


 

 

Members on the Move 

New Recreation and Park Program Coordinator for the City of Everett:

Scott Pool is the new Recreation and Park Program Coordinator for the City of Everett Parks Department. He has just started his 27th year with the Parks Department. He started out as a seasonal park ranger with the City of Everett in April of 1989, after completion of the Parks Law Enforcement Academy at Everett Community College. Scott was then hired full-time as a Park Ranger II with the department. He was promoted to the Park Ranger Supervisor in March of 1993 and has worked in that capacity since. He has helped develop a successful park ranger program, overseen the operation of the Jetty Island Days Program, presented several interpretive programs to schools and visitors, and assisted with coordination of several park and community special events. Scott has also served as a committee member and chairman of the Parks Law Enforcement Academy Advisory Committee at Skagit Valley College for 12 years.

Scott is a Cornhusker by birth and grew up in the small town of Alma, Nebraska. He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.S. in Natural Resources. He stays busy being a father of twins and getting them involved in the outdoors and other recreation activities. He enjoys hiking, fly fishing, turkey hunting and spending time with family and friends.


 

 

WRPA Needs You to Select Your Network!

Why select a network? By selecting your network(s), you will ensure that pertinent information and trainings that apply to your job and your interests will be sent to you. So help us help you by logging in to your WRPA member profile, and selecting a network today!

Select 1 or more networks based on your job responsibilities:

  • Administrative
  • Aquatics
  • Athletics
  • Board & Commissions
  • Commercial
  • Facility
  • Park Resources
  • Programming
  • Technology

We're here to help!  Please contact the WRPA Office with any questions you may have about logging in to your profile or choosing a network.


 

 

In the News:

 

 


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!


 

Recent Job Postings

  • Park Planning and Development Manager, City of Bellingham
  • Sustainability Intern, City of Issaquah
  • Parks Maintenance Worker I, City of Issaquah
  • Parks Irrigation Specialist, City of Issaquah
  • Journey Level Maintenance Technician, City of Lacey
  • Maintenance Aide, City of Mountlake Terrace
  • Facilities and Customer Service Supervisor, City of Kennewick 

Visit the WRPA Career Center


Calendar of Events
Date: Event:
Location:
 May 4 - 5, 2016 Annual Conference  Everett Xfinity Convention  Center
October 13, 2016 Fall Summit Seattle 
         
  WRPA Volunteer Opportunities
  Thank You Sponsors!  
 

Why We Need You!

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 about opportunities that have recently become available!


ANNUAL PLATINUM SPONSOR


ANNUAL GOLD SPONSOR

 

Washington Recreation and Park Association
[email protected] | 206-361-8869 | www.wrpatoday.org