In this Issue...
Photo of the Month — Share Your Photos Too!
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Parks Blooming in Wenatchee
The City of Wenatchee Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department just completed several park improvement projects and is looking forward to a busy 2022.
Hale Park, at 4.97 acres, is just one of the many park renovations and is located along the banks of the Columbia River. It was donated to the City in 2014 and construction was completed in 2020. It features a 2.5-acre off-leash area, picnic amenities, play area, and skate park with the signature “Apple Bowl.”
Want to share a special image with WRPA members and supporters. Submit your own photo of the month by emailing us at [email protected]. |
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How Do You Recreate?
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Northwest Region Get-Together
Lauren Woodmansee from the City of Bellingham, put together a Northwest Region member get-together this past July to celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month. The group had a great time socializing in person and look forward to getting together again soon!
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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People in Photos: Patrick Ulinski (Cascade Job Corps Center), Andrea Kingsford (Marysville), Jim Ballew, Rose Ploeg (Mountlake Terrace), Jon Resetar (Mount Vernon), James Weppler (Mount Vernon), Bob Vaux (Anacortes), Jim Ballew (Retired from Marysville), Larry Otos (Retired from Mount Vernon), Travis Anderson (Anacortes)
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Fall Webinar Series
Join Us on November 5 and November 12!
November 5 | 9:00 AM –12:00 PM
Session A: Crafting Great Customer Experiences
November 12 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Session B: Looking, Listening, and Learning: Easy Ways to Better Understand Your Customers
Session C: Planning for Our COVID Comeback
Join us from the comfort of your office for a two-part Webinar Series scheduled to take place this November. These online trainings will be hosted by Bobbi Nance, CPRP and will focus on customer service best practices.
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Spotlight Professional: Cammy Coble
City of Wenatchee Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department
Cammy Coble is the administrative assistant for the City of Wenatchee Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. She is the primary point of contact for the public in her department. In her role, she schedules facilities, oversees seasonal cashiers, registers participants for programs, helps coordinate special events and programs, prepares interfund billings, assists with hiring staff, processes billings and purchase orders, maintains a variety of records, and helps wherever needed.
Cammy has this piece of advice for fellow parks and recreation professionals, "Always have a smile on your face, especially when answering the phone."
Read more about Cammy in the full spotlight.
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WRPA Awards Are Now Open
The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2022
Each year, WRPA looks forward to honoring Washington's exceptional people, parks, and programs. The WRPA Awards Program honors individuals and organizations for their contributions to the field of recreation and parks.
We have a variety of awards to help you gain recognition and this year we have made the nominations process much easier.
Take a moment to read WRPA's Special Message of Inclusion to see how this year's awards will be a little different from years past.
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Mickey Corso Professional Leadership Grant Is Open
Apply Today!
Mickey Corso (1942–1990), a WRPA past president, was the epitome of excellence in recreation and park leadership as well as in life. As a tribute to Mickey and to the professional leadership he provided in the industry, his family, friends, and co-workers established the Mickey Corso Professional Leadership Grant.
Each year, this grant is awarded to a small group of deserving professionals. The grant can be used for post-graduate trainings such as NRPA schools, graduate courses, or other opportunities relating to recreation and park leadership. Learn more and apply today.
If you would like to contribute to the Mickey Corso Leadership Grant and make a difference for recreation and park students and professionals, you can donate online today.
SEEK Fund 2022 Cycle Is Now Open
Funding Opportunity for K–12 Youth Summer Programs
WRPA, in collaboration with the AWC, is excited and proud to announce a $10 million funding program. This program is administered by AWC and made possible by funds provided to the OSPI and it will enable local parks and recreation agencies throughout our state to expand summer outdoor education programs offered to school-aged kids.
The purpose of SEEK funding is to increase access to quality outdoor summer programming for youth and communities who have historically been underserved and who have been most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We encourage you to learn more about the SEEK Fund today and start gathering the information you need for the online application!
Download the Application Guide & Project Cost Worksheet to get started.
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#WRPA2022: Attendee Survey
Share Your Perspective on Next Year's Conference
The WRPA Conference Planning Committee is currently hard at work preparing for the 75th Annual WRPA Conference. The team has created a survey to learn more about in-person participation as well as any event and/or travel restrictions you may be facing in 2022.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your input will help us provide park and recreational professionals with high-quality education, networking opportunities, and new connections next year.
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Flex Your Skill & Share Your Knowledge
Become a WRPA Speaker
WRPA is 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.
Submissions close on November 8, 2021.
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WRPA Agency Membership Highlight
Use Your Benefits to Their Fullest
Is your organization a WRPA Agency Member? Did you know all of your employees of an agency member have access to WRPA benefits, including advocacy, networking, educational opportunities, trainings, and industry news?
It is our goal to keep you informed about benefits and to provide inclusive and equitable membership benefits and levels for agencies of all sizes. This year, WRPA would like to thank members for their commitment to our communities and for all of their hard work.
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ACCESS RESOURCES
• WRPA Membership Directory
• Member Discounts
• Scholarship Opportunities
• Awards & Recognition Programs
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SHARE INFORMATION
• Post to the WRPA Job Board
• Have your team join a WRPA Network
• Get Involved with a WRPA Committee
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LEARN & PREPARE
• Annual Conference & Tradeshow
• Certified Playground Safety Inspector
• Fall Training Event |
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AMPLIFY YOUR VOICE
• WRPA Lobbyist advocating and creating a voice for all WRPA members
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Auburn’s REC Teen Center Is Full of Energy this Fall
WRPA Agency Member Spotlight
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.
The REC Teen Center was added to the City of Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation operations in June 2016 when the Auburn Community & Event Center opened.
The 7,300 sq. ft. REC Teen Center was created by renovating the former Parks, Recreation, and Arts Administration Building. The REC includes an informal gathering space intended for hangouts, games, and socializing as well as structured programs such as performances; a MakerSpace that includes laser cutters, 3D printers, and other technology for teens to innovate, learn, and build community through STEM and STEAM programming; a computer lab for homework, SAT prep, job preparation, videography and music; gaming systems, foosball, air hockey, and ping pong; Youth/Teen Center staff offices; and a separate entry and reception area for when the facility is open as a Teen Center.
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NRPA Parks & Recreation Magazine Highlight
"Access to Parks and the Outdoors is Crucial for
Mental Health in Our Communities"
March 20, 2020, Department, by Teresa L. Penbrooke, PhD, CPRE
As park and recreation professionals, we know in our hearts that good mental health is often related to having access to the outdoors and greenspace. Research over the years has shown that when people are more stressed, anxious, and socially isolated, as we are right now due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, having access to parks, trails and natural areas becomes even more important.
Read the full NRPA article to learn more.
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WRPA Blog Highlights
Read the Latest Industry News
Call to Action: Help The Washington Invasive Species Council
State Officials Ask for Public’s Help in Tracking the Invasive Tree-of-Heaven
Auburn’s REC Teen Center Is Full of Energy this Fall
WA State Parks: Equity & Inclusion in WA Outdoor Spaces
Enumclaw to Open New Outdoor Fitness Feature
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Thank You to Our Renewing Members!
Information Pulled October 20, 2021
Agency Members:
- Burien Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department
- City of Lake Stevens
- Mercer Island Parks & Recreation
- Samena Club
- Spokane Parks & Recreation
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Other Member Types:
- Lori Anderson, Central Klickitat County Parks & Rec.
- Lori Cummings, City of Everett
- Rachel Dotson, HBB Landscape Architecture
- Eric Friedli, Retired
- David Green, Everett Parks & Community Servies
- Mark Harrison, Everett Parks & Recreation
- Bob Leonard, Everett Parks & Recreation
- Kelly McGinley Ashe, City of Cheney Parks & Recreation Department
- Nicole Nukula, Whitewater Aquatics Management
- Jeremy Oshie, Everett Parks & Facilities
- Jeff Ozimek, Friends of Waterfront Seattle
- Erik Peterson, Lake Stevens High School Pool
- Cory Rettenmier, Everett Parks & Recreation
- Euan Robertson, Everett Parks & Recreation
- Robert Serviss, Snohomish School District
- Kimberly Shelton, Everett Parks & Recreation
- Jan Tanner, Everett Parks & Recreation
- Emily Young, Everett Parks & Recreation
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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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