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Our Mission
To Advance park and recreation opportunities that enhance the quality of life through education, communication and advocacy.

Our Vision
The Kansas Recreation and Park Association is THE SOURCE for information which advances parks and recreation in the State of Kansas and beyond.

Career Center /Join KRPA
The Kansas Recreation and Park Association launched an Online Career Center on November 15, 2006. Employers can go online to post job listings. Professionals can go online to post their resume. All of these services are available to KRPA Members only. If you would like to join KRPA to receive access to the KRPA Online Career Center, click on this link to the KRPA Membership Application.

Questions, contact Bonnie Simon Email or by phone, 785-235-6533 ext 20

Mark Fenton and Dr. Richard Jackson Featured in Annual Built Environment and the Outdoors Summit, Oct. 1-3, in Topeka

TOPEKA, KS. – Dr. Richard Jackson and Mark Fenton, two nationally recognized experts on creative methods for making communities healthier and more livable, will headline the third annual Built Environment and the Outdoors Summit, scheduled for Oct. 1-3 at the Capitol-Plaza Hotel in Topeka.

The summit is designed for community health and trail system advocates, city or state government leaders or planners, or anyone interesting in learning techniques and philosophies to enhance healthy lifestyles through community development, outdoor activity and nutrition.
For more information click here:

Economic Stimulus Website Resources

There are two website where information on the Economic Stimulus Recovery Act opportunities can be found.

Review NRPA's Analysis on the Economic Stimulus Activities here

Grants.gov website – click on Recovery Act Opportunities. You can then click on Find Recovery Act Opportunities or view the list of the various agencies and click on their link for their Recovery Act programs).

FedConnect - FedConnect is an online marketplace where federal agencies post opportunities and make awards via the web.

KRPA to Offer Low Cost Management and Leadership Webinars

We’re excited to announce our first offering of webinar learning opportunities. We’ve partnered with Rich Drinon & Associates, Inc. to provide a series of three management and leadership webinars that will offer training with CEU credit opportunities. These webinars are open to anyone that is interested in any or all of the topics listed below.

Click Here for the Details.
Click Here for the Registration Form.

KRPA Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights

The KRPA Park and Natural Resources Branch has introduced the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights (see poster above), an awareness campaign that encourages the involvement of children and nature. The poster and sign program, co-sponsored with KRPA by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, has been funded by Subway. Outdoor Bill of Rights posters were distributed at the 2009 KRPA Conference and Trade Show. In addition, 40 indoor and outdoor metal signs will be distributed to state parks and selected nature centers around the state. The campaign presents 10 basic outdoor activities for children. For a copy of the poster, contact the KRPA office.

KRPA Goes to Washington, DC

Representatives from park and recreation agencies in Kansas joined with more than 300 professionals, citizen board members and staff in attending the annual NRPA Legislative Forum in Washington, DC, March 16-20. Included in the KRPA contingent was KRPA President Betty Zeka (Hutchinson), NRPA Board of Trustee Bob Johnson, Jr. (Blue Valley), Michael Meadors (Johnson County), Mark Mergen (Leawood) and KRPA Executive Director Dour Vance. Read Betty Zeka’s reflections on the Legislative Forum and the group’s visit to Capitol Hill to meet with Kansas congressmen.
CLICK HERE

KRPA members meet with Congressman Todd Tiahrt (third from right) at his office in Washington, DC.

2008 KRPA Annual Report
CLICK HERE to view the report.

Learn about the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act and its impact on your aquatic facility.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Cobb, Natoli, Seitz, Deghand and Nogelmeier Among 11 Professionals, Volunteers or Board Members to be Honored During KRPA Awards Luncheon

KRPA and its members will pay tribute to meaningful achievements and significant contributions to park and recreation in Kansas during its annual Awards Luncheon at the annual KRPA Conference and Trade Show at the Grand Prairie Hotel and Convention Center in Hutchinson.

The KRPA Hall of Fame Committee has selected 11 individuals or families in nine award categories.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE

KDWP Reveals 5-Year Trails Plan
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced guidelines for improvement of existing trails and development of more trails throughout the Sunflower State. Entitled Kansas State Trails Plan 2008 , the 103-page document will serve as the primary planning resource to guide those who build and maintain recreational trails, their partners, and other decision-makers in efforts to provide the public with high-quality trail-use experiences.MORE AND DOWNLOAD
OF PLAN.

KRPA Today is the association's quarterly magazine
which is distributed to over 1,000 members and state legislators. The publication contains information KRPA news and the latest trends in parks and recreation. You can also find resources that connect you to fellow professionals from around the state of Kansas, and to products and services that will allow you to excel as a professional. To access the digital version of KRPA or to learn more about how to submit articles, photos or advertising CLICK HERE.

KRPA Strategic Plan
The Five Year Strategic Plan was created to provide the Association's leaders with a tool that will be used to allocate resources in a manner which is sensitive to member needs for professional development, legislative action, networking and promotion of benefits of parks and recreation at the local and statewide level.

Launched in January, 2008, it puts a renewed emphasis on the benefits of being a Vision and Mission-Driven Association which provides customized services for all its members, regardless of their branch affiliation, the region of the State where they reside, their agency employment level or years of experience in the profession.

The Kansas Recreation and Park Association will solidify its position in the State of Kansas as THE SOURCE for information which advances parks and recreation in the state and beyond.
Click here for the KRPA Strategic Plan MORE

Youth Sports Grants Available
The following grant opportunities are now available! Please note the opportunities listed here are NOT managed or administered by KRPA or NRPA and are being provided for informational purposes only. Any questions should be directed to the organization managing the particular grant program you are interested in. For information, please follow the links provided. Read full story!

Advance the 2009 KRPA Legislative Platform  
Learn more about the critical issues related to parks and recreation in Kansas and how you can be an advocacy voice in helping make an impact and educate local and state leaders about our industry. CLICK HERE

DATABASE OFFERS ONLINE OVERVIEW OF OUTDOOR RECREATION
Users can customize search to match their recreation preferences

Looking for a place to hike, bike, or camp in Kansas? “Recreation Finder” is now online. This online resource allows users to search a database of more than 450 trails, 3,500 parks, and 12,500 recreation facilities across the state. Users can search for parks and facilities by name, location, park type, or facilities available.

Users can customize the map view by clicking the "customize" tab. This allows various levels of detail to be illustrated and ultimately printed. The map can become a bit overloaded if all the layers are illustrated, so this option is useful to reduce some of the clutter. A map of a selected destination may be printed by clicking the “print” tab. Trails are similarly searchable. Click the “trails” tab at the top and look for trails by trail name, difficulty, location, or type of use. A brief summary of trail features is provided, including length, surface, and allowable uses.

Recreation Finder is a collaborative effort of the Kansas Recreation and Park Association, the Sunflower Foundation, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, the Kansas Geological Survey's Data Access Support Center, Kansas State University’s Department of Horticulture Forestry and Recreation Resources, and hundreds of park and recreation professionals and other city and school district staff members statewide.

Healthy Habits To Fight Childhood Obesity
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a partnership between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation. They have come together to fight one of our nation's leading health threats – childhood obesity. Its mission is to eliminate childhood obesity and to inspire all young people in the United States to develop lifelong, healthy habits. Their Web site has excellent resources to help agencies in the battle of obesity in their communities. The American Heart Association is a partner with KRPA in the effort to promote healthy lifestyles in Kansas Communities.
Click here to learn more

Nominate a Team from Your Community for the Outstanding Sportsmanship Award - KRPA and the Kansas Youth Sports Task Force will offer agencies an opportunity to recognize those groups who exhibit good sportsmanship with the first annual Outstanding Sportsmanship Award.  
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Retirees Membership Fees Lowered- In an effort to keep those who have retired from the profession involved and updated on Association activities, the cost of joining KRPA for retired professionals has been lowered to $25.
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Youth Sports Task Force Announces Two Initiatives For KRPA Members - As recreation leaders, the Youth Sports Task Force feels strongly that we need to take a leadership role in ensuring that children are allowed to participate in a healthy environment and under a set of specific values and that we push for positive reform in youth sports in our respective communities and throughout the state.   
More:

KRPA Discussion Forum Click on this link (KRPA Discussion Forum Instructions) to access the KRPA Forum / Bulletin Board that allows you to post questions about Aquatics, KRPA, NRPA, Parks, Recreation, and Recreation Commissions. You will have access to the responses to your question as well.