Kansas Recreation & Park Association upcoming events

Women's Leadership Summit 2026 (25 Aug 2026)

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join us for a day of inspiration, connection, and growth at the 2026 Women’s Leadership Summit. Learn more at https://krpa.org/womens-leadership.

Includes: Lunch and .3 CEU's

Sponsored by:

Additional Course Information:

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the KRPA office at 785-235-6533 or jamie@krpa.org.

KRPA Event Policy:

No Refunds: Please note that all registrations are non-refundable. We regret that we cannot offer refunds for any cancellations.

Substitutions: We do allow substitutions. If you are unable to attend the event, you may transfer your registration to another person. Please notify us of any substitutions at least 48 hours prior to the event.

Registration Fees: All registration fees must be paid in full within 30 days of registration. Failure to pay within this timeframe may result in the cancellation of your registration.

Commercial Vendor Workshop Attendance

The Kansas Recreation and Parks Association (KRPA) values the contributions and engagement of our commercial partners. To maintain a professional environment that supports both educational and networking opportunities for our members and sponsors, KRPA has established the following policy regarding commercial vendors attending workshops and events:

Policy Overview: Commercial vendors may not register or participate as general workshop attendees unless they are sponsoring the specific event in question. This policy ensures that the presence of commercial entities at KRPA events is aligned with their purpose of networking and building relationships within a professional context, while respecting the intent of these events as learning opportunities for non-commercial attendees.

Commercial Vendor Definition: According to the KRPA bylaws Commercial Vendor is defined as: Individuals, organizations, companies, or business firms selling products or services to recreation, park, conservation, and leisure service agencies.

Exclusions: Commercial vendors may register and participate in these certification programs as general attendees. These courses are designed to provide specialized training and a certification from the National Recreation and Park Association. We understand the need of vendors may have to receive these certifications.

Trail Development and Maintenance Workshop 2026 (10 Sep 2026)

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:15:00 GMT

Trail Development and Maintenance Workshop:
Water Trails Edition

Includes: Lunch and .3 CEUs

Additional Course Information: City of Manhattan – Municipal Services Facility, 1000 Levee Drive

Schedule: 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Learn more: www.krpa.org/park

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the KRPA office at 785-235-6533 or jamie@krpa.org.

KRPA Event Policy:

No Refunds: Please note that all registrations are non-refundable. We regret that we cannot offer refunds for any cancellations.

Registration Fees: All registration fees must be paid in full within 30 days of registration. Failure to pay within this timeframe may result in the cancellation of your registration.

Commercial Vendor Workshop Attendance

Tomorrow's Leaders Institute 2026 (15 Sep 2026)

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Tomorrow's Leaders Institute

Includes: .9 CEU's

September 15: Lunch, Dinner & Lodging

September 16: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Lodging

September 17: Breakfast and Lunch

Additional Course Information:

*Attendees are required to stay overnight for the entire institute, and will be housed in the air-conditioned Lifelong Learning Center Lodge with two or three people per room. The registration fee is all inclusive for the Tomorrow's Leaders Institute.

KRPA Member Rate - $300 (Early Bird - Register by Aug.7

KRPA Member Rate - $330

Non-Member Rate - $375 (Early Bird - Register by Aug.7)

Non-Member Rate - $405

Playground Maintenance Course (Fall 2026) (22 Sep 2026)

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Playground Maintenance Course

The National Recreation and Park Association's Playground Maintenance Course is a one-day (6.25 hour) educational course that covers the following topics – an overview of playground safety standards and guidelines, playground owner responsibilities and maintenance discussions on playground equipment, surfacing and site items. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the Playground Maintenance Course.

Includes: Lunch and CEU's

Additional Course Information:

Instructor: Brian Anderson

Costs: $175 (Member), $205 (Non-member)

Who should Enroll? Professionals who should take the course include maintenance staff, recreation staff, university seniors and any individuals who are responsible for playgrounds.

Eligibility: Course participants must be 18 years of age or older.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the KRPA office at 785-235-6533 or jamie@krpa.org.

KRPA Event Policy:

No Refunds: Please note that all registrations are non-refundable. We regret that we cannot offer refunds for any cancellations.

Registration Fees: All registration fees must be paid in full within 30 days of registration. Failure to pay within this timeframe may result in the cancellation of your registration.

Commercial Vendor Workshop Attendance

KRPA Golf Educational Event (08 Oct 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

KRPA Buffalo Dunes Golf Educational Event

Before the KRPA Golf Tournament tees off, join us for a free special educational opportunity at Buffalo Dunes Golf Course.

Clay Payne, Superintendent at Buffalo Dunes, will share how the course renovation became more than just a construction project. Through a philosophy of improving just 1% each day, the Buffalo Dunes team created momentum through small, intentional improvements over time.

This session will explore:

Building a culture of continuous improvement
Engaging staff in meaningful change
Creating community pride and support
Celebrating small wins along the way
Lessons learned throughout the renovation process

Whether you work in parks, golf, facilities, operations, or leadership, this session offers valuable takeaways on how steady progress and teamwork can lead to lasting transformation.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Buffalo Dunes Golf Course
CEUs: 0.1

About Buffalo Dunes

Buffalo Dunes is widely recognized as one of the premier golf courses in Kansas and the surrounding region. The 18-hole, par 72 course stretches 6,806 yards from the longest tees and offers a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels.

As Buffalo Dunes approaches its 50th anniversary, a multi-year renovation plan led by Superintendent Clay Payne continues to enhance the course while building pride among staff, golfers, and the community.

Attending the Golf Tournament?

The KRPA Golf Tournament will take place the following day at Buffalo Dunes on Friday, October 9. We encourage attendees to consider participating in both events for a great combination of networking, learning, and recreation. Register on the Garden City website.

Sponsored by:

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the KRPA office at 785-235-6533 or jamie@krpa.org.

KRPA Event Policy:

No Refunds: Please note that all registrations are non-refundable. We regret that we cannot offer refunds for any cancellations.

Registration Fees: All registration fees must be paid in full within 30 days of registration. Failure to pay within this timeframe may result in the cancellation of your registration.

Commercial Vendor Workshop Attendance

SHARP 2026 (15 Oct 2026)

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

SHARP

The SHARP Workshop is focused on giving yourself or your team the specific hands-on skills they need to make your agency stand out as the best.

SHARP = Successful Hands-on Applications for Recreation and Parks. This workshop will give you the opportunity to choose from branch (Wellness, Sports, Youth Services) breakout options to learn new skills.

Includes: Lunch and .4 CEU's

Sponsored by:

Additional Course Information: Any extra details (registration time, location details, etc)

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the KRPA office at 785-235-6533 or jamie@krpa.org.

KRPA Event Policy:

No Refunds: Please note that all registrations are non-refundable. We regret that we cannot offer refunds for any cancellations.

Registration Fees: All registration fees must be paid in full within 30 days of registration. Failure to pay within this timeframe may result in the cancellation of your registration.

Commercial Vendor Workshop Attendance

Facility Maintenance Workshop 2026 (27 Oct 2026)

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Facility Maintenance Workshop

Location: Joint Maintenance Facility (JMF), located southeast of U.S. 24 at 1000 Levee Drive, Manhattan, KS

Includes: Lunch and .2 CEU's

Sponsored by:

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the KRPA office at 785-235-6533 or jamie@krpa.org.

KRPA Event Policy:

No Refunds: Please note that all registrations are non-refundable. We regret that we cannot offer refunds for any cancellations.

Registration Fees: All registration fees must be paid in full within 30 days of registration. Failure to pay within this timeframe may result in the cancellation of your registration.

Commercial Vendor Workshop Attendance

Marketing Workshop 2026 (28 Oct 2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Marketing Workshop

Includes: Lunch and CEUs

Sponsored by:

Additional Course Information:

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the KRPA office at 785-235-6533 or jamie@krpa.org.

KRPA Event Policy:

No Refunds: Please note that all registrations are non-refundable. We regret that we cannot offer refunds for any cancellations.

Registration Fees: All registration fees must be paid in full within 30 days of registration. Failure to pay within this timeframe may result in the cancellation of your registration.

Commercial Vendor Workshop Attendance
The Kansas Recreation and Parks Association (KRPA) values the contributions and engagement of our commercial partners. To maintain a professional environment that supports both educational and networking opportunities for our members and sponsors, KRPA has established the following policy regarding commercial vendors attending workshops and events:

Policy Overview
Commercial vendors may not register or participate as general workshop attendees unless they are sponsoring the specific event in question. This policy ensures that the presence of commercial entities at KRPA events is aligned with their purpose of networking and building relationships within a professional context, while respecting the intent of these events as learning opportunities for non-commercial attendees.

Commercial Vendor Definition
According to the KRPA bylaws Commercial Vendor is defined as: Individuals, organizations, companies, or business firms selling products or services to recreation, park, conservation, and leisure service agencies.

Exclusions
Commercial vendors may register and participate in these certification programs as general attendees. These courses are designed to provide specialized training and a certification from the National Recreation and Park Association. We understand the need of vendors may have to receive these certifications.

Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course & Exam (Fall 2026) (17 Nov 2026)

Tue, 17 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Individuals taking the CPSI Classroom Course will gain practical, hands-on training on how to apply the ASTM standards and the CPSC guidelines to playground environments. Course participants will learn how to identify hazards on public playgrounds and playground equipment, how to rank hazards according to injury potential and how to apply that knowledge and establish a playground safety program.

Includes: Lunch on course days, 1.5 CEUs and the CPSI Course Manual*

Sponsored by:

Additional Course Details:

Times: November 17-18 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, check in starts at 7:30 AM
November 19 (Exam Day) 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, check in starts at 8:00 AM

The CPSI course materials that must be read in advance will be mailed to the course registrants 4 weeks prior to the course.

*The CPSI Manual is mailed to registrants for the course. It is not included in the Exam Only option.

Please access the CPSI Candidate Handbook (Paper & Pencil Testing) on the CPSI Material and Resources page to review critical information regarding completing the course/examination. The handbook contains detailed information on requesting Special Accommodations, English as a Second Language accommodations, how to access Latin-American Spanish materials and day-of examination policies (wearable technology policy, ID policy, etc.)

The option to take the CPSI exam via computer based testing is available through the NRPA. To obtain additional information please visit www.nrpa.org/cpsi. Please be advised if you register to take the examination with the course, you will not receive a refund to take your exam via computer based testing at a later date. Please decide now if you would like to take the exam on Day 3 of the course or via a Computer Based Exam at a later date.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the KRPA office at 785-235-6533 or jamie@krpa.org.

KRPA Event Policy:

No Refunds: Please note that all registrations are non-refundable. We regret that we cannot offer refunds for any cancellations.

Registration Fees: All registration fees must be paid in full within 30 days of registration. Failure to pay within this timeframe may result in the cancellation of your registration.

Commercial Vendor Workshop Attendance

Kansas Recreation & Park Association upcoming events

Women's Leadership Summit 2026 (25 Aug 2026)

Trail Development and Maintenance Workshop 2026 (10 Sep 2026)

Trail Development and Maintenance Workshop: Water Trails Edition

Tomorrow's Leaders Institute 2026 (15 Sep 2026)

Tomorrow's Leaders Institute

Playground Maintenance Course (Fall 2026) (22 Sep 2026)

Playground Maintenance Course

KRPA Golf Educational Event (08 Oct 2026)

KRPA Buffalo Dunes Golf Educational Event

Event Details

About Buffalo Dunes

Attending the Golf Tournament?

SHARP 2026 (15 Oct 2026)

SHARP

Facility Maintenance Workshop 2026 (27 Oct 2026)

Facility Maintenance Workshop

Marketing Workshop 2026 (28 Oct 2026)

Marketing Workshop

Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course & Exam (Fall 2026) (17 Nov 2026)

Trail Development and Maintenance Workshop:
Water Trails Edition