Greetings!

The WRPA E-news is distributed twice a month to our total membership. Its our tool for providing timely news and information you need regarding current events, grants, training, and great ideas to add value to your work day.

Governor Proclaims July as Parks!
Proclamation

On July 2nd Governor Christine Gregoire proclaimed July 2012 as Recreation & Parks Month and urges all citizens to join her in this special observance. View proclamation 

Mid Year Conference & Trade Show

Register early to be eligible for fantastic prizes!

Register by Friday August 3, 2012 to be included in the raffle for one complimentary 2013 Annual Conference & Trade Show full conference registration. ($269 value) Vancouver, WA and One Night Deluxe Accommodation at the Tulalip Resort Casino PLUS a $60 Dinning Credit! ($289 value) Marysville, WA. The Washington Recreation & Park AssociationMid Year Conference & Trade Show is our premiere fall training attracting over 200 park and recreation professionals. More

League Fees Meeting Results

Friday, July 13 Metro Parks Tacoma

Over 60 people from over 38 agencies met with Kristine Rompa, Tax Policy Specialist, Patti Wilson, Local Government Liaison from the Department of Revenue for the discussion regarding  league fees and issues and determinations on how charges for various amusement and recreational activities. 

Certified Playground Safety Inspector Courses Open
August 15-17, 2012 - Bellevue WA
November 14-16, 2012 - Bellevue WA 

This course is the most comprehensive training program on playground hazard identification and risk management methods offered anywhere. Advanced reading and fifteen hours of training from nationally known playground safety experts will prepare participants to "sit" for the
Certified Playground Safety Examination offered at the culmination of the certification course.  More/Register  Sponsored by Northwest Playground, Inc & SiteLines Park & Playground Products

Call For Volunteers

Risk Management School

One year ago a group of adventurous park and recreation professionals came together to create a NEW and IMPROVED WRPA Risk Management School.  It's time to get together and start thinking about the 2013 school.  We will need another amazing group of people willing to take on leadership roles to make this work.  If you are interested in helping to make this happen please let me know. All are welcome to join the fun! 
I've reserved a Gotomeeting on Monday, July 23 at 10:00 a.m.   I know its summer time - if you are on vacation or not available at this time but want to help - let me know and I'll keep you on the list and in the loop. Mary Dodsworth 253-983-7741 mdodsworth@cityoflakewood.us

Call For Nominations

Facility Section Awards

The Facility Services Section will present three awards at the WRPA Mid-Year: Customer Service Award; Outstanding Professional Award; and Innovative Facility Practice Award. Nominations are accepted at the WRPA Office through September 28, 2012.  More

WRPA Membership Directory
Online location has moved

Both the WRPA general membership directory and the commercial directory are now located under the "membership" tab and can be accessed from the WRPA home page.  Remember to view the general directory you will need to "log in" as this is a member protected site.  Our online directories are always current and up to date because they synchronize instantly with the member database. 

On the Move

Katie Anderson has accepted the position of Deputy Director of the Redmond Parks and Recreation Department. Katie previously managed the very successful redevelopment of the Lynnwood Recreation Center and Pool, and was the Deputy Director of the Lynnwood Parks and Recreation Department. Katie brings over twenty years of park and recreation management experience to the city, and will begin work in Redmond on August 1. Please join me in welcoming Katie to the City of Redmond.   

The national nonprofit KaBOOM! named the following five cities in the state of Washington as Playful City USA communities for thier efforts to increase play opportunities for children: Auburn; Kenmore; Longview; Mercer Island and Parkland.

Impacts of MAP-21
On local trail, walking and bicycling projects

The first webinar, A MAP-21 Guide for Trail, Walking and Bicycling Advocates, will be held on Tuesday, July 17, at 1 p.m. EDT. It is geared specifically for national, state and local advocates and supporters of trail, walking and bicycling infrastructure as well as other beneficiaries of TE such as historic preservation and environmental interests. More 

Unsung Heros in California

For the past 18 months, the media has counted down the days to the planned closure of up to 70 of California's state parks on July 1, 2012.  Well, Doomsday has arrived, but in a somewhat surprising turn of events, virtually all of the parks slated to close remain open, although some are hanging on by a thread, and a handful may not remain open for more than a few days or weeks.. More

Fitness Spending 

Consumers throughout the U.S. have spent more on fitness in recent years despite high unemployment and a tough economy. The fitness industry has grown about 2.3 percent per year during the past five years, a time frame in which disposable income grew by only 0.1 percent annually, according to a recent report by Los Angeles-based research firm IBISWorld. More  

Land Water Conservation Fund

Call to Action

Alll indications are that we are facing a similar situation to last year where your advocacy efforts were instrumental in helping to secure an increase in State Assistance funding when overall funding for LWCF, like many federal programs, was cut.  As the NRPA Public Policy team meets with Hill staff we are continually reminded of the need for Congressional offices to hear from their constituents.  More 

What Does the Transportation Bill Mean for Safe Routes to School?

New blog on the impact specific to Safe Routes to School
This week, Congress is voting on a new two-year transportation bill, called MAP-21, that will make significant changes to federal transportation policy that negatively impact bicycling and walking programs. More 

Special Grants Program

2012 Supplemental Capital Budget 

This $12M grant program is split into $6m economic development and $6M community revitalization. The criteria on the community revitalization side include a project's ability to make communities more ped-bike friendly and to enhance in-city recreation. WRPA worked on this in conjunction with the "Jobs Package" enacted by the Legislature. The application cycle is likely to start end of July with CERB offering a webinar early August.  More

Quick View of Upcoming Training

Visit our registration page for more information on all these trainings.

• August 15-17: Certified Playground Safety Instructor
• November 9: Mid Year Conference & Trade Show 
• November 14-16: Certified Playground Safety Instructor

Brit Kramer, CPRP, CAE

Executive Director 

Washington Recreation & Park Association

Upcoming Section Meetings

We believe ALL kids are created equal

At Landscape Structures, we're creating play environments where all children and their families can play together, regardless of their abilities.

Northwest Playground Equipment, Inc.
is located in beautiful downtown Issaquah in Washington State.

We serve Washington, Oregon, Northern Idaho, Montana and Alaska.

Upcoming WRPA Executive Board Meetings

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