Get Outdoors PA Partners Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day on June 13th 

Get Outdoors PA is partnering with community partners statewide to celebrate its two-year anniversary on the weekend of National Get Outdoors Day - June 13th. Get plugged into the adventure and fun by visiting our calendar at GetOutdoorsPA.org and finding a guided program near you! You can try a hike and bike program with the Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails, flat water kayaking at a Memorial Lake State Park or an "Outdoors for Everyone" day, which includes orienteering, fishing, hiking and cycling at Prince Gallitzin State Park.

Visit www.GetOutdoorsPA.org today to plan your outdoor activities for this weekend!  

Breaking News: Governor Wolf Waives Fee for Volunteers' Background Checks  

"Shortly before the state House debate over proposed changes to the state's 

child abuse background checks law to make it less onerous to employees and volunteers who work with children that was supposed to happen on Wednesday [see below for HB 1276], Gov. Tom Wolf took a step to do just that"... (read the full article from PennLive)

Therapeutic Recreation Institute Evaluation

We would like to hear your feedback, click here to take the TRI Evaluation Survey.

Congratulations to the TRI Committee for a successful event! Save the dates for next year, we will be back at the DoubleTree Resort in Lancaster. The dates are May 31-June 3, 2016.

Congratulations to the award winners:

Memorial Scholarship - Haley Smith

Outstanding New Professional - Trey Coffman

Outstanding Special Event - Cedarbrook's Disney Main Street Parade

Student Scholarship - Johanna Roque

Volunteerism Award - Cap Baumbach

Distinguished Member - Becky Kandrac

Welcome Nicole Lynd!  

At the end of Nicole's internship with us, she was hired to join the PRPS staff full time. She will assist with grants and training projects. Please join us in welcoming Nicole. Nicole's email is nlynd@prps.org.

Greenways & Trails Summit Register Now!

Member Request

I'm seeking information about parks departments that allow alcohol in the parks - either by special exception, for events, or on a general basis. I'm looking for rules, regulations, agreements or MOU's regarding this topic.

Please respond to Karen Whitney, Director Parks and Recreation Department

Township of Warminster by email kwhitney@warminsterpa.org.

Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Plan:

Making Natural Connections among Health, Outdoor Activities and Community Vitality

Pennsylvania's new Outdoor Recreation Plan is a blueprint for how policy-makers and communities will connect citizens to healthy outdoor recreation over the next five years.

The 100-page plan examines societal changes, outdoor recreation trends and the current state of recreation services in Pennsylvania. Research for the plan indicates that maintenance of existing park and recreation areas continues to be a top concern and priority for citizens and providers, and that park and recreation services are a central asset in combating societal health care issues like obesity and mental health.

Click here to download the PA SCORP 2014-2019. And for the Executive Summary, click here.

Request for Proposals: Urban Parks and Recreation Consultant - Deadline is July 1, 2015

The Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, Inc. is accepting proposals for a one-time contract to perform certain professional (consulting) services work involving developing urban recreation resources and best practices, building capacity for urban parks and recreation, and beginning the planning to develop a community park maintenance program in Pennsylvania.

Visit this link for information to submit a proposal including specific requirements, the organization of the proposal, and proposal evaluation criteria.

Proposals must be received electronically by the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, Inc. Attn: Tim Herd, Interim Executive Director at herd@prps.org no later than July 1, 2015 at 4:00 pm ET. If additional information is needed, please contact Tim Herd via email or by calling 814-234-4272.

Get Your Promotional Tools for Park and Recreation Month

Whether you've got a July filled with events tied to Park and Recreation Month or you just want to show your support through social media, we've got the tools you need to do it! Check out the Press and Social Media Outreach toolkit that has key messages, template materials, sample social media posts, media how-tos and more. Promoting your events through traditional and social media can help increase attendance and gain exposure for the great work you do.

Click here to download the Press and Social Media Outreach Toolkit and access the other Park and Recreation Month materials.  

Calendar of Events

For a listing of other events or webinars, click here to view the calendar.

Save the Date!

 

March 13-16, 2016