Reminder: PA Local Parks & Recreation Survey Deadline is June 18

We want to hear from you! Please take just a few minutes for a SURVEY on the importance of local parks and recreation in your life.  

Therapeutic Recreation Evaluation Survey

Greenways & Trails Summit Register Now!

New Environmental Playground Nearing Completion in Scranton

Submit Your Session Proposal for the 2016 Conference

 

March 13-16, 2016

Be a part of the 2016 PRPS Annual Conference in Seven Springs. The conference program committee is  accepting educational session proposals through August 14, 2015.

Click here for the 2016 session proposal form.

For Conference Registration and Lodging fees, click here.

Sad News

Delores M. Andy, Professor Emerita, Temple University, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2015. Delores was an honorary member of PRPS and in 2007  supported the establishment of the "Delores M. Andy Scholarship Award" for a Temple University student to attend the PRPS Annual Conference. 

2015 Get Outdoors PA Mini-Grants Awardees

Ten Community Partners Receive $14,000 in Grant Funding

The Get Outdoors PA Mini-Grant Program awarded $14,000 in its first round of mini-grants to ten Get Outdoors PA Community Partners across the state. The purpose of these mini-grants is to provide Get Outdoors PA Community Partners with additional tools, specifically training and equipment, for implementing quality Get Outdoors PA programs. These mini-grants provide up to 50% of the costs associated with training and/or total equipment purchase, but may not exceed $3,000. Grantees are responsible for remaining costs of at least 50% or more of total costs. Only Get Outdoors PA Community Partners approved in 2014 or earlier were eligible for the 2015 grant round. We thank all those who applied and congratulate the 2015 recipients. Click here to view the 2015 recipients.

The Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, Inc. administers this mini-grant program, which is funded in part by a grant from the Environmental Stewardship Fund under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. 

A Look at Sports and Health in America

Americans love sports - watching them and playing them. But as participants, Americans' relationship with sports changes as we grow older. About three-quarters of adults say they played sports when they were younger. By the time people are in their late 20s, however, only 26 percent say they've played sports in the past year. Read More.

Click here for the full report on the poll and its findings. 

Congratulations to Glavin Playground in Philadelphia!

On May 18, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) announced the winners of its Parks Build Community competition. Glavin Playground won first place in Philadelphia and will be beautified with its $20,000 prize. Existing safety surfacing will be removed to make room for new green space at the park, including container gardens, seating and nature-play elements. 

In a pleasant surprise, Pennypack Environmental Center was a write-in winner and will receive funding as well! Inspired by the level of excitement exhibited at all three facilities that participated in this opportunity, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center's participation with a garden rehab and programming assistance.

Through a public voting process, the Parks Build Community program, a collaboration among NRPA, Disney, ABC and ESPN, awarded 15 communities throughout the United States resources to improve local parks through projects that connect kids with nature, promote healthy living and provide access to sports.      

Request for Proposals: Urban Parks and Recreation Consultant

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

Visit this link for details about submissions, including specific content and organizational requirements, and to review evaluation criteria.

Proposals must be submitted electronically to herd@prps.org no later than July 1, 2015 at 4:00 pm ET. For additional information, please contact Tim Herd at the above email address.