Member News

We’d love for you to join us on Tuesday, April 28 from 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. for MRPA's Day on the Hill - Click here for the flyer

It will be held at the Minnesota State Capitol’s Upper Mall (75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. S), in partnership with Three Rivers Park District. Link for parking instructions. 

This day is all about building connections with local policymakers to help them understand the impact parks and recreation have in their communities.

Your legislators want to hear from you!

Meeting with your representative may sound intimidating, but it is a simple way to introduce yourself and have a conversation about the work you do in your community. Your representatives want to know who you are, what is happening in their district, and what matters to the people they represent. 

How to get involved:

Step 1: Find your representatives

• Look up your state senator and representative using the Minnesota Legislature website here.

Step 2: Email their office to request a short meeting

• Email their office to request a short meeting during Day on the Hill. MRPA has provided a template that may be used.

Step 3: Prepare a few talking points about your role and community

• Keep it simple. You don’t have to have a formal “ask” or policy request to participate.

Talking points may include:

• Who you are and your role
• Your agency/community
• A quick example of your impact (program, park project, etc.)
• Why parks and recreation matter locally

Step 4: Attend your meeting and share your experience

• Remember, this is a conversation not a presentation. Be prepared but be genuine and share your experiences. You are the expert on programs, parks, and your community! 

Step 5: Follow up with a brief thank you

• Send a quick thank you email after the meeting to keep the connection going. You may want to highlight 1-2 main points for your representative to remember.

The more MRPA members who participate, the stronger the voice for parks and recreation becomes. These conversations help legislators better understand the impact of parks in their communities and build connections they can rely on when park-related decisions arise. After all, Strong Parks = Strong Communities!

You are welcome to attend on behalf of your organization or as a community member. Both perspectives are valuable. In addition, MRPA advocates for parks and recreation at the state level. If helpful, you may review or reference MRPA’s 2026 legislative priorities here. 

We’ll have a table on the Upper Mall (in partnership with Three Rivers Park District), so stop by, bring a colleague, wear your department gear, and maybe even take a Capitol tour while you're there!

Unplug Minnesota Day is on July 11, 2026. Click here for the unplug kit - which includes messaging, ideas, and promotional resources. Although it references the state of Illinois, this information can be adapted for other states. 

Started eight years ago by the state of Illinois. Unplug Day is a statewide effort that encourages people to step away from screens and reconnect with recreation, nature, friends, family, and in-person experiences.

Unplug Illinois Day - communities host activities that promote unplugged time, whether that’s enjoying parks and trails, participating in recreational programs, playing games, or spending quality time together without devices.  

Feel free to use anything from the Unplug Illinois kit to promote July 11 in your Minnesota community!

The Awards of Excellence program recognizes agencies or organizations in Minnesota for outstanding achievements in parks, recreation, and leisure services. All nominations must be submitted by the application deadline of March 31, 2026.

*Nominations are for new or purposefully updated/changed initiatives completed in 2025.

Administrative or Management Strategies:

https://form.jotform.com/260503584552153

Park & Facility:

https://form.jotform.com/260504977615160

Programming & Events: 

https://form.jotform.com/260504688071155

Marketing & Communications:

https://form.jotform.com/260504789971166

Sponsorships & Partnerships:

https://form.jotform.com/260504939842160

Volunteer Initiatives:

https://form.jotform.com/260504319926155

This is a scored process, so complete answers to the application questions are valuable to a project’s overall score. Those applications that meet scoring criteria are presented with an MRPA Awards of Excellence plaque. All nominations must be submitted by the application deadline of March 31, 2026.

We encourage all agencies to submit at least one project application. Let’s highlight all the great projects happening in Minnesota!

Sincerely,

Nicole Greenwell and Chelsea Swenhaugen

Co-Chairs, MRPA Awards Committee

MRPA Annual Conference 2026
October 20 - 23, 2026
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
Duluth, MN 

The Conference Committee is looking forward to providing diverse educational opportunities that will engage professionals from all backgrounds. If you have a new, fresh, or even off-the-cuff idea, we would love to connect and explore how we can help bring it to life — please reach out to Chelsea Swenhaugen or Ross Demant to start the conversation. It is important to us that the members we serve gain meaningful experiences that truly “Lifts” their education, expand their knowledge, and strengthen engagement within their own communities.

To submit an Educational Session Proposal please visit: ­­­­­https://form.jotform.com/260223698221151

The deadline for Educational Session Proposals is Friday, March 27.  

If you have questions, the Conference Committee members would be happy to assist you:

Alicia Watts, Conference Committee Co-Chair - awatts@duluthmn.gov

Sam Werle, Conference Committee Co-Chair - swerle@duluthmn.gov

Ross Demant, Program Committee Co-Chair - ross.demant@wrightcountymn.gov

Chelsea Swenhaugen, Program Committee Co-Chair  - cswenhaugen@ighmn.gov                       

This year’s conference theme is Lifted. The 2026 conference team is devoted to delivering a conference that will explore all aspects of parks and recreation!

The Awards of Excellence are presented by Minnesota Recreation and Park Association. Nominations for new or purposefully updated/changed initiatives completed in 2025 will be open in mid-February. 

The major goal of the Awards of Excellence program is to increase public awareness and appreciation of the excellent parks, trails, and recreation services available in Minnesota. The awards committee will score selected agencies and follow up with recipients in late spring. 

Public presentations of the awards are made before the agencies’ governing bodies throughout the summer season. These projects will also be highlighted in the fall issue of the MRPA member magazine. 

Below are the MRPA Awards of Excellence for projects completed in 2024 in the following categories:

Administrative or Management Strategies

• City of Richfield - Our Legacy, Our Future: Local Option Sales Tax Referendum for Recreation Facilities
• City of Roseville - Natural Resources Management Plan Update
• Saint Peter Recreation and Leisure Services - Saint Peter's 2024-2038 Parks and Recreation Master Plan
• Washington County Parks - Seasonal Staffing Process Improvements

Marketing & Communications

• City of Mendota Heights - Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Annual Report Video
• City of St. Louis Park - Share Your Story

Park and Facility

• City of Cottage Grove - Glacial Valley Park and Building
• City of New Brighton - Totem Pole Park Reconstruction
• City of Rochester Parks and Forestry - Cascade Lake Regional Park
• Dakota County - CSAH 32 Wildlife Tunnels
• Washington County Parks - Historic Courthouse Reconstruction

Programming and Events

• Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department - Casting with Cops
• City of Cottage Grove - Pickleball in Cottage Grove
• Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board - Backyard Chicken Series - Chicken Incubation and Embryology, Coop Group, Chicken Fiesta
• Three Rivers Park District - The Big Year of Bugs

Sponsorships and Partnerships

• City of Brooklyn Center - Yoga for All
• City of Brooklyn Center - Harvest for All - Local Food Purchase Assistance Produce Distribution
• City of New Brighton - Parks Discovery Day
• City of Newport - Busy Beaver Playground Reconstruction
• Three Rivers Park District and V3 Sports - Family Water Safety Workshops

Volunteer Initiatives

• City of Winona Parks and Recreation Department - Free Holiday Shopping Experience
• Saint Peter Recreation and Leisure Services Department - St. Peter Library's Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and VolunTeen Programs

Congratulations again to all MRPA Awards of Excellence recipients for the 2024 projects!

MRPA Awards Committee The purpose of the MRPA Awards Committee is to recognize individuals, agencies, organizations, or institutions for their excellent, outstanding, or unique accomplishments in recreation, parks, leisure services, conservation of the environment, and the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association.  The Awards Committee is in need of applications from Southern Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (SMRPA) and non-management positions. Please fill out this short questionnaire by January 16. Thank you! MRPA Race and Equity Advisory Committee (REAC) Application The MRPA REAC was formed to assist the association, its members and member agencies to deliver services through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The committee will help to solidify the MRPA’s commitment to addressing systemic racism and inequities which persist throughout Minnesota, using park and recreation agencies as agents of change.  The REAC is currently seeking members for the committee and for the core REAC leadership team. Please fill out the application by January 28: https://forms.gle/WBBPSewQfJmERXgJ8 MRPA Programming Network Leader/Chair or Co-Chairs The Programming Network shares best practices for programming, resources, and trends. This group provides information regarding service for diverse needs and populations. Please email the MRPA office at gerhard@mnrpa.org if you have interest in being a o-chair of the Programming Network in 2026 by January 16. Emerging Recreation Leaders Institute 2 MRPA will host the Emerging Recreation Leaders Institute 2 (ERLI) over five days in the fall of 2026. We’re looking for up to five members to join the planning committee, which will begin discussions in April. This group will review the curriculum from the last class in 2024, and offer suggestions for this year, share session topics, and confirm presenters. Click here for the previous curriculum outline from 2024. Committee members also assist with day-of logistics. If you’re interested, please email MRPA at snider@mnrpa.org by January 30. MRPA will connect with those completing the form in January. Thank you for your interest in these network and committee involvement opportunities!

MRPA will hold its Annual General Meeting at 10:30 a.m. January 9 at the Shoreview Community Center. The 2025 annual report will be shared at this time. We also wanted to share this information with the full membership:

·       MRPA Annual General Meeting Agenda

·       MRPA Annual Report 2025

·       Minutes from AGM 2024

MRPA will then celebrate the following Professional Award recipients for their outstanding achievements:

CLIFTON E. FRENCH AWARD

 Dan Schultz, Rosemount

NELSON - NILES AWARD

 Jenna Smith, Victoria

 JJ Williams, Washington County

 HORIZON AWARD

 Kelly Distad-Arvold, New Brighton

 Nicole Greenwell, Anoka County

 BOARD AND COMMISSION AWARD

 Linda Klein, Eagan

 LEADERSHIP AWARD

 Jennifer Fink, New Brighton

TOMMY JOHNSON AWARD

 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

MRPA says thank you to all the delegates, volunteers, exhibitors and sponsors of the 88th Annual Conference and Exhibit Hall held October 27-30 at the Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center, MN.

The conference included 500 delegates, a sold-out exhibit hall, and numerous sponsors and volunteers. Attendance marked an all-time high for a MRPA Annual Conference. This year’s conference also included many educational sessions and the 3rd Annual Maintenance Rodeo. MRPA is grateful for the outstanding work of the year’s annual conference committee!

Playground Maintenance Course - Cancelled
November 4, 2025

*This one-day training needed a minimum of 25 participants.  We plan to hold a CPSI course and exam in March 2026. Thank you for understanding.

The MRPA Professional Awards recognize individuals who advance the parks and recreation profession and make a lasting impact on their organization and community. If you know a colleague who demonstrates outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication, nominate them today!

Nomination Deadline: Monday, September 29

Submit Nominations Here: MRPA Professional Awards Nomination Form

Help us honor the professionals shaping the future of parks and recreation!

Sincerely,

Minnesota Recreation and Park Association