The all new MRPA Forums will launch next week. You will be receiving an email directly from the MRPA website with your unique password. 

You can login by clicking the forum(s) you would like to join on the forums page under membership at https://mnrpa.org/Forums

This site is provided as a service for the members of MRPA.  To ensure the best experience for all members, we have established some basic guidelines at https://mnrpa.org/MRPA-Forum-Rules-&-Etiquett.  

Please take a moment to acquaint yourself with these important guidelines. Thank you!

Welcome to MRPA On the Air - a podcast for Minnesota Recreation and Park Association members and friends. Hosts Bryce and Meredith discuss everything parks and recreation throughout the entire state of Minnesota, including the latest MRPA news and events and what's going on in your association. MRPA is grateful to Landscape Structures and Flagship Recreation for their sponsorship of the podcast.

Teaser Episode

Today’s episode will introduce to you MRPA On The Air’s hosts, Bryce Shearen and Meredith Lawrence. Get to know the podcast hosts, and how they began in the parks and recreation profession. They’ll also share what listeners can expect from this new podcast.

The summer issue of the MRPA magazine will arrive in early July.  This will include the 2022 Annual Conference brochure.  For further information on the conference, visit https://mnrpa.org/MRPA-Annual-Conference

The 2022 Conference Planning Committee is excited to bring to you this year's Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference, which will be held October 11-14 at the newly remodeled Cragun’s Resort and Conference Center in Brainerd, Minnesota.  The Conference Committee is looking forward to providing continuing education, technical assistance, and social exchange among all members. The conference serves as an information resource on trends, developments, and future changes related to the delivery of parks and recreation services.  Registration will open in July!

This virtual training provides concepts, tactics, and methods used in de-escalation and crisis intervention practices. Participants will be provided with theory and knowledge to apply in their individual real-world situations and crises. This includes learning skills to address the needs of people in crisis, personal safety considerations, and preserving the safety of bystanders. This training is beneficial for full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff.

This virtual workshop will feature presenter Ellie Krug on Gray Area Thinking, and presenter Cardina Esparza on Understanding Oppression: How Oppression Manifests in our Individual Experience.  Register by April 27.  A Zoom link will be sent to the email address on the registration.  Thank you.

More information and registration form

Click here to register online

Minnesota Youth Water Safety – State

On March 21, 2022, the Minnesota Department of Education released the Minnesota Youth Water Safety grant available to Minnesota nonprofit organizations and city and county parks providing swimming lessons to youth. These state funds are available primarily for the purpose of providing low-income and at-risk children with scholarships for swimming lessons based on nationally recognized water safety curricula. Up to 15% of the grant funds may also be used to hire water safety instructors or lifeguards or to train water safety instructors or lifeguards in nationally recognized water safety practices and instruction. The total funding available is $110,000 for two fiscal years. The minimum award is $10,000 and the maximum award is $30,000 annually for the two fiscal years. Completed applications are due April 22, 2022. Information and applications can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education Grants webpage for the Minnesota Youth Water Safety grant.

Mike Ramirez Heart Scramble The Mike Ramirez Heart Scramble will be held April 28 at Theodore Wirth Golf Course. Registrations will be accepted through April 24, so put together your group and get signed up. The fee is $80 per person and includes the green fees, cart, and a box lunch.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Jacob Andersen at jandersen@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us Registration Link: Mike Ramirez Heart Scramble Registration

Minnesota State University, Mankato - RPLS Day The Department of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services at Minnesota State University, Mankato is excited to invite you to the first RPLS Day on Friday, April 8, 2022 in the Centennial Student Union! RPLS Day is an opportunity to share in celebrating all things RPLS, connect with professionals and students, visit campus and, reconnect with old friends and faculty. Any and all RPLS professionals, advocates, and stakeholders to attend! Please see the schedule and RSVP by clicking this link: https://mnsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bJzsBchiOXDoTuC  Please help us by registering to attend by March 14, 2022.

March and April WILS Meetings Women in Leisure Services (WILS) has the second book club meeting on Monday, March 14 from 9 - 11 a.m. They will be reading Choose Joy by Babs Plunkett. The author is a friend of one of our WILS members and has agreed to do a presentation. This meeting is free and will be at Edina Senior Center. 5280 Grandview Square # 101, Edina, MN 55436. Click here to sign up. On April 13, there will be self-defense training from the highest ranking Krav Maga instructor in North America. Paula Meyer will teach some ways to keep ourselves safe. Click here to register. Sincerely, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

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MRPA will honor the following outstanding parks and recreation professionals at the MRPA Professional Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 1, 2022. Click here for an event registration form.

CLIFTON E. FRENCH AWARD

Tom Schmitz, New Ulm

JACK NILES AWARD

Alex McKinney, Washington County

DOROTHEA NELSON AWARD

Marcia Larson, Bemidji

Becky Sola, Shoreview

HORIZON AWARD

Jenna Smith, Bloomington

BOARD AND COMMISSION AWARD

Thomas P. Anderson, Corcoran

Congratulations to the 2021 MRPA Professional Award recipients!

As an agency member of MRPA, the Department of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services at Minnesota State University, Mankato is excited to invite you to the first RPLS Day on Friday, April 8, 2022 in the Centennial Student Union!  RPLS Day is an opportunity to share in celebrating all things RPLS, connect with professionals and students, visit campus and, reconnect with old friends and faculty.

Any and all RPLS professionals, advocates, and stakeholders can attend. Please see the schedule and RSVP by clicking this link: https://mnsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bJzsBchiOXDoTuC

Register to attend by March 14, 2022.