Member News

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has provided grant funding opportunities for park and trail projects across Minnesota. Applications are now being accepted for the following grant programs: outdoor recreation, natural and scenic area, regional trail, local trail connections and federal recreational trails.

These grants help local governments throughout the state create partnerships with the DNR to fund projects ranging from local parks, regional trails to trail connections. Eligibility requirements, deadlines, contact information and other details can be found on the DNR Web site at mndnr.gov or on the following program links:

Outdoor Recreation Grant Program

Natural and Scenic Area Program

Federal Recreational Trail Program

Regional Trail Grant Program

Local Trail Connections Grant Program

MRPA will honor the following outstanding parks and recreation professionals at the MRPA Professional Awards Ceremony in Apple Valley on January 14, 2022:  

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!

Congratulations to the following Board of Directors and Recreational Sports Commission (RSC) members:

2022 MRPA Board of Directors

President-Elect

Jerome Krieger, Blaine

Secretary

Annie Olson, Minneapolis

East Metro

Becky Sola, Shoreview

Andrew Pimental, Eagan

West Metro

Jason T. West, St. Louis Park

Mike Ramirez, Brooklyn Park

Southern

Joey Schugel, St. Peter

RSC

Courtney John, St. Paul (At-large)

Chris Morrow, Maple Grove (West Metro)

Jarod Meyer, Duluth (At-large, Greater MN) 

The Board of Directors will be sworn in at the Annual General Meeting and Award Luncheon on January 14, 2022 in Apple Valley, Minnesota.

The MRPA Mentorship Program is now taking applications for both mentors and mentees interested in being a part of a mentorship program. This is a program hosted by the Young Professional and Student Network to help park and recreation professionals and students grow professionally in the field through meaningful connections. Please submit the application by December 17, 2021.

Mentor Application

Mentee Application

Contact either John Stutzman JStutzman@goldenvalleymn.gov or

Meredith Lawrence mlawrence@mendotaheightsmn.gov with any questions.

Click here for the brochure.

The MRPA election for the Board of Directors and Recreational Sports Commission (RSC) begins this week. Click here to view the Board and RSC nominee profiles.  Thank you to all the nominees for the MRPA Board of Directors and RSC.

The 2021 MRPA Awards Committee is calling for Professional Award nominations to recognize individuals in six different categories: Clifton E. French, Dorothea Nelson, Jack Niles, Leadership, Horizon and Board and Commission Members. The nomination form is online this year and can be completed by clicking here. All nominations must be submitted by Wednesday, November 3.

2020 Professional Award Recipients
Left to right: JJ Williams, Chris Esser, Sandy Breuer, Jason West, Mark Oestreich, Chris Fleck, Nicole Gorman, and Nate Rosa; (Dale McCamish not pictured - unable to attend)

Thank you to all the sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, and delegates for attending the 84th MRPA Annual Conference and Exhibit Hall October 12-15 at the Earle Brown Center in Brooklyn Center.

To view photos from the Annual Conference, visit the MRPA Facebook page.

We look forward to the MRPA Annual Conference 2022 at Cragun's Resort and Conference Center in Brainerd the week of October 11-14.

Sincerely,

MRPA Annual Conference Committee

Emerging leaders seek opportunities to learn, explore, and take risks. Minnesota Recreation and Park Association is committed to preparing professionals with the leadership skills and knowledge base needed to sustain and better their organization and the people they serve.

The Emerging Recreation Leaders Institute 1 (ERLI) will meet on five days during the fall of 2021, October 21, 26, November 4, 9 and 18. ERLI is geared for the parks and recreation professional with less than eight years of experience. Seasoned professionals will serve as the faculty for each session. ERLI is limited to 40 participants.  

Much consideration was given to the program’s delivery format due to COVID-19 conditions and member survey responses. Therefore, the program is offered in a condensed format with both in-person and virtual sessions. The program has been designed so participants learn together as one group – either all in-person or all virtual – so they may build their professional peer network. A minimum of 20 participants is needed to run the program.

Click here to learn more and register.

ENTER TO WIN FREE LIFE FLOOR FOR YOUR COMMUNITY! In 2020, Life Floor and Inside Edge Safety Surfaces awarded a free splash pad surface to the city of Dothan, AL. Don't miss your chance to enter - the deadline is November 30, 2021. HOW TO ENTER To enter this grant contest, visit our website, fill out the form, and send us an email at solutions@lifefloor.com with a floor plan and 2-3 photos of your splash pad. Alternatively, you may fill out the PDF version of the application below and email everything to solutions@lifefloor.com. Don’t miss your chance to win a grant for your facility!

ENTER HERE TODAY!

Printable Entry Application - Download Here 2021 Make a SPLASH! Contest Details + Terms and Conditions - Download Here

The summer 2021 issue of MRPA's magazine is now online and includes the full 2021Annual Conference Guide.The issue also includes:

• Tech for Rec - highlighting how agencies use technology for hiring/scheduling part-time and seasonal employees.

• Golf in Minnesota communities

A hard copy of the magazine will mail to all members in early August. Click here to read the issue.