Join us!

Minnesota Recreation and Park Association is a professional membership association serving more than 900 members statewide.

To become a member online, click here.

Members receive:

Member rate for educational training, conferences, and workshops
MRPA’s quarterly magazine. Provides information on various parks and recreation themes
Job postings and MRPA updates via MRPA’s bulk e-mail system
Member rate for job position e-mail messages and online postings when searching for employees
Network meeting information

MRPA membership categories:
Click a category below or scroll down to learn more about each membership type.

Agency Membership
Professional Membership
Corporate Membership
Retiree Membership
Student Membership

For more information contact:

Bethani Gerhard
Minnesota Recreation and Park Association
Tel: 763.571.1305 x109
Email: gerhard@mnrpa.org

Agency Membership

Benefits of Agency Membership:

Board and Commission Members
Agency member’s board and commission members are also enrolled as MRPA members.

Education and Training
MRPA hosts workshops and conferences that are the leading sources of quality educational opportunities in the parks and recreation profession. MRPA’s Annual Conference and Exhibit Hall is held each autumn.

Public Policy
Members receive legislative representation and information. MRPA supports statewide initiatives involving parks, recreation, and open space.

Communication
Member agency, and their board and commission members, receive MRPA’s quarterly member magazine.

Job Postings
Members receive reduced rates for posting a job position through MRPA.

Member Discounts
Members gain a discount on all individual professional membership fees within the agency. Members receive reduced rates for educational training, conferences, and workshops.

Recognition and Awards Program
MRPA recognizes outstanding professionals and projects through its annual membership awards program.

Resources
Members gain access to the online membership directory, vendor guide, and resource library.

Option to Add Contributing Members

Having an agency membership allows organizations to add contributing members to their list. Contributing members pay $45 and must be either front-line staff, part-time or seasonal employees. They still receive MRPA communication and educational opportunities, but do not have voting privileges.

Click for Agency Membership Form 2023

Professional members joining under an agency receive a discount and pay $170 per member instead of the $300 for membership.

Click for Professional Membership Form 2023

Professional Membership

Benefits of Professional Membership:

Public Policy
Members receive legislative representation and information. MRPA supports statewide initiatives involving parks, recreation, and open space.

Communication
Members are mailed MRPA’s quarterly member magazine, Minnesota Recreation and Parks. It is also available to read online.
Informational updates are emailed to the professional and student membership.

Job Postings
Members receive job postings via MRPA’s email system and get reduced rates for posting a job position through MRPA.

Member Discounts
Members receive reduced rates for educational training, conferences, and workshops.

Recognition and Awards Program
MRPA recognizes outstanding professionals and projects through its annual membership awards program. Members are also highlighted in Minnesota Recreation and Parks magazine.

Recreational Sports Commission and State Tournaments
Members may sanction their sporting teams—softball, basketball, volleyball, and more—for MRPA post-season play. MRPA’s Recreational Sports Commission oversees the sporting event operations. MRPA is affiliated with United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA).

Resources
Members gain access to the membership directory as a PDF, receive the vendor guide, and additional resources.

Network Involvement
Members have the opportunity to become more involved in special interest areas. Click here to view the MRPA networks page.

Introductory Professional Membership Rate:
This special rate is available to park and recreation professionals joining MRPA for the first time. Special rate applied to the first year of membership – $170. Professional membership is $300 per year.

Click for Professional Membership Form 2023

Click here to register online

Corporate Membership

Benefits of Corporate Membership:

Member Discounts
Members receive the member rate and early notice for exhibition at conferences and workshops

Communication
Members are listed in MRPA’s quarterly member magazine, Minnesota Recreation and Parks which is both mailed to members and available to read online. Members are also listed on the MRPA website and in the biannual MRPA Corporate Buyer's Guide. Corporate members receive discounting advertising rates in both the magazine and Buyer's Guide. Members also receive two mailing lists (sets of labels) or two email blasts to members (coordinated with the MRPA office).

Resources
Members gain access to the online membership directory, vendor guide, and resource library.

Parks and Recreation Advocate
Members have the opportunity to play an active role in promoting the benefits of parks and recreation.

Section and Committee Involvement
Members have the opportunity to become more involved in sections and committees.

Corporate Membership Benefits
• Two mailing lists (sets of labels) or two e-mail blasts sent from the MRPA office
• Member discount for additional services
• Special exhibitor rates ($260 discount for MRPA Annual Conference Exhibit Hall booth compared to non-member rate)
• Listed in the quarterly Minnesota Recreation & Parks magazine mailed to nearly 900 members and allies and available online
• Listed in MRPA Buyer's Guide mailed to nearly 900 members and allies and available online (updated bi-annually).
• Receive quarterly magazine via mail and read online
• Receive member rates for advertising opportunities
• Opportunities to be featured in one issue of magazine's CorporateConnections section
• Logo, listing and link on MRPA’s Corporate Membership Directory

The annual Corporate Membership rate is: $599.

To become a member online, click here.

Click here to download and complete the corporate membership form.

Retiree Membership

Retired MRPA members receive a complimentary membership which includes invitations to retiree events, a mailed copy of each Minnesota Recreation and Parks magazine, as well as email updates from the MRPA office. For more information about Retiree Membership, contact Michelle Snider at 763.571.1305 x100 or snider@mnrpa.org.

Student Membership

Student members are full-time graduate or undergraduate students pursuing a degree in parks, recreation or leisure services fields at any accredited university, community college or vocational school. Student membership is a great way to meet other students and parks and recreation professionals. Make valuable contact with those that can help support your career goals.

Student Members receive:
• Information on job openings
• Network meeting and activity notices
• Reduced fees for MRPA annual conferences, continuing education institutes, and workshops
• Opportunities to network with professionals

The annual student membership rate is: $10.

Click here to download and complete the Student Membership form.