Upcoming Events
How often do you experience a sustainably designed, environmentally forward landscape in your daily routine? Join our presenters as they share their expertise on sustainable, native Florida landscapes. They will share opportunities and constraints in utilizing native plantings along with three key initiatives being developed by the City of Groveland.
Additional Course Information:
Speaker: Andrew Landis is the Conservation & Strategic Initiatives Division Manager at the City of Groveland, Florida and an Adjunct Professor of Environmental Studies at Rollins College in Winter Park. The Conservation Division works across city departments to foster sustainable native landscapes in Groveland, known as the City with Natural Charm. Downtown blocks have been revitalized and showcase native trees and plants. A wildflower rain garden has been installed at historic Lake David Park to help filter stormwater. Working with partners Dix.Hite, Cherrylake, Green Isle Gardens, Life Soils, and the Florida Wildflower Foundation, the city is pursuing native landscapes along state roadways. A complete rewrite of Groveland’s landscape code prioritizes tree preservation, water conservation, reduced sod coverage, native plants, and soil amendments.
Stacey Matrazzo joined the Florida Wildflower Foundation in 2015 as its program manager. Before that, she worked for the Foundation for several years as a contractor. She is the co-author of Native Plants for Florida Gardens, which she wrote with botanist/restoration ecologist Nancy Bissett. Stacey is an environmental educator with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and a master’s degree in liberal studies from Rollins College, where she is also an adjunct professor. A native Floridian and certified Florida Master Naturalist, she spends much of her free time kayaking, hiking, birding and photographing Florida’s amazing natural environments.
A registered landscape architect in the State of Florida, Kody Smith serves as CEO of Dix.Hite + Partners and has lived and practiced in Central Florida since 2008. Kody’s intense respect and passion for the environment and culture of the places he designs is recognized by his teammates, colleagues, and clients, informing his approach and promising excellence in his finished work. His focus on parks, large-scale master-planning projects, and urban design stems from this passion for people, culture, and the power of shared environments. Kody works to transform the perspectives surrounding Florida’s landscapes by demonstrating all that its natural ecologies have to offer. His knack for transforming an existing space into something new, special, and usable shines through with each passing project.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the KRPA office at 785-235-6533 or jamie@krpa.org.
KRPA Event Policy:
No Refunds: Please note that all registrations are non-refundable. We regret that we cannot offer refunds for any cancellations.
Substitutions: We do allow substitutions. If you are unable to attend the event, you may transfer your registration to another person. Please notify us of any substitutions at least 48 hours prior to the event.
Registration Fees: All registration fees must be paid in full within 30 days of registration. Failure to pay within this timeframe may result in the cancellation of your registration.
Commercial Vendor Workshop Attendance
The Kansas Recreation and Parks Association (KRPA) values the contributions and engagement of our commercial partners. To maintain a professional environment that supports both educational and networking opportunities for our members and sponsors, KRPA has established the following policy regarding commercial vendors attending workshops and events:
Policy Overview: Commercial vendors may not register or participate as general workshop attendees unless they are sponsoring the specific event in question. This policy ensures that the presence of commercial entities at KRPA events is aligned with their purpose of networking and building relationships within a professional context, while respecting the intent of these events as learning opportunities for non-commercial attendees.
Commercial Vendor Definition: According to the KRPA bylaws Commercial Vendor is defined as: Individuals, organizations, companies, or business firms selling products or services to recreation, park, conservation, and leisure service agencies.
Exclusions: Commercial vendors may register and participate in these certification programs as general attendees. These courses are designed to provide specialized training and a certification from the National Recreation and Park Association. We understand the need of vendors may have to receive these certifications.
Managing challenging situations in youth sports is key to ensuring a positive experience. This interactive session teaches effective communication, crucial conversations, and strategies for handling difficult people, helping create a better environment for coaches, athletes, and parents. Attendees will gain valuable skills to manage the athletic triangle successfully.
Speaker: Chris Stevenson, an accomplished speaker with a global footprint, has presented dynamic sessions in over a dozen countries and over half of the 50 states. As a former Power Ranger stuntman and founder of The Empower Group, Chris draws from 20 years of experience owning and operating successful health clubs, consistently achieving industry-leading net promoter scores. His expertise lies in leadership, communication, employee engagement, and customer service, making him a sought-after authority in various industries, such as parks and recreation, fitness business, indoor rock climbing, and more. Beyond his business acumen, Chris has served as a board and committee member and published author, contributing to his holistic perspective on industry dynamics. Chris has the unique ability to connect with people instantaneously and to present applicable lectures that resonate with every audience.
The Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) Course is a 2-day training program designed to meet the needs of those working in public and semi-public recreational pool or water park facilities. The AFO Course offers unique discussions on risk management and pool management as well as training in proper water chemistry, water chemistry challenges and solutions.
The current Aquatic Facility Operators Manual will be sent to each full course registrant prior to the course.
Upon successful completion of the AFO Course and 50 question open book exam, participants will be certified for 5 years by the National Certification Board in coordination with the National Recreation and Park Association. Who Should Attend: Aquatic Directors, Recreation Directors, Water Park Directors, Pool Managers, Aquatic Supervisors, Resort/Hotel/Motel Staff, and any staff member responsible for the operation, maintenance and management of an aquatic facility.
Sponsored by:
Location: Seasons Venue, OJ Watson Park
Check-in begins at 7:45 A.M
Individuals taking the CPSI Classroom Course will gain practical, hands-on training on how to apply the ASTM standards and the CPSC guidelines to playground environments. Course participants will learn how to identify hazards on public playgrounds and playground equipment, how to rank hazards according to injury potential and how to apply that knowledge and establish a playground safety program.
The CPSI course materials that must be read in advance will be mailed to the course registrants 4 weeks prior to the course. Course materials are not provided to those that register for the CPSI Exam only.
Please access the CPSI Candidate Handbook (Paper & Pencil Testing) on the CPSI Material and Resources page to review critical information regarding completing the course/examination. The handbook contains detailed information on requesting Special Accommodations, English as a Second Language accommodations, how to access Latin-American Spanish materials and day-of examination policies (wearable technology policy, ID policy, etc.)
The option to take the CPSI exam via computer based testing is available through the NRPA. To obtain additional information please visit www.nrpa.org/cpsi. Please be advised if you register to take the examination with the course, you will not receive a refund to take your exam via computer based testing at a later date. Please decide now if you would like to take the exam on Day 3 of the course or via a Computer Based Exam at a later date.
This session is designed to assist recreation professionals increase community engagement through programs tailored to their community. We will walk through a sample program evaluation that will demonstrate ways to determine if a program is a good fit for a community and organization. Understanding the specific needs of our community alongside an agency’s vision will help foster community connection and contributes to the overall well-being of residents.
Speaker: LaToya L. Artis is a Recreation Manager with the City of Ocala responsible for the oversite of indoor programing for youth, adults, seniors, therapeutic recreation, outreach, and the departments transportation. LaToya fell in love with recreation 29 years ago as a recreation summer camp counselor in Linden, NJ during her college years. In 1999, LaToya graduated with her BS degree in Physical and Health education with a minor in Sports Management from Methodist College. After working for five years in the local school system, LaToya decided to seek employment working from home to raise her three children. In 2015, started working with Fayetteville Cumberland Parks and Recreation as Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor. LaToya oved to Florida in 2019 and started working with Ocala Recreation and Parks as Therapeutic and Senior Recreation Supervisor, quickly into her current position as Recreation Manager. LaToya is a line dance instructor and certified Xtreme Hip Hop Aerobics instructor.
Speaker: Formerly in education and childcare, Jacob Baker fell in love with recreation in 2012 for what he thought was a temporary job at a municipal aquatic center. He has worked in every area of recreation including aquatics, athletics, community events and outreach. Currently, Jacob is a Recreation Manager for the City of Ocala supervising the operations of the Mary Sue Rich Community Center. As someone who’s directly benefitted from a culturally rich and multifaceted background, he’s aware of the challenges and opportunities faced by parks and recreation professionals as well as our clients.
The National Recreation and Park Association's Playground Maintenance Course is a one-day (6.25 hour) educational course that covers the following topics – an overview of playground safety standards and guidelines, playground owner responsibilities and maintenance discussions on playground equipment, surfacing and site items. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the Playground Maintenance Course.
Location: McLean and 27th St IB, Wichita, KS 67217
Instructor: Brian Anderson
Costs: $175 (Member), $205 (Non-member)
Who should Enroll? Professionals who should take the course include maintenance staff, recreation staff, university seniors and any individuals who are responsible for playgrounds.
Eligibility: Course participants must be 18 years of age or older.
Join fellow parks and recreation professionals from your region for a day of learning, networking, and actionable strategies to elevate your agency’s influence. This symposium is designed to help you:
Earn 0.3 CEUs – Enhance your professional development with expert-led discussions, statewide knowledge sharing, and valuable networking opportunities.
Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Dr Lawrence, KS 66049
This class covers Florida landscaping basics with a focus on prevention, and cultural controls of plant problems. Topics include water quality, plant selection, proper planting depth, pruning, turf maintenance, and more. The class will also introduce a new landscaping book with side-by-side English and Spanish information to those in attendance. THIS SESSION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AFTER THE LIVE VIEWING.
Speaker: Hannah Eason, UF/IFAS Extension Agent of Commercial Horticulture in Orange County, provides education to support a vibrant green industry and a sustainable food system. Her trainings and partnerships promote environmental stewardship through integrated pest management and urban farming education, with an emphasis on hydroponics. Through strategic scientific communication, Hannah aims to cultivate beautiful, sustainable landscapes across Central Florida. With over 10 years of experience as a professional horticulturist, including 5 years with UF/IFAS Extension, she holds a BS in Landscape and Nursery Horticulture and earned her MS in Agroecology from UF in Summer 2021.
Speaker: Dr. Morgan Pinkerton, DPM, is the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Agent with UF/IFAS Extension in Seminole County. She joined Extension in 2020, working locally with farmers, farm workers, and licensed pesticide applicators to enhance the sustainability of their operations. Dr. Pinkerton specializes in integrated pest management, pesticide use, and best management practices for farm and landscape maintenance. She is a graduate of the University of Florida’s Doctor of Plant Medicine program, which provided extensive interdisciplinary and hands-on training in plant science and diagnostics. She also holds a master’s degree in entomology, with research focused on invasive species in Florida and educating youth on plant biosecurity topics.
KRPA Micro-Certification: Relational Leadership
The KRPA Micro-Certification in Relational Leadership is an eight-month program designed to provide weekly micro-tasks that help participants build and apply relational leadership skills in a structured, continuous way. By completing small, intentional tasks each week, participants will see real progress in their ability to engage communities, communicate effectively, and foster meaningful professional relationships.
Includes: CEUs
This program is designed for busy professionals who want steady growth without a significant time commitment. Each month, participants will focus on key leadership skills, including topics:
Competency and inclusivity in leadership
Applying leadership principles in real-world scenarios
Learn more at https://krpa.org/micro-certification/
Additional Course Information: KRPA Office, 798 N. 1415 Rd. Lawrence, KS
Payment Onions:
We accept credit card payments online (VISA, MasterCard, Discover Card).
Questions about the workshop?
Contact Jende Smith, jsmith37@missouriwestern.edu
Questions about online registration?
Contact Jamie Reed at jamie@krpa.org
Online Check-in begins at 7:45 A.M
Additional Course Information: TBD
Explore effective needs assessment tools, discover engagement strategies, and collaborate on creative programming ideas for teens. This session will equip recreational professionals to design impactful, inclusive programs that inspire and empower young people in their communities. Join us for an innovative journey!
Speaker:
Tierro Hampton is a committed recreation professional with over ten years of experience in various roles. Her passion for recreation drives her commitment to enhancing community well-being through innovative, teen-focused programming and diverse senior initiatives with the City of Plantation. With a strong focus on senior programming, Tierro designs activities that foster connection and engagement among older adults. As an emerging leader, she brings a unique combination of leadership and dedication, ensuring inclusive and engaging recreational opportunities for all. She proudly contributed to a dynamic team that received an award for innovative programming at the FRPA 2024 Conference, celebrating their collective efforts to make a meaningful impact in the community.
Anthony Thomas serves as a Superintendent of Recreation and Facility Services for the City of Plantation. Anthony is a dedicated leader in the parks and recreation field, known for his commitment to enhancing community engagement and access. With multiple degrees and certifications, including a CPRP designation, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Anthony's passion for learning drives him to continuously seek innovative ways to improve programs and services, particularly for underserved populations. He has successfully developed initiatives that promote inclusivity and wellbeing, ensuring that everyone in the community has the opportunity to thrive. Through collaborative leadership, Anthony is committed to fostering vibrant, resilient communities where every individual can enjoy the benefits of recreation.
