OPRA Changing Lives One Playground at a Time Statewide Funding and Training Initiative
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (PRWEB) October 04, 2018 -- Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA), PlayCore and GameTime are aligning resources and strategically partnering to promote best practices in parks and recreation, provide quality education, and arm communities with evidence-based resources.
Parks are essential to creating healthier, happier societies across generations. Complimentary professional development events will be hosted on October 23 – 30 in multiple cities across the state of Ohio. This interactive education symposium will help participants effectively fuel their community’s passion for play and recreation and empower stakeholders to become champions for high quality outdoor play and recreation environments that meet the diverse needs of children, families, and communities.
Attendees will be inspired by unique design and program innovations, leadership case examples, and strategies to creatively consider the needs and goals of community stakeholders. The content and hands-on learning activities will equip participants in developing strong advocacy messages of how investing in parks and recreation has a positive impact on building viable communities through physical activity, inclusive play, engagement with nature, and play value in a collaborative effort to improve the quality of life in communities across Ohio.
Learning Objectives:
- Develop advocacy messages describing why play and recreation is essential to a healthier and happier society.
- Apply research-based design best practices to create high-quality outdoor play and recreation destinations.
- Discuss model projects, positive community outcomes, and the benefits of inclusion, physical activity, and nature engagement.
PlayCore's Center for Outreach, Research & Education is providing statewide professional development services and GameTime will provide up to $1.5 million in matching funds to assist parks in the OPRA districts to create play and recreation destinations that have been thoroughly reviewed to align with research-based best practices. These projects will serve as National Demonstration Sites (NDS) and serve as national models for promoting physical activity, fitness, nature engagement, and inclusion.
Each city's local parks and recreation organization hosted the symposiums designed for mid to upper level professionals in the fields of park and recreation, landscape architecture, and education. The sessions will offer Continuing Education Units for professionals and promise to be lively, informative, and educational. Lunch and educational resources will be provided by GameTime and DWA Recreation.
To learn more about this partnership and ways to attend the events, please visit: https://www.playcore.com/events/opra-statewide-events
About PlayCore:
PlayCore is a purpose driven Company committed to building stronger communities around the world by advancing play and recreation. The company infuses scholarly learning, through its Center for Outreach, Research, and Education, into its comprehensive family of brands. PlayCore combines best-in-class educational programming with the most comprehensive portfolio of play and recreation products and services to create tailored solutions that match the unique needs of each community served. Learn more at http://www.playcore.com.
About GameTime
GameTime is a leading manufacturer of commercial playgrounds, custom play spaces and
outdoor fitness equipment. Headquartered in Fort Payne, Alabama, and with distribution around the world, GameTime has been dedicated to enriching childhood through play since our founding in 1929, and we work with community partners to demonstrate Play Has No Limit®. Learn more at http://www.gametime.com.
About OPRA:
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association is a non-profit, public interest organization representing nearly 1900 professionals and citizen board members striving to provide quality park and recreational facilities and opportunities for all Ohioans while protecting and preserving Ohio’s natural resources. Ohio has become known as a trend setter in the nation with parks and recreation often singled out for national test markets and pilot programs. Learn more at https://opraonline.org/
Anne-Marie Spencer, PlayCore, http://www.playcore.com, +1 877-762-7563, [email protected]
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