Home Education Join MPRA Legislative Action MPRA EVENTS MPRA CAREER CENTER MPRA MEMBERSHIP EDUCATION & EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS: ​ September 25-26, 2023 | Maryville, MO AFO Course ​ September 21, 2023 | TBD Region 3 Meeting October 10-12, 2023 | Dallas, TX NRPA Conference ​ October 25-26, 2023 | Liberty, MO MPRA/KRPA Executive Forum ​ November 7-9, 2023 | Independence, MO CPSI Course ​ November 16, 2023 | Ferguson, MO Region 4 Conference ​ March 5-8, 2024 | St. Charles, MO 2024 MPRA Conference & Expo ​ ​ CONFERENCE CPSI AFO LDI EF CPRP CPRE Education Join MPRA MPRA MEMBERSHIP JOIN NOW Agency Membership Any public agency on the municipal, county, or state level providing parks and recreation services. Individual Membership Any full-time employee holding a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and/or a professional certification. Associate Membership Individuals employed part-time, retired from the field, or not principally employed in the field who are interested in the advancement of parks and recreation. VIEW BENEFITS Corporate Membership Corporations, partnerships, and firms that support and encourage the purposes of the Association. Organizational Membership Academic institutions, military installations, hospitals, nonprofit agencies, and other organizations providing parks, recreation, and leisure services. Student Membership Individuals pursuing a degree in parks and recreation or a related field. 2224 Practitioners 113 Parks & Rec Agencies 36​ Partners 21 Students Legislative Action LEGISLATIVE ACTION Important Dates: 1/4/23 Session Begins 1/16/23 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday 2/20/23 Presidents Day Holiday 3/13 - 3/17 Spring Break 04/10/23 Easter Break 5/12/23 Session Ends Contacting your Legislators: List of Missouri Senators List of Missouri Representatives Sample Letter to Your Legislator Useful Links: 2023 MPRA Legislative Platform MPRA Legislative Brochure MO House of Representatives MO Senate US House of Representatives US Senate NRPA Advocacy Insider List of Communities with Parks & Storm Water Sales Tax ​ Leave behind

Featured Job Listings Featured Listings CAREER CENTER POST A JOB Jobs Recreation Supervisor Belleville, IL Posted: 5/12/23 Expires: 6/10 / 23 View More Director of Parks, Arts, & Recreation Grand Prairie, TX Posted: 5/22/23 Expires: 6 /19 / 23 View More Custodian Bridgeton, MO Posted: 6/8/23 Expires: 7/8 / 23 View More Recreation Supervisor - Aquatics Richmond Heights, MO Posted: 5/30/23 Expires: 7/31 / 23 View More Recreation Supervisor IA Arnold, MO Posted: 4/13/23 Expires: 6 /13 / 23 View More Assistant Athletics & Facilities Supervisor Clayton, MO Posted: 5/23/23 Expires: 6 /22 / 23 View More Park Specialist Clay County, MO Posted: 5/10/23 Expires: 7/10/ 23 View More Recreation Specialist - Aquatics Focus Ste. Genevieve Community Center, MO Posted: 5/3/23 Expires: 8 / 3 / 23 View More Parks Maintenance Worker II - Turf Manager St. Charles, MO Posted: 5/17/23 Expires: 6 /17 / 23 View More Aquatic Supervisor Perryville, MO Posted: 6/6/23 Expires: 6 /23 / 23 View More Recreation Assistant - Events/Marketing Eureka, MO Posted: 5/17/23 Expires: 7/17 / 23 View More Operations Coordinator Republic, MO Posted: 5/18/23 Expires: 6 /18 / 23 View More Bowling Center Manager - University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO Posted: 6/7/23 Expires: 7/1/ 23 View More Recreation Coordinator - Sports Joplin, MO Posted: 5/18/23 Expires: 7/18 / 23 View More Recreation Assistant - Programs Mirriam, KS Posted: 5/19/23 Expires: 6 /19 / 23 View More Recreation Manager - Special Events & Programs Wentzville, MO Posted: 6/7/23 Expires: 7/7 / 23 View More Senior Recreation Director Kansas City, MO Posted: 6/9 /23 Expires: 7/9 / 23 View More POST AN INTERNSHIP INTERNSHIPS Your Internship City, MO Posted: 3/3 /23 Expires: 5/30/23 View More Share Internships

MPRA Mentor Program The MPRA Mentor Program is a professional development program designed to bridge the gap between veteran members of the association and emerging new professionals, providing opportunities for the exchange of information, ideas, and resources between a Mentor and Mentee. Through a collaborative, mutually beneficial partnership, both Mentors and Mentees will gain new networking opportunities, unique experiences, and build a relationship to better the parks and recreation profession. For more information see the Application below. APPLICATION GUIDELINES

ESPECIALLY FOR MEMBERS Back to Home To see this working, head to your live site. Categories All Posts My Posts Login / Sign up MO Park & Rec Forums We invite you to explore the forums below. We hope you will find others with similar interests and advice to assist you! Create New Post Sports Forum Follow Views Posts 6 A place where sports professionals can share ideas, ask questions, and interact with others in the industry. Health & Wellness Forum Follow Views Posts 3 A place where health & wellness professionals can share ideas, ask questions, and interact with others in the industry. Day Camps Follow Views Posts 2 A place to share your ideas and ask questions of MPRA members for your Day Camps! New Professionals Forum Follow Views Posts 2 A place where new professionals can share ideas, ask questions, and interact with others in the industry. Aquatics Forum Follow Views Posts 1 A place where aquatics professionals can share ideas, ask questions, and interact with others in the industry. Park Resources Forum Follow Views Posts 5 A place where parks professionals can share ideas, ask questions, and interact with others in the industry. Programming & Marketing Follow Views Posts 8 A place where programming and marketing professionals can share ideas, ask questions, and interact. Forum - Frameless

MPRA Region 4 Conference 2023 Thursday, November 16, 2023 Registration Schedule Event Location Lodging Submit a Session Categories for Sessions: Upper Management Programming Park Resources Leadership ​ Session Proposal Deadline: August 1, 2023 @ 5:00pm Send proposals to: Katelyn Haniford: khaniford@fergusoncity.com Amy Hays: ahays@marylandheights.com Register REGISTRATION COMING SOON SCHEDULE Schedule COMING SOON LOCATION Lodging Ferguson Community Center 1050 Smith Ave Ferguson, MO 63135 Location LODGING COMING SOON Top of Page Register Schedule Lodging Location

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PROGRAM DETAILS REGISTRATION SCHEDULE SE PTEMBER 25-26, 2023 >> Maryville, MO < < The Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) program is a state-o f-the-art five-year certification for professionals managing and operating aquatic facilities. Individuals who obtain the AFO credential are knowledgeable in the systematic approach to pool operations including pool chemistry, management, pool safety, and risk reduction. Program Details To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. PROGRAM DETAILS PREPARATION You will receive your course materials approximately three weeks prior to the first day of the course. It is extremely important that you read the course materials prior to attending the class. Failure to study the materials before the course commonly leads to failure of the exam. CEU’s Earn 1.5 CEU’s while participating in this seminar. NRPA will forward you a transcript of your attendance 6-8 weeks after the course is finished. ​ COURSE & EXAM This course will take place virtually, over Zoom, with a live AFO instructor. At the end of the course, you will take the open-book exam from your computer. ​ CERTIFICATION You will receive a notification with your exam results at the completion of the exam directly from the instructor. If you pass the exam you will be certified as an AFO for a period of five years. At the end of your certification cycle, you can elect to attend the course again (recommended) or elect to take the exam only. Due to changes in regulations and content, it is highly recommended your repeat the coursework prior to renewing your certification. ​ QUESTIONS? Contact Sarah Veile at the Missouri Park & Recreation Association at sarah@mopark.org or by calling 573-636-3828. Registration REGISTRATION WHY SHOULD I ATTEND NRPA’s AFO program is a state-of-the-art educational training program for pool operations and management staff. The program is specifically designed to meet the needs of those working in public, semi-public, and municipal pools or waterparks, and to provide training and information for both supervisory and operations staff. The AFO instructor team is comprised of top aquatic professionals who have diverse backgrounds in aquatic facility operations and management. The instructors are consistently rated as excellent speakers and trainers by the AFO students. The AFO program creates better aquatic operators, who in turn make safer and increasingly efficient programs for aquatic venues. ​ MPRA Members are eligible for certification reimbursement. MORE DETAILS ​ MPRA Member Full Course $300 Non-Member Full Course $350 Exam Only MPRA Member $130 Exam Only Non-Member $155 ​ Registration will open in July. ONLINE REGISTRATION PAPER REG FORM PROGRAM DETAILS SCHEDULE Schedule Day 1: 8:00 am - Noon Welcome & Introduction, Foundation & Health Concerns, Circulation, Filters & Chemistry Noon - 1:00 pm Lunch 1:00 - 5:00 pm Breakpoint Chlorination, Stabilization & Balance, Dosages & Testing, Automation & Controls, Deck Equipment Day 2: 8:00 am - Noon Heaters & Heating, Disinfection, Spas & Special Pools, Design & Maintenance Noon - 1:00 pm Lunch 1:00 - 2:30 pm Human Resource Management, Programming, Fiscal Management 2:30 - 3:00 pm Exam Review Top of Page Program Details Registration Schedule

PROGRAM DETAILS HEALTH & SAFETY REGISTRATION SPONSORS LODGING November 7-9, 2023 >> Independence, MO << The Missouri Park & Recreation Association, in conjunction with the National Recreation and Park Association, offers the industry-leading certification program in playground safety, the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) certification program. The CPSI certification program provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date training on playground safety issues including hazard identification, equipment specifications, surfacing requirements, and risk management methods. Program Details PROGRAM DETAILS PREPARATION You will receive your course materials approximately three weeks prior to the first day of the course. It is extremely important that you read the course materials prior to attending the class. Failure to study the materials before the course commonly leads to failure of the exam. ​ CERTIFICATION You will receive a notification with your exam results 6-8 weeks after the exam directly from NRPA. If you pass the exam you will be certified as a CPSI Inspector for a period of three years. At the end of your certification cycle, you can elect to attend the course again (recommended) or elect to take the exam only. Due to changes in regulations and content, it is highly recommended your repeat the course work prior to renewing your certification. CEUs Earn 1.5 CEUs while participating in this seminar. Please be sure to sign the attendance roster for NRPA’s records before you leave the seminar. NRPA will forward you a transcript of your attendance 6-8 weeks after the course is finished. QUESTIONS? Contact Sarah Veile at the Missouri Park & Recreation Association at sarah@mopark.org or by calling 573-636-3828. Health & Safety HEALTH & SAFETY Participants of this course must: 1. Stay home if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or are showing symptoms. 2. Masks will only be required if the hosting county has more than 100 new cases per 100,000 persons within the seven days leading up to the course or exceeds the CDC’s High Transmission Risk rate. Registration REGISTRATION WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Administrators * Supervisory Personnel * Public Works Department * Planning Department * Grounds Maintenance Staff * Engineers & Architects * Playground Equipment Sales Reps * Operators of Playgrounds in: Parks, Schools, Summer Camps, Day Camps, Day Care Centers, Etc. Agencies such as: YMCA, YWCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, Park & Recreation Departments, Etc. MPRA Member Full Course $570 Non-Member Full Course $620 Exam Only MPRA Member $120 Exam Only Non-Member $145 ​ Registration will open in August. MPRA Members are eligible for certification reimbursement. MORE DETAILS PROGRAM DETAILS PAPER REG FORM ONLINE REGISTRATION CPSI HANDBOOK Lodging LODGING Recommended Hotel: Coming soon Sponsors THANK YOU, SPONSORS! Top of Page Program Details Health & Safety Registration Lodging Sponsors

MPRA SPECIAL PROGRAMS Scholarships Certification Reimbursements Ticket Consignment Splash Pass Missouri Trails Project Helpful Links and Resources NRPA Equity in Practice Resources Scholarships ​ Eligible applicants or the annual conference scholarship must be a full-time employee or board/commission member of an MPRA agency member or an individual professional member of MPRA. For 2023, MPRA will be awarding a full conference scholarship to four (4) MPRA members, including a full delegate pass to the MPRA Conference and Expo; 3 room nights; and a $100 food and gas stipend. ​ Scholarships have closed for the 2023 Conference & Expo. Check again later this year for 2024 opportunities! ​ ​ ​ Certification Reimbursements ​ MPRA may annually disburse the previous year's gains/contributions on the MPRA Education Fund, not to exceed $5,000. These funds will reimburse a full-time employee or board/commission member of an MPRA agency member, an individual professional member, orga nizational member, or student member of MPRA who successfully obtained or renewed a certification listed below (with priority going to new candidates). ​ Reimbursement s have closed for the 2023 Spring AFO and CPSI. Check again later this year for Fall 2023 and 2024 opportunit ies ! ​ Ticket Consignment ​ Discount amusement park tickets can be purchased at MPRA member parks and recreation departments across the state. The 2022 Ticket Consignment program has ended and the 2023 season will begin this Spring. Check back for more information. For more information on participating in this program, please contact the MPRA Office. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Splash Pass ​ The St. Louis area 2023 Splash Pass is a card that can be purchased for $50. ​A limited number of passes are available for purchase. Each Splash Pass card has two visit punches to each participating pool. The punches may be used by two different people. Splash Passes must be purchased in person (with cash) from the pools listed on the links below, but be sure to call the pool first to check availability! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Missouri Trails Project ​ With the recognition from American Trails as the Best Trails State in 2013 and 2014, we have set out on a mission to gather all of Missouri's trail data by working with trail managers and partners statewide to provide a comprehensive resource for Missourians and visitors to the Show-Me State. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Helpful Links and Resources ​ Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program - Deadline to Apply - November 16, 2022 and February 8, 2023 ​ Supporting Healthy Aging Through Parks and Recreation (SHAPR) ​ Grant and Fundraising Resources from NRPA ​ ​ Equity in Practice Resource Library ​ This library includes various types of resources such as recommended articles, books, technical resources, podcasts, videos, open-access webinars, and activities that support individual learning of equity concepts across park and recreation functions. Learn More Visit Resource Library Where To Buy Tickets / Participating Pools Scholorshps Certification Reimbursements Ticket Consignment Splash Pass Missouri Trails Project Helpful Links and Resources Equity in Practice Resource Library

ABOUT US On November 29, 1959 the Missouri Recreation Association and the Missouri Recreation and Park Society merged forming the Missouri Park and Recreation Association (MPRA). MPRA serves as the voice for parks and recreation in Missouri on the local, state and national level. The nonprofit association, whose members work to provide opportunities for all the state’s citizens to enjoy quality leisure activities, is dedicated to promoting public support for parks and recreation and public awareness of the contribution of recreation to a balanced life. The association works to ensure the growth and improve the quality and accessibility of urban and rural parks, open spaces and recreational lands, facilities and programs for all Missourians. It promotes research and information dissemination on park, conservation, recreation and leisure issues.​ By-Laws Manual of Procedures MPRA strives to maintain high standards of professional ethics and practices by promoting continuing education for its membership. The association encourages the support of college and university curricula to enhance research and assure a well-trained stream of future professionals. MPRA cooperates with public, private and voluntary agencies to assure provision of quality park, recreation, and conservation programs. MPRA is governed by a board of directors elected by the general membership. The association maintains a headquarters office with a full-time staff in Jefferson City. MPRA is an affiliate member of the National Recreation and Park Association. Our Mission... To advocate the quality of life through effective use of parks and recreation opportunities, education, and resources. Privacy Policy Refund Policy CONTACT US Contact Us Staff Gary Gates, CPRP Executive Director Sarah Veile, CPRP Assistant Executive Director Heather Rice Membership & Marketing Specialist Our Address Office Hours 2018 William Street Jefferson City, MO 65109 Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 4:30PM info@mopark.org \\ Tel: 573.636.3828 Thanks! Message sent. Send Board Leadership Executive Committee: President: Gabe Huffington , Columbia Parks & Rec Incoming President: Jeff Stubblefield , Maryville Parks & Rec Past President: Phil Stiles , JC Parks Secretary/Treasurer: Michael Biedenstein, NRPA Directors at Large: Tera Baker , (21-23) Bridgeton Parks & Rec Cassie Brandt , (21-23) Columbia Parks & Rec Alyssa Groeteke , (22-24) Wentzville Parks & Rec Rodney Sadler , (22-24) Kirksville Parks & Rec BJ Staab , (22 -24 ) Liberty Parks & Rec Northwest Region (1) Director : Jody Siemer , KC Parks Director-Elect (23-24): Brittany Johnston , Liberty Parks & Rec Past Director : Justin Merkey , Gladstone Parks & Rec Northeast Region (2) Director : Leslie Keeney , Moberly Parks & Rec Director-Elect (23-24): Seth Cooke , Mexico Parks & Rec Past Director : Joey Wilmes , Columbia Parks & Rec Southwest Region (3) Southeast Region (4) Director : Jill Simmons , Springfield-Greene County Park Board Director-Elect (23-24): Katie Buford , Nixa Parks & Rec Past Director : Heidi Johnson , Lamar Parks & Rec Director : Joseph Seastrom , Ferguson Parks & Rec Director-Elect (23-24): Amy Hays , Maryland Heights Parks & Rec Past Director : Mike Lueck , Wentzville Parks & Rec Sections: Aquatics Section President : Kayla Volker , St. Peters Parks & Rec President-Elect (23-24): Brandon Stortz , Midwest Pool Management Park Resources Section President : Jon Carney , Springfield-Greene County Park Board President-Elect (23-24): Vacant ​ [CEU Form] Jarvi Flyer Jarvi Categories Sports Section: President : Morgan Tangen , Grandview Parks & Rec President-Elect (23-24): Joey Wilmes , Columbia Parks & Rec ​ Young Professionals Section President : Brittanie Propes , Smithville Parks & Rec President-Elect (23-24): Katelyn Haniford , Ferguson Parks & Rec ​ ​ Link REGION MAP