Member News

MRPA, in partnership with Minnesota Pickleball, will host the Minnesota State Pickleball Tournament September 11-13 in Maple Grove.

MRPA asks members for their help in promoting the tournament by printing the flyer and placing at your pickleball courts. Thank you in advance for your help!

Click here to download the flyer.

MRPA / MN-USSSA softball tournaments have been led by MRPA member and Tournament Director Lacelle Cordes since 2018. Lacelle recently shared her retirement plans from this position after the 2025 season. Therefore, MRPA / MN-USSSA is posting a Letter of Intent for those interested in applying for the position.

Click here for the file.

Please share this information with those who may be interested in the position. Thank you!

Welcome to MRPA On the Air - a podcast for Minnesota Recreation and Park Association members and friends.

Artificial Intelligence

Hosts Meredith and Reed chat with Ryan Hegreness, a senior consultant for BerryDunn, McNeil and Parker LLC, about artificial intelligence.  

MRPA is grateful to Landscape Structures and Flagship Recreation for their sponsorship of the podcast!

July is Park and Recreation Month

Park and Recreation Month was launched in 1985 through National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). This year marks the 40th anniversary of Park and Recreation Month.

The 2025 theme, “Build Together, Play Together,” is a reminder of the contributions of more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals — along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers — who build sustainable spaces for all to connect and play.

Whether you’re hosting programs, events, contests or commemorations, celebrate with park and recreation agencies nationwide!

Visit NRPA's website for the toolkit: https://bit.ly/4nrxdmX

MRPA Annual Conference 2025
October 27 - 30, 2025
Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center
Brooklyn Center, MN 

Get ready to cultivate connections and grow professionally at the MRPA Annual Conference. Join us as we explore how to deepen our roots in community and foster growth within our parks and recreation world.

Click here to view and download the conference guide and registration

Print and mail in the form (preferred option):
MRPA Office
200 Charles Street NE
Fridley, MN 55432

To register online:

Click here for the MRPA member rate

Click here for the Maintenance Rodeo

Click here for the non-member registration. Interested in joining MRPA and attending as a member? Visit mnrpa.org/Join-MRPA!

Volunteering at the Conference

We’re looking for helping hands for everything from social events and logistics to room hosting and check-in. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, volunteering is a great way to give back, get involved, and connect with others in the parks and recreation community. Everyone is welcome - come grow with us!

Click here to fill out the registration form

MRPA On the Air is back for another exciting season! Your hosts Meredith and Reed will bring you in-depth discussions on all things parks and recreation across the state of Minnesota, including the most up-to-date MRPA association news.

This season your hosts aim to cover a variety of topics including trends, professional development and program development/management. Whether you are a seasoned park and recreation professional, student exploring career options in the field or somewhere in between, MRPA on the Air offers valuable information and engaging discussions about our field.

New Episode - Young Professional & Student Network

Hosts Meredith and Reed talk with Maddie Margo from the City of Mounds View about the Young Professional and Student Network.

MRPA is grateful to Landscape Structures and Flagship Recreation for their sponsorship of the podcast!

We’d love for you to join us on Tuesday, April 29 from 10:30am–3:30pm for MRPA’s Day on the Hill at the Minnesota State Capitol’s Upper Mall (75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. S), in partnership with Three Rivers Park District. Link for parking instructions

Click here for the flyer

We’ll have a table on the Upper Mall (in partnership with Three Rivers Park District), so stop by, bring a colleague, wear your department gear, and maybe even take a Capitol tour while you're there! 

MRPA Annual Conference 2025
October 27 - 30, 2025
Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center
Brooklyn Center, MN 

The 2025 Conference Planning Committee is excited to bring to you the 2025 Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference. This year’s conference theme is Rooted in Community, Growing Together. The 2025 conference team is devoted to delivering a conference that will explore all aspects of parks and recreation.

One of the most important parts of any Conference Committee is the recruitment of high-quality speakers and engaging educational topics that will spark the interests of everyone in your organization. Please consider either submitting a proposal or forwarding a proposal to a person that may be interested in sharing their talents.

To submit an Educational Session Proposal please visit: ­­­­­
https://form.jotform.com/250054492458156

The deadline for Educational Session Proposals is Friday, March 28, 2025.  

If you have questions, the Conference Committee members would be happy to assist you:

Carrie Anderson, Conference Committee Co-Chair                                                      
carrie.anderson@cityofroseville.com

Greg Simmons, Conference Committee Co-Chair
gsimmons@goldenvalleymn.gov

Aaron Thelen, Program Committee Co-Chair  
athelen@newhopemn.gov

Paul Pearson, Program Committee Co-Chair
ppearson@plymouthmn.gov