Member News

Speaker Marie Knight will present the three c’s of a strong team on February 8 from noon - 1:15 p.m.  She with discuss elevating your team to a high performing team in order to create a culture that nurtures the progression. Marie is currently the owner of Knight Leadership Solutions - working with municipal agencies across the country to help them strengthen their greatest asset - their people.  This virtual workshop is in partnership with Florida Parks and Recreation Association.  Click here for further information

With COVID-19 cases spiking, as Omicron surges throughout Minnesota, and out of an abundance of caution, the MRPA Board has made the decision to POSTPONE the Hall of Fame Banquet scheduled for Friday, January 21, 2022.  We intend to reschedule this honorable event at a date TBD. Thanks for sharing this information with your softball contacts. MRPA  will be keeping you updated as information is determined.

MN-USSSA Softball Hall of Fame Banquet Rescheduled to March 25, 2022. Annual Awards Luncheon Rescheduled to April 1, 2022. Sincerely, MRPA Board of Directors

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has provided grant funding opportunities for park and trail projects across Minnesota. Applications are now being accepted for the following grant programs: outdoor recreation, natural and scenic area, regional trail, local trail connections and federal recreational trails.

These grants help local governments throughout the state create partnerships with the DNR to fund projects ranging from local parks, regional trails to trail connections. Eligibility requirements, deadlines, contact information and other details can be found on the DNR Web site at mndnr.gov or on the following program links:

Outdoor Recreation Grant Program

Natural and Scenic Area Program

Federal Recreational Trail Program

Regional Trail Grant Program

Local Trail Connections Grant Program

MRPA will honor the following outstanding parks and recreation professionals at the MRPA Professional Awards Ceremony in Apple Valley on January 14, 2022:  

CLIFTON E. FRENCH AWARD

Tom Schmitz, New Ulm

JACK NILES AWARD

Alex McKinney, Washington County

DOROTHEA NELSON AWARD

Marcia Larson, Bemidji

Becky Sola, Shoreview

HORIZON AWARD

Jenna Smith, Bloomington

BOARD AND COMMISSION AWARD

Thomas P. Anderson, Corcoran

Congratulations to the 2021 MRPA Professional Award recipients!

Congratulations to the following Board of Directors and Recreational Sports Commission (RSC) members:

2022 MRPA Board of Directors

President-Elect

Jerome Krieger, Blaine

Secretary

Annie Olson, Minneapolis

East Metro

Becky Sola, Shoreview

Andrew Pimental, Eagan

West Metro

Jason T. West, St. Louis Park

Mike Ramirez, Brooklyn Park

Southern

Joey Schugel, St. Peter

RSC

Courtney John, St. Paul (At-large)

Chris Morrow, Maple Grove (West Metro)

Jarod Meyer, Duluth (At-large, Greater MN) 

The Board of Directors will be sworn in at the Annual General Meeting and Award Luncheon on January 14, 2022 in Apple Valley, Minnesota.

The MRPA Mentorship Program is now taking applications for both mentors and mentees interested in being a part of a mentorship program. This is a program hosted by the Young Professional and Student Network to help park and recreation professionals and students grow professionally in the field through meaningful connections. Please submit the application by December 17, 2021.

Mentor Application

Mentee Application

Contact either John Stutzman JStutzman@goldenvalleymn.gov or

Meredith Lawrence mlawrence@mendotaheightsmn.gov with any questions.

Click here for the brochure.

The MRPA election for the Board of Directors and Recreational Sports Commission (RSC) begins this week. Click here to view the Board and RSC nominee profiles.  Thank you to all the nominees for the MRPA Board of Directors and RSC.

The 2021 MRPA Awards Committee is calling for Professional Award nominations to recognize individuals in six different categories: Clifton E. French, Dorothea Nelson, Jack Niles, Leadership, Horizon and Board and Commission Members. The nomination form is online this year and can be completed by clicking here. All nominations must be submitted by Wednesday, November 3.

2020 Professional Award Recipients
Left to right: JJ Williams, Chris Esser, Sandy Breuer, Jason West, Mark Oestreich, Chris Fleck, Nicole Gorman, and Nate Rosa; (Dale McCamish not pictured - unable to attend)

Thank you to all the sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, and delegates for attending the 84th MRPA Annual Conference and Exhibit Hall October 12-15 at the Earle Brown Center in Brooklyn Center.

To view photos from the Annual Conference, visit the MRPA Facebook page.

We look forward to the MRPA Annual Conference 2022 at Cragun's Resort and Conference Center in Brainerd the week of October 11-14.

Sincerely,

MRPA Annual Conference Committee