Meydenbauer Center • 11100 NE 6th St • Bellevue, WA 98004

Why Play...Unplugged?

Childhood obesity has become the latest health epidemic, and its impacts on community health and wellness are wide reaching.  Park and recreation professionals are on the front lines of the battle against the disease  We design and install playgrounds, build and maintain parks and trails, povide recreation programming, maintain and schedule athletic fields and facilities, and facilitate and promote environmental stewardship.  Play... Unplugged is all about focusing on opportunities for everyone in the community - from kids to seniors, and people of all ability levels - to be healthy and active in the parks and programs we manage.

Learn: over 50 educational sessions spread over four days.  Learn from some of the leading speakers in the parks and recreation profession.

Explore: meet vendors and see the hottest new products.

Network: re-connect with other professionals around the state

Daily Themes 

Don't have budget to attend the whole conference?  Special daily rates are available for the Pre- and Post-Institutes and the conference.

Tuesday, May 1 - Arts & Culture Pre-Institute

Our parks and recreation systems provide an important setting for cultural arts and heritage programs and experiences. These opportunities are vast: sculptures and art displays, theater in the park, music and arts festivals, and historic and interpretive experiences. Join us for an informative summit featuring guest lecturers on the topics of heritage and relevancy in today’s society, developing cultural arts experiences for your community, and building community through arts.

Students:  Join us Tuesday afternoon for a special student pre-institute!

Wednesday, May 2 - Parks, Environment, Sustainability

As populations boom and densities in urban areas increase, the pressure to provide green spaces and experiences continues to mount.  While parks and trails are important, public agencies are being called upon to be the leaders in environmental design.  It's no longer good enough to just build a park:  our focuses have shifted to improving water quality, sustainable building practices, and wildlife-friendly designs.

Thursday, May 3  - Play, Recreation, Wellness

Childhood obesity.  Nature Deficit Disorder.  Youth diabetes.  We've all heard the studies about how Americans are leading an increasingly unhealthy lifestyle.  Learn how to design facilities, create programming, and think outside of the box when enhancing your community's ability to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.  Sponsored by PlayCreation.

Friday, May 4  - Leadership & Management Post-Institute

Remaining flexible in the current economic environment has proven to be a survival strategy for many park and recreation agencies.  Learn about how to re-evaluate your community's priorities, shift programming, and increase your organization's efficienty.  Lead your organization to a new position of strength and innovation by adapting to and embracing change, rather than retreating to your comfort zone.

About Bellevue

Bellevue is the fifth largest city in Washington, with a population of more than 122,000. It is the high-tech and retail center of the Eastside, with more than 140,000 jobs and a skyline of gleaming high-rises.  While business booms downtown, much of Bellevue retains a small-town feel, with thriving, woodsy neighborhoods and a vast network of green spaces and recreational facilities that keep people calling the place "a city in a park."  Visit Bellevue, Washington.