In This Issue...

Summer Spectacular
Brighten Your Future
June Recap
WRPA Risk Management School
NRPA Conference
Members Who are Heatin' Up
We Want Your News!
Recent Job Postings
Calendar of Events
Volunteer Opportunities
Sponsor Recognition

Summer Spectacular

How Do You Recreate?

Mercer Island Parks & Recreation is beating the sun’s rays with their stunner shades! What is your team doing to prepare for summer festivities?

How DO YOU recreate? Submit your photo to [email protected].

Brighten Your Future

Spotlight Professional in Parks & Recreation

Robin Pittman was recently hired as Manson Parks & Recreation District Director and gives these words of advice to young professionals:

“CARE. If you always care about what you’re doing, you will always do your best and provide the best product you can. You don’t have to be perfect. If you care about the people you serve and the parks and recreation facilities you maintain, everything else will fall into place.”

Read more about Robin Pittman’s journey to becoming a Parks & Recreation professional.

June Recap

Successful Aquatic Skill Builder

Thank you to the City of Renton for welcoming 81 participants from 15 different agencies for the June 17^th WRPA Aquatics Skill Builder training.

A message from Brandi Burke, Aquatic Network Chair:

“Thank you everyone that joined us June 17^th for the Aquatic Skill Builder and a big thank you to Pete DeQuincy for spending the day with us.

The goal for the day was for us all to get a few takeaways that we can use when training our teams so that we can all be better and continue to serve our communities while keeping them safe. It made me very proud to see so many young aquatic professionals taking their jobs so seriously and watching your genuine desire to become better and grow, not only for yourself but for your teams...! I definitely had a great time.

The atmosphere of learning and camaraderie served to invigorate my desire to teach and prop up our up and coming staff and gave me some new points of view on how to do that. Pete, thank you for sharing your unique style of teaching… and for giving us lots to steal from when we get back home.”

Successful Field Allocation Symposium

Thank you to the City of Kirkland for welcoming 40 participants from all over the state for the June 15^th Field Allocation Symposium. The panel consisted of ball field schedulers from Redmond, King County, Bellevue, and Seattle. Topics discussed were, required paperwork to request fields, what user groups get priority and social equity to different sports or users, fee structures, policies and guidelines, and returning fields that were requested but won’t be used.

A message from Shawna Davis, City of Kirkland:

“The subject feels like something that could easily be a Pre-Conference for WRPA, the conversation could have gone on for a few more hours. It might have been beneficial to break into small groups with organizations that were similar in size or had the same sort of fields to allocate to get some good tips to take away and apply. It would be great if we developed a network around this topic and could meet quarterly to discuss trends.”

WRPA Risk Management School

Submit Your Speaker Proposal Today!

Take part in this event! This is an exciting two-day program scheduled for January 24-25, 2018 at the Federal Way Community Center. The program will offer attendees the opportunity to earn continuing education credit while gaining invaluable insight into the latest trends and movements of the recreation and park industry.

Submit Your Speaker Proposal Today!

Here are just a few of the topics we encourage speakers to address:

Crisis Communications: Media, Participants, and Families
Risky Recreation: Dog Parks, Skate Parks, and Off-Road Bike Courses
Homelessness: Homeless Youth in Recreation
LGBTQ Community: Inclusive Programs and Restrooms & Facilities
Active Shooter Risks
Marijuana & Vaping: Enforcement Laws and Bans
Background Check: Working with Minors
Pre-Op Checklists: Vans, Buses and Machinery Equipment
Aquatic Safety

2017 NRPA Conference In New Orleans

Meet up with fellow regional professionals at the 2017 National Conference!

Bring a little piece of home with you to New Orleans.

Northwest Playground Equipment and WRPA are hosting a Pacific Northwest Social at The Rusty Nail in New Orleans. After enjoying the NRPA Conference, join us for a fun and casual night of games and networking on Wednesday, September 27th.

Members Who Are Heatin' Up

Bob Leonard, City of Everett Parks and Community Services Assistant Director — previously with Snohomish County Parks.
Carrie Nass, City of Renton Neighborhoods, Resources and Events Manager — previously Hope Heart Institute Director of Programs.
Charlene Anderson, City of Everett promoted to Parks and Community Services Financial Projects Coordinator — previously Financial Analyst.
Clay Lindsey, City of Walla Walla Recreation Coordinator Athletics — previously with Swire Coca-Cola.
Cody O'Connor, City of Longview Recreation Specialist Sports & Fitness — previously Recreation Specialist for Suncadia Resort.
Cory Rettenmier, City of Everett promoted to Parks and Community Services Manager — previously Recreation Coordinator.
Danielle Todorofff, City of Everett Parks and Community Services Administrative Assistant — previously with Everett School District.
Dave Johnson, City of Edmonds Deputy Director — previously City of Tukwila Parks & Recreation Manager.
Debbie Little, City of Renton promoted to Recreation Supervisor — previously Recreation Coordinator.
Holly Harvey, City of Mill Creek Communications and Marketing Coordinator — previously CRISTA Ministries Communications Coordinator.
Lisa Echert, City of Issaquah Recreation Leader — previously part-time staff for Cities of Bothell and Shoreline.
Lya Trammell, City of Longview promoted to Recreation Specialist — previously PT Front Office Representative.
Marvin Harris, City of Bellingham — retired January 2017 from as Parks & Recreation Operations Manager.
Maryjane Van Cleave, City of Renton promoted to Recreation Director — previously Recreation Manager.
Michael Bumgardner, City of Walla Walla Recreation Coordinator Aquatics — previously with YMCA.
Robin Pittman, Manson Parks & Recreation District promoted to Director — previously Interim Director.
Shelby Krogh, City of Kenmore Volunteer and Events Supervisor — previously Events and Programs Specialist at Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
Steve Janiszewski, City of Bellingham Parks & Recreation Operations Manager — previously with Oregon State Parks.

Did we forget someone? Are you a "Member on the Move?" Email us [email protected].

We Want Your News!

Do you have news to share with your WRPA colleagues? Send any updates, photos, happenings, and socials to WRPA, so that we can feature your article in the next WRPAToday e-newsletter!

Send Us Your News Now!

Recent Job Postings

See what new opportunities await you in the field of recreation and parks by checking out WRPA's Job Board!

Visit the WRPA Career Center Today!

Calendar of Events
Date:	Event:	Location:
September 26-28, 2017	2017 NRPA Annual Conference	New Orleans, LA
September 26, 2017	NRPA Conference WA Member Meet-Up	The Rusty Nail New Orleans, LA
November 28, 2017	Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course	Floral Hall - Everett, WA
January 24-25, 2018	Risk Management School	Federal Way Community Center

WRPA Volunteer Opportunities

Thank You, Sponsors!

Why We Need You!

WRPA is membership-driven. We achieve only what we ourselves commit to doing. By sharing your energy and expertise you will make WRPA an even more effective professional resource.

In fact, without you, we would not be able to offer any programs! Consider volunteering and helping our organization grow. Learn more about the opportunities about opportunities that have recently become available!