Iowa Parks & Recreation Association

06/10/2026

GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION MEETINGS
It is not too late to get signed up!
Please join us and supporters in your area to get involved and to get activated to FUND THE TRUST! Lunch/dinner is provided, please
kindly RSVP to attend the event in your part of the state.

06/09/2026

Governor Reynolds announced a new Executive Order on Monday supporting Iowa's natural resources and outdoor recreation efforts with the addition the Iowa Office of Outdoor Recreation as an extension of the Iowa Tourism Office, a division of the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
IPRA members Ryan Gourley, Burlington, and Kelly Johnson Rose, President & CEO, were in attendance for the announcement.

06/02/2026

June is Great Outdoors Month: a perfect time to get outside and reconnect with your wild side.

Family, friends and even pets can join in on the fun. What’s your favorite way to enjoy your public lands? Tell us in the comments.

(Forest Service photo.)

06/02/2026

Iowa Games celebrating 40 years! Register today: https://iowagames.org
https://youtu.be/qVFKQO5ZSoA?si=j1pVTFmUY2StYHxK

Make your mark and celebrate 40 years of sports and competition in ...

05/26/2026

By 2030, 20% of U.S. adults will be of retirement age. How can parks and recreation support their health and well-being?

A core factor that has been identified to promote healthy aging in older populations is engagement in sports and leisure-time physical activity.

Learn how you can leverage regional Senior Games to bolster active living among older adults: https://vist.ly/557a2

05/26/2026

Who is ready for the best month of the year? July is less than two months away and so is our huge celebration of all things parks and recreation. This year's theme, "The Power Of", allows for us to really gush about the field.

Want to get ready for Park and Recreation Month? Download the 2026 toolkit to access tons of resources for you and your agency! Check it out: nrpa.org/july

05/07/2026

Join us in Philadelphia this fall!

Want to learn about "The Power of Parks and Recreation" in Philadelphia this fall?

2026 NRPA Conference Scholarship is now open for applications!

Deadline to apply is June 19, 2026, at 12:00pm.

Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLTS5Y4K7LvraXfHFkiGLXyBwFrTZDR093JX-3ZyVx1h9LpQ/viewform

05/06/2026

For kids, green spaces offer freedom to run, imagine, and simply be children with no schedules and no screens, just open-ended play. For adults, they provide a chance to slow down, step away from daily stress, and enjoy the outdoors.

Moments like these don’t happen by accident. Park and recreation professionals make them possible every day by creating, maintaining, and protecting the spaces where communities can play, breathe, and connect.

05/06/2026

Last week, members of the ELN group gathered in North Liberty.
We enjoyed a presentation from Malory Smysor from Iowa City on de-escalation in customer service, followed by a roundtable discussion that focused on summer programming planning and tour of the rec center!

A big thank you to BCI Burke Playground Equipment and Creative Sites for sponsoring our ELN events and supporting continued learning and collaboration for IPRA members!