VRPS: Virginia Recreation & Park Society

10/09/2026

10/02/2026

Small agencies. Big impact.

Virginia leadership took the national stage! Emmy Richards, CPRP, Ashland’s Parks & Recreation Director, shared her leadership journey during the Day 2 General Session at the NRPA Annual Conference—giving VRPS a shout-out along the way and making space for small agencies doing big work.

Following the National Gold Medal Awards presentation, “The Power of Leadership,” hosted by NRPA Board Chair Dr. Joshua T. Medeiros, CPRE, featured six park and recreation professionals sharing how they inspire change in their teams, agencies, communities and beyond.

We’re proud to see Emmy represent Virginia and celebrate the relationships, resourcefulness and leadership that help small agencies make a lasting impact. Thank you, Emmy, for bringing their voices to the main stage! 💚

09/24/2026

Your VRPS adventure can start before the conference sessions begin!

On Sunday, October 25, choose a pre-conference tour that takes you into the Richmond places and projects shaping parks and recreation:

🏢 Community Centers: See how recreation facilities can also serve as neighborhood gathering places and resilience hubs.
🌿 Pine Camp: Explore the connections among nature, therapeutic recreation, and the arts.
🏛️ Evergreen Cemetery: Learn about community preservation and volunteer stewardship.
🌊 Pump House & Canal: Discover Richmond’s riverfront history and recreation development.

Pick the adventure that speaks to your work and add it when you register for the 2026 VRPS Annual Conference: https://www.vaparks.org/events/vrps-2026-annual-conference.

09/23/2026

Two inspiring voices. One unforgettable conference.

The 2026 VRPS Annual Conference will open and close with two engaging speakers ready to challenge, energize and inspire!

Opening Keynote: Annie Frisoli
“Adventure Leadership: Blazing Trails and Building Legacy”
Monday, October 26 | 9:00–11:00 a.m.

Closing Speaker: Jordana Cole
“Jumping Into the Unknown: Lessons from Improv to Help Us Thrive”
Wednesday, October 28 | 10:30–11:45 a.m.

From navigating change with courage to building adaptability, collaboration and confident leadership, these sessions will help you begin—and end—your conference adventure inspired and ready for what comes next.

📍 Greater Richmond Convention Center
📅 October 25–28, 2026

Choose your adventure and register today: https://www.vaparks.org/events/vrps-2026-annual-conference

09/15/2026

How did your summer really go? ☀️

Join the VRPS Young Professional Network for "Summer Debrief: What Worked, What Didn’t & What’s Next?" We’re making space for an honest conversation about the wins, the tough moments and what we’d do differently next year.

From staffing and participation to safety, communication and facilities, bring the lessons you learned—and the questions you’re still working through. Whether you had your smoothest summer yet or you’re just glad you survived it, you’ll find fellow professionals ready to compare notes and share ideas.

Registration closes September 17!

📅 September 24 at 2:00 p.m.
💻 Virtual; Zoom link provided after registration

Come as you are. Let’s learn from this summer together.

09/15/2026

Northern Service Area professionals: Let’s connect and communicate!

Join us at the WARF for Connect & Communicate: NSA’s Fall Business Meeting & Workshops—an afternoon filled with learning, networking and practical ideas you can bring back to your agency.

📅 Tuesday, October 6
⏰ 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
📍 Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility

The afternoon will include:

💬 A panel on internal and external communication best practices
🥪 Lunch and the NSA Business Meeting
✅ A workshop on turning CAPRA standards into everyday practice
👋 Networking with fellow parks and recreation professionals
🏊 A tour of the WARF

The event is eligible for 0.1 CEU. Add a CEU ticket when registering if you would like to receive credit.

Register today and join the conversation: https://www.vaparks.org/events/nsa-october-business-meeting

09/14/2026

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with VRPS!

Join the VRPS Central Service Area at Chesterfield Outdoor Fest for an afternoon of outdoor adventure, connection and fun at Pocahontas State Park!

📅 Saturday, September 26
⏰ Noon–5:00 p.m.
📍 Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield
🎟️ FREE ADMISSION—no registration required!

Meet us at the Visitor Center at noon, then grab lunch from the onsite food trucks and explore the festival together. Enjoy a cave simulator, BMX and dog-jumping demonstrations and much more!

Bring bug spray, sunscreen and clothing appropriate for the weather.

Learn more: https://www.chesterfield.gov/5983/Outdoor-Fest

09/14/2026

Join VRPS’s Therapeutic Recreation Resource Group for a virtual TR Summer Camp Wrap-Up! Come ready to exchange ideas with fellow TRprofessionals and talk candidly about your experience with this summer’s Therapeutic Recreation programs.

📅 Tuesday, September 29
⏰ 11:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
💻 Online via Zoom

Register today: https://www.vaparks.org/events/-tr-summer-camp-wrap-up-what-worked-and-what-didnt

08/28/2026

A great day of learning, exploring, and connecting at Hoover Ridge Park! 🌳

Members of the VRPS Western Service Area gathered in Madison yesterday for a firsthand look at Hoover Ridge Park and the new Hoover Ridge Outdoor Recreation Center. Participants toured the park’s exciting amenities, exchanged ideas, and enjoyed time connecting with fellow parks and recreation professionals from across the region.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to the Hoover Ridge Park team for sharing your work and welcoming our group. A special thank-you to Sparks at Play for generously sponsoring lunch!