mParks Michigan Recreation and Park Association

10/21/2026

Meet the people helping move mParks forward. Our new Leadership Team Spotlight series will introduce you to our Leadership Team members, their career journeys, what inspires them to lead, and a few fun facts along the way.

First up: mParks President Kyle Langlois, CPRE, Director for Sterling Heights Parks & Recreation.

Kyle’s parks and recreation story began as a teenager working special events, including a favorite haunted house. Today, he’s helping guide mParks’ future and giving back to the professional community that has supported him throughout his career.

Get to know Kyle in his full spotlight: https://www.mparks.org/newsroom/leadership-team-spotlight-kyle-langlois-cpre-president

10/20/2026

Great programs start with good ideas. Making them stronger takes partnerships, planning, and knowing what’s working.

Join us for the mParks Programmers Workshop on Friday, November 13, in Mt. Pleasant for practical learning and conversation with fellow recreation professionals.

Explore how to:
🤝 Build partnerships that expand resources and opportunities.
📊 Use program evaluation to demonstrate impact and guide decisions.
📋 Strengthen emergency action planning.
💬 Exchange ideas during a programming roundtable.

Whether you’re growing your programming skills or bringing years of experience, leave with ideas you can put to work in your community.

📍 Mount Pleasant Parks & Recreation
💲 $60 members | $90 non-members
🎓 0.3 CEUs pending

Register today: https://members.mparks.org/atlas/events/1955510/details

10/15/2026

🎉 Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2027 mParks Conference & Trade Show!

It's time to start planning your trip to Traverse City! Join 700+ park and recreation professionals from across Michigan for four days of learning, networking, inspiration, and celebrating the incredible work happening in our field.

📅 February 2–5, 2027
📍 Grand Traverse Resort & Spa | Acme, MI

Here's what you can look forward to:

🌟 Educational sessions designed to inspire and strengthen your skills
🤝 Opportunities to connect with professionals from across Michigan
💡 Innovative products, services, and solutions at the Trade Show
🏆 Celebrating excellence in parks and recreation at the Awards Banquet
🎉 Networking receptions and opportunities to reconnect with colleagues

Register early and save!

🎟️ Early Bird Full Delegate Packages start at just $525 for mParks members through January 8.

👥 Bringing your team? Agency Members can receive one complimentary Full Delegate Package when registering 5–9 delegates, or two complimentary packages when registering 10 or more! Group registrations must be completed by January 15.

Ready to join us? Registration is officially open, so gather your team, secure your spot, and get ready for an unforgettable Conference experience.

🔗 Register today: https://www.mparks.org/conference.html

Reminder: Log in to your mParks account before registering to receive member pricing.

10/13/2026

🎉 Registration opens THIS THURSDAY!

The 2027 mParks Conference & Trade Show is heading to Traverse City, and we can't wait to bring Michigan's park and recreation professionals together for four days of learning, networking, and inspiration.

📅 February 2–5, 2027
📍 Grand Traverse Resort & Spa | Acme, MI

Join 700+ professionals from across Michigan to explore new ideas, make meaningful connections, discover industry trends, and celebrate the incredible work happening in parks and recreation.

Here's what to know before registration opens:

⭐ Early Bird pricing is available through January 8, with Full Delegate Packages starting at $525 for mParks members.

⭐ Choose from Full Delegate Packages or Daily Passes.

⭐ Agency Members can take advantage of group discounts when registering 5 or more Full Delegates by January 15.

Planning to attend? Make sure your mParks membership profile is up to date, including your staff roster, job titles, and contact information. Only active members listed on their organization's roster qualify for member pricing.

🗓️ Mark your calendar for Thursday, October 15, and get ready to register.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.mparks.org/conference.html

10/08/2026

Congratulations to Novi Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services for their CAPRA Reaccreditation! 👏

Way to go!

We did it! 🎉 PRCS is excited to announce our CAPRA reaccreditation, made official at the 2026 NRPA Conference in Philadelphia last week. CAPRA accreditation represents the gold standard in parks and recreation, and the City of Novi is one of only three parks agencies in Michigan to have earned the achievement. Maintaining this high standard is a true team effort. It takes the dedication of every PRCS team member and the support of departments across the entire city. Accredited since 2016, this is an achievement we are incredibly proud of!

10/07/2026

⏰ LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!

The Financial Sustainability Certificate Program starts next Tuesday, October 13, and we still have spots available!

Join parks and recreation professionals in Holland for 2.5 days of practical, engaging learning focused on building a more financially sustainable future for your organization and community.

Led by Jamie Sabbach, Founder and President of 110%, you’ll explore:
💰 Cost recovery and pricing strategies
📊 Financial and economic principles
🏗️ Infrastructure investment and service delivery
🤝 Equity and accessibility
💡 Strategies for making informed, sustainable financial decisions

📅 October 13–15
📍 Holland Charter Township Community Center
🎓 1.5 CEUs
💲 $430 Member | $645 Non-Member

If you’ve been thinking about attending, this is your sign to register! There’s still room, but don’t wait much longer.

👉 Register today: https://members.mparks.org/atlas/events/financial-sustainability-certificate-program-1954464/details

09/30/2026

🏆 Two More Opportunities to Strengthen Your Coaching Skills!

mParks’ webinar series with Positive Coaching Alliance continues this fall with two upcoming sessions designed to help coaches and recreation professionals better motivate, support and connect with today’s young athletes.

📅 October 7 | Positive Motivation: Getting the Best from Today’s Athletes
Explore strategies for motivating athletes, building resilience, creating a positive team culture and navigating challenging conversations. - https://shorturl.at/vgPfa

📅 November 10 | Supporting Athlete Behavior through Responsive Coaching
Learn practical approaches for responding to challenging behaviors, setting consistent expectations and creating an inclusive culture built on trust and accountability. - https://shorturl.at/8Nocd

🕚 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Zoom

⭐ FREE for mParks Members
⭐ $50 per webinar for non-members

Whether you coach directly or oversee youth sports programs and staff, these webinars offer practical strategies you can bring back to your athletes and organization.

Register today!

09/29/2026

🚨 The 2027 mParks Trade Show is already 74% full!

Booth space is going quickly, and after selling out the past two years, we encourage vendors to secure their spot soon.

Join us February 3–4 at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa and connect with parks and recreation professionals from across Michigan while showcasing your products, services, and solutions.

📍 Grand Traverse Resort & Spa | Acme, MI
🤝 Five hours of exclusive Trade Show time
📲 NEW seamless lead retrieval for 2027
💰 mParks Vendor Members save $500+
⭐ Sponsorship opportunities available

Booths are first-come, first-served, and we're already nearly three-quarters full. Don't wait to reserve your space!

➡️ Secure your booth: https://www.mparks.org/tradeshow.html

09/28/2026

🛝 Make playground safety a priority in your community!

Registration is open for the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Certification Course, coming to Royal Oak this October.

📅 October 19–21, 2026
📍 Royal Oak Senior Community Center
🎓 1.5 CEUs available

Presented by mParks in coordination with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), this comprehensive course prepares parks and recreation professionals to identify playground hazards, assess injury potential, and apply effective inspection, maintenance, and risk management practices.

Whether you're pursuing your CPSI certification or looking to strengthen your playground safety knowledge, this training provides practical skills you can bring back to your parks, facilities, and community.

Course & Exam: $675
Course Only: $525
Exam Only: $150

🔗 Register today: https://shorturl.at/aUkya