Alabama Recreation & Park Association (ARPA)

Promotes Play & Recreation

May 2026

Register for your local ARPA event below. These events are free of charge!

ARPA Event 1| Troy, AL| May 5, 2026
Parks are essential to creating healthier, happier communities. This unique continuing education opportunity is designed to support professionals and stakeholders as they make their case and champion high-quality outdoor destinations to advocate for intergenerational, inclusive play and recreation environments. By thoughtfully aligning evidence-based best practices, communities across Alabama have deployed research to demonstrate their impact on community vitality. Be inspired by the leadership case examples and the latest research findings from ARPA's Statewide Initiative’s Collective Impact Report and learn how to translate data to tell your unique story! The content, resources, and interactive activities will offer a comprehensive overview and innovative strategies to turn research into practice and validate your investment. *This Professional Development Event is free and offered at no charge through PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research, and Education, GameTime, Struthers Recreation, and Alabama's Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA). *
ARPA Event 2| Opelika, AL| May 6, 2026
Parks are essential to creating healthier, happier communities. This unique continuing education opportunity is designed to support professionals and stakeholders as they make their case and champion high-quality outdoor destinations to advocate for intergenerational, inclusive play and recreation environments. By thoughtfully aligning evidence-based best practices, communities across Alabama have deployed research to demonstrate their impact on community vitality. Be inspired by the leadership case examples and the latest research findings from ARPA's Statewide Initiative’s Collective Impact Report and learn how to translate data to tell your unique story! The content, resources, and interactive activities will offer a comprehensive overview and innovative strategies to turn research into practice and validate your investment. *This Professional Development Event is free and offered at no charge through PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research, and Education, GameTime, Struthers Recreation, and Alabama's Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA). *
ARPA Event 3| Tuscaloosa, AL| May 7, 2026
Parks are essential to creating healthier, happier communities. This unique continuing education opportunity is designed to support professionals and stakeholders as they make their case and champion high-quality outdoor destinations to advocate for intergenerational, inclusive play and recreation environments. By thoughtfully aligning evidence-based best practices, communities across Alabama have deployed research to demonstrate their impact on community vitality. Be inspired by the leadership case examples and the latest research findings from ARPA's Statewide Initiative’s Collective Impact Report and learn how to translate data to tell your unique story! The content, resources, and interactive activities will offer a comprehensive overview and innovative strategies to turn research into practice and validate your investment. *This Professional Development Event is free and offered at no charge through PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research, and Education, GameTime, Struthers Recreation, and Alabama's Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA). *
ARPA Event 4| Fort Payne, AL| May 12, 2026
Parks are essential to creating healthier, happier communities. This unique continuing education opportunity is designed to support professionals and stakeholders as they make their case and champion high-quality outdoor destinations to advocate for intergenerational, inclusive play and recreation environments. By thoughtfully aligning evidence-based best practices, communities across Alabama have deployed research to demonstrate their impact on community vitality. Be inspired by the leadership case examples and the latest research findings from ARPA's Statewide Initiative’s Collective Impact Report and learn how to translate data to tell your unique story! The content, resources, and interactive activities will offer a comprehensive overview and innovative strategies to turn research into practice and validate your investment. *This Professional Development Event is free and offered at no charge through PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research, and Education, GameTime, Struthers Recreation, and Alabama's Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA). *

Statewide Partnership for Education & Funding Initiative

Supporting Community Health & Well-Being Through Evidence-Based Park Destinations

ARPA, PlayCore, GameTime, and Struthers Recreation have partnered in a collaborative effort to improve the quality of life in communities through our Statewide Healthy Play Initiative. The goal of this partnership is to provide quality education, evidence-based resources, and funding opportunities to create high-quality play and recreation destinations and demonstrate impact and outcomes across the state of Alabama.

About the Professional Development Events

Parks are essential to creating healthier, happier communities. This unique continuing education opportunity is designed to support professionals and stakeholders as they make their case and champion high-quality outdoor destinations to advocate for intergenerational, inclusive play and recreation environments. By thoughtfully aligning evidence-based best practices, communities across Alabama have deployed research to demonstrate their impact on community vitality. Be inspired by the leadership case examples and the latest research findings from ARPA's Statewide Initiative’s Collective Impact Report and learn how to translate data to tell your unique story!  The content, resources, and interactive activities will offer a comprehensive overview and innovative strategies to turn research into practice and validate your investment.

*This Professional Development Event is free and offered at no charge through PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research, and Education, GameTime, Great Western, and Alabama Recreation and Park Association (ARPA)*

Lunch and CEUs Provided:

Lunch, educational resources, and continuing education certifications will be provided. CEUs will be provided for a total of 2.0 Professional Development Hours (0.2 IACET CEU / 2.0 AIA HSW LU / 2.0 LA CES HSW PDH) for learners meeting outlined requirements. The instructor of this learning event is employed by PlayCore and discloses interest in participants partnering with PlayCore on their play and recreation initiatives.