Vermont Recreation & Parks Association

Vermont Recreation & Parks Association The Vermont Recreation and Parks Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the p

VRPA Mission
The mission of the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association is to provide training and resources to help Vermonters to "Create Community through People, Parks and Programs." Members
Our members consist of over 400 Parks & Recreation professionals from around the state of Vermont. Our members come from municipalities, state parks, non-profits, as well as commercial & private businesses. Through our professional members we serve and reach communities in every county in the state.

We're thrilled to announce Lex Gillette as our keynote speaker at this year's annual conference! Join us on Wednesday, O...
08/12/2025

We're thrilled to announce Lex Gillette as our keynote speaker at this year's annual conference! Join us on Wednesday, October 8th at the Killington Grand Hotel for an inspiring session. A big thank you to for their Speaker Scholarship, making this possible.

A complete session list will be available soon our website. See you in October!

https://www.vrpa.org/Conference-Overview

We are looking forward to getting together with park & rec professionals at the NRPA Annual Conference Sept. 16-18! ha...
05/06/2025

We are looking forward to getting together with park & rec professionals at the NRPA Annual Conference Sept. 16-18! has it all: education sessions, networking, socials and the latest products for our field.

VRPA’s very own executive director, Jessica Brodie, is presenting about how collaboration between Parks & Recreation and Agritourism businesses can foster strong, vibrant communities. Will we see you there?

Registration opens Monday, May 12th at 12:00pm!

New England room block information will be sent out soon as well.



Register to attend on opening day here: Nrpa.org/conference.

This spring, thanks to a Vermont Community Foundation (VCF) Capacity Building Grant, the Vermont Trails & Greenways Coun...
04/30/2025

This spring, thanks to a Vermont Community Foundation (VCF) Capacity Building Grant, the Vermont Trails & Greenways Council (VTGC) has embarked on a 3-year strategic planning process. Staff, board, and stakeholder interviews, member and partner surveys, and a June board retreat will provide consultant Abby Harlow the information needed to work closely with the board and prepare an actionable strategic plan through 2028.

VTGC needs your feedback so that they know how to prioritize their goals in the coming years. To help, please take their 10-minute survey below:

VT Trail organizations link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSVcnAyQWxLIU4G6BW_1TiIdTgPDg359Ct-fTubS0by3L1MA/viewform

VTGC partner organizations link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdz0QEHalCzdmdGZVlGapyep0vnZPayvVkPbFTMaXCg0u5-3w/viewform

Vermont Trail Accessibility Hub - FREE Spring Webinar Series!March 18th, 25th, April 2nd, & April 29thLearn more about h...
03/14/2025

Vermont Trail Accessibility Hub - FREE Spring Webinar Series!
March 18th, 25th, April 2nd, & April 29th

Learn more about how to expand trail-based recreation to people with disabilities through an informative and thought-provoking series of webinars provided by TAH partners, Vermont Center for Independent Living, and UVM Center for Disabilities and Community Inclusion.

Bring your lunch, tune in, and learn with fellow advocates. Workshops are free and all are held at Noon.

Register in advance here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsVGc1-v4YDEiOZrBDxW8R0X6DP6nx3-bNx45DBiJc5E-Eeg/viewform

The Move Forward Together Vermont Report--the combination of Vermont's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Rec Plan (SCORP) ...
03/06/2025

The Move Forward Together Vermont Report--the combination of Vermont's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Rec Plan (SCORP) and VOREC Action Plan--was released in February. This is the culmination of the efforts and ideas of so many incredible recreation folks here in Vermont.

The success of Move Forward Together Vermont depends on the collaboration and engagement of outdoor recreation partners from all sectors. By working together we can address challenges, share resources, and implement best practices. Help us reach as many people as possible with the news about the launch by sharing updates through your social media channels and on websites and/or in newsletters.

https://fpr.vermont.gov/move-forward-together-vermont

The VT Agency of Natural Resources would like to remind any organization interested that it is time to submit LWCF Pre-A...
12/09/2024

The VT Agency of Natural Resources would like to remind any organization interested that it is time to submit LWCF Pre-Application materials to [email protected] by December 13th 11:59 PM.

Missing materials will be flagged as an incomplete proposal and will not be considered for funding. If you are uncertain about what materials you should be submitting, see below for the list of required materials, or reach out to us ASAP!
• Pre-Application Form
• LWCF Workplan
• LWCF Budget
• Climate Resilience Risk Form
• Completed Permit Navigator results or Project Review Sheet.(Development Projects Only)

Note: Grants staff will screen submissions received before 5 pm on Thursday, December 12th for completeness and notify applicants of any missing documentation that still needs to be submitted by Friday’s deadline. For proposals submitted after 5 pm on December 12th, applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully review their email submission to ensure all required materials are submitted by the deadline.

If you have any lingering questions, we welcome you to attend the final LWCF Pre-Application Office Hour which will be held tomorrow Tuesday, December 10th at 10:00-11:00 AM. If you are unable to make it, it will be recorded and posted on the LWCF webpage.

Additional information can be found on the LWCF webpage as well as the 2025 LWCF Pre-Application Guidance.

https://fpr.vermont.gov/land-and-water-conservation-fund

Curious about how technology can enhance the Parks & Recreation experience? We've partnered with over 15 organizations t...
10/25/2024

Curious about how technology can enhance the Parks & Recreation experience?

We've partnered with over 15 organizations to bring you the Rec & Tech Virtual Workshop, where you can gain knowledge and skills on how the ever evolving digital world can strengthen the relationship between your community and Parks & Recreation.

You can find details and more at https://www.ncrpa.net/recandtech

Registration is $25 and .4 CEUs are available.

The VRPA Facility of Merit Award is presented annually to an agency or organization that has renovated or developed a re...
10/04/2024

The VRPA Facility of Merit Award is presented annually to an agency or organization that has renovated or developed a recreation amenity.

Last week, we were privileged to honor the Beach House in Shelburne, VT.

The original Beach Bath house was built in the 1950's by volunteers. The concrete block structure was deteriorating and had structural issues, in addition to inefficient function, non-compliant with ADA, and very poor aesthetics. An assessment of the condition and options for repair or renovation was performed in the fall of 2016 by VIA. They provided three options for the Town to pursue, and after review and discussion with the Recreation Committee and Town Administration, the Selectboard voted to follow the route of taking down the original structure and replacing with a new structure on the same footprint.

In 2017 the design for the new Beach House was created by Jeff McBride of Sidehill Design. Jeff worked closely with the Recreation Committee to meet the needs and requirements of the types of use for the structure, and researched the land use history to envision an updated structure that will still visually blend with the farming landscape and rural setting. After completing the design, an initial estimate of $350,000 for the project was determined.

Several fundraising projects were initiated with varying degrees of success from 2020-2022. Fundraising efforts brought in a total of $27,873, during this time, mostly through individual donations. Final fundraising efforts through 2024 totaled over $35,000 from over 150 individuals.

In March of 2022, Shelburne voters authorized up to $350,000 in financing for the construction of a replacement Beach House at Shelburne Beach. Final construction prices were much higher than the original estimate of $350,000 before COVID, and we were lucky enough to receive allocation of ARPA funding from the Town’s Financial Committee and Selectboard to be able to continue the project. The project was completed in June 2024, just in time to open for the summer season.

Congratulations to all those involved in this great project!

The VRPA Young Professional Award is presented annually to an individual that exhibits leadership, creativity, and has m...
10/04/2024

The VRPA Young Professional Award is presented annually to an individual that exhibits leadership, creativity, and has made a significant contribution over a period of time in the profession. The candidate must be employed in the State of Vermont for a minimum of 2 years in the field of parks & recreation, be a VRPA member, and be under the age of 40 yrs. old.

Last week, we were privileged to honor Tatum Barnes with the Hartford Parks and Recreation Department at our 81st Annual VT Conference on Recreation as this year's 2024 Young Professional.

As a key member of the Hartford Parks and Recreation team, Tatum has demonstrated remarkable innovation, leadership, and dedication in the development and implementation of an after-school program that has become a cornerstone of youth engagement in our community.

Recognizing the need for dynamic and diverse programming for our youth, Tatum took the initiative to design and launched a series of specialized clubs within the after-school program. These clubs cater to a wide range of interests, providing young people with opportunities to explore and develop new skills in a supportive environment.

Recognizing the importance of providing enriching experiences beyond the local community, Tatum also spearheaded the Teen Adventure Getaways. These trips offer older youth the chance to explore new places, challenge themselves with adventure activities, and build lasting friendships—all under the guidance of his skilled and involved personality.

Through these initiatives, Tatum has not only expanded the range of activities available to the youth of Hartford and its villages but has also created an inclusive environment where every young person can find a place to belong and thrive. Tatum's passion for youth development, combined with his innovative approach to programming, has made a significant impact on our community.

Tatum’s exceptional work, leadership, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people set a great example for other professionals in the field.

Congratulations Tatum on being the 2024 Young Professional of the Year!

Congratulations to Vermont Patriots, Inc. Youth Soccer Program for being awarded the 2024 Theresa S. Brungardt Organizat...
10/04/2024

Congratulations to Vermont Patriots, Inc. Youth Soccer Program for being awarded the 2024 Theresa S. Brungardt Organization Award!

The Vermont Patriots, which is incorporated as a 501©3 non-profit, approached the City of Winooski in 2018 with an ambitious vision to bring high quality youth soccer to the community with a focus on disrupting the rampant "pay to play" model of club soccer, promoting positive youth engagement, and teaching important transferable life skills along the way. With a dedicated team of volunteers, and a strong partnership with the City of Winooski, the Vermont Patriots has seen the program balloon to 10 teams and approximately 140 players per season (U-6 to U-12 levels), and has provided a full club soccer experience (strong coaching, full uniform kits, participation in regional soccer leagues) for no more than $25/season (with ~40% of participants receiving a full scholarship to participate). The Vermont Patriots has truly given the diverse Winooski community (and beyond) an accessible program through which to channel its passion for soccer, and has led to incredible outcomes both on, and off, the field. At a time when there are increasing numbers of youth sports programs privatizing and moving away from municipal partnerships, the Vermont Patriots has remained unwavering in its belief that ALL kids should have access to high quality youth sports, regardless of their background or socioeconomics, and the volunteer Board has worked tirelessly to make that vision a reality for hundreds of kids in Winooski.

The VRPA Community organization or agency award is handed out annually at our fall conference to a commercial, professional, private, governmental, or nonprofit organization or agency that has made outstanding contributions to the recreation and/or park field. The contributions may be for an outstanding program that has made a unique impact on its participants, a distinctive indoor or outdoor facility notable for its architectural character or functional use, outstanding interpretation of recreation and parks, or similar achievement.

The VRPA Unsung Hero Award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated consistent or outstanding service...
10/04/2024

The VRPA Unsung Hero Award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated consistent or outstanding service in their community and whose commitment has been in furthering the field of parks, recreation, and/or cultural and community services through excellence, service, and ex*****on of their talents and skills.

Last week we were privileged to honor Rob Mather with Vermont 100 Endurance Race / Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports.

Rob - also known as "Radio Rob" - plays a critical role for the communities in the Ascutney/Windsor area, not just for two specific annual, national events, but also as a dedicated American Red Cross volunteer and has been a member, instructor and program director for the Southern Windsor County CERT Team, a federal program under Homeland Security and FEMA, managed by the Vermont Dept. of Emergency Management. His dedication to the safety and security of his fellow citizens, visitors to the area and the land everyone plays on in these communities is important for the stability and growth of this region. As a volunteer for the American Red Cross he has held positions including the local Disaster Action Team Lead, a member of the Disaster Service Technology Team (local and regional), Regional Duty Officer and has filled in for the Emergency Services Director. As Rob says, “My passion for the American Red Cross is to serve our local communities during emergencies.”

For nearly 40 years, Rob has been a dedicated volunteer for Vermont Adaptive and the surrounding communities. His service includes thousands of hours ensuring the safety of all runners, volunteers and staff annually at both the Vermont 100 Endurance Race and the Vermont 50 Mountain Bike Race and Ultra Run. He has also been a volunteer for the local American Red Cross since 2006, holding leadership positions and serving on boards at the chapter and regional levels.

Congratulations Rob!

Address

Brownsville, VT
05037

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

(802) 878-2077

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