2026 Fall Community Park and Program Exchange: St. Marys

2026 Community Parks and Programs Exchange: St. Marys

$15 members / $25 non-members

Join us for this in-person learning and networking experience focused on planning, funding, and delivering parks and recreation upgrades in your area. The Community Parks and Programs Exchange is designed for local municipal managers, elected officials, recreation board members, volunteers, and park champions looking to increase or improve their community's park and recreation offerings.

State and local experts will facilitate interactive sessions on planning for park upgrades and partnering for successful programs. The highlight of the day is a tour of St. Marys' brand new, fully accessible playground at Memorial Park - a project with a price tag of over a million dollars, yet more than 90% of that funding came from sources other than taxpayers. The afternoon will focus on funding for park and playground improvements, featuring representatives from organizations offering relevant grants and planning assistance, including DCNR, PRPS, DCED, PA Fish & Boat Commission, North Central PA Regional Planning and Development Commission, Lumber Heritage Region, and more!

You can read more about St. Marys' Memorial Park Project at: https://www.thecourierexpress.com/news/plans-for-new-playland-at-memorial-park-begin-to-take-shape/article_c12290da-63b6-11ef-aeae-4333e22d6d0d.html and https://radio.wpsu.org/2025-05-15/st-marys-pa-grand-opening-new-inclusive-playground

Tentative Agenda
9:30 Arrival, Registration, and Networking
10:00 Introductions and Agenda Review
10:15 Session 1: Planning for Park Upgrades - Heather Cuyler, Pashek + MTR
11:15 Coffee Break
11:30 Session 2: Partnering for Programming Success – Holly Komonczi, Lumber Heritage Region
12:30 Lunch
1:15 Tour of Memorial Park Playground
1:45 Break
2:00 Funding Forum •Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society •Dept. of Conservation of Natural Resources •Dept. of Community and Economic Development •PA Fish & Boat Commission •North Central PA Regional Planning and Development Commission•Lumber Heritage Region

Not a member of PRPS? Join now and save on this registration, plus receive discounts on all future training events, current industry news, networking opportunities, professional development scholarships, resources, and more. Visit www.prps.org/membership to view the full list of member benefits.
CANCELLATION POLICYPRPS will refund your registration, less a $5 processing fee, if your cancellation is received in writing more than 10 business days prior to the event. No refunds will be given for cancellations occurring less than 10 business days prior to an event. Substitute attendees are welcome in lieu of cancellations; please contact the PRPS office to arrange this.
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