KANSAS RECREATION & PARK ASSOCIATION

Get ready for pool season! Join our Virtual Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) Certification Course on April 9-10. Perfect for pool operators, managers, and maintenance teams—this training equips you with essential skills to ensure your aquatic facilities run safely and efficiently.

Reggie is right! Applications are open for our 2 College Scholarships.

This week, professionals from across Kansas are gathering for the #KRPA Certified Playground Safety Inspector (#CPSI) course, ensuring safer play spaces for our communities. Their commitment to safety and excellence helps instill local pride, creating well-maintained, high-quality playgrounds that families can enjoy for years to come. A special thank you to our sponsors, Mammoth Sports Construction and Cunningham Recreation for making this vital training possible!

We would like to welcome Diann Henderson into the KRPA Hall of Fame! With over 40 years of dedicated service to parks and recreation, Diann has left an unmatched legacy in Great Bend and beyond. From the creation of Wetlands Aquatic Park, My Back Yard Playground, and the Great Bend Sports Complex to expanding walking trails, playgrounds, and wellness facilities, her leadership has instilled local pride and fostered community engagement for generations. A KRPA member since 1986, Diann served as KRPA President (2015-2016), helped reinstate the Advocacy Committee, and represented Kansas parks and recreation on Capitol Hill. She mentored countless professionals, shaping the future of the field with her vision, integrity, and passion. Her dedication has earned her numerous awards, including the KRPA Distinguished Professional Award, the Excellence Award, and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Legacy Award. Please join us in celebrating Diann Henderson, the 2025 KRPA Hall of Fame inductee! #krpa #krpaawards #parksandrecreation

For 18 years, Jared Rutti, Recreation Superintendent for Garden City Parks and Recreation, has been a driving force in expanding programs, fostering partnerships, and creating innovative recreational experiences for his community. From growing youth baseball tournaments and launching an NFL Flag Football league to organizing unique community events like the Rudolph Run and Adult Easter Egg Hunt, Jared’s leadership has instilled local pride and fostered community engagement in Garden City. His impact extends to Garden Rapids Aquatic Park, where he has introduced adult swim nights, family swim events, and youth swim programs, ensuring that aquatic recreation is accessible and engaging for all. Beyond programming, Jared has strengthened regional partnerships, grown participation in youth leagues, mentored young officials, and played a key role in professional development through the Southwest Kansas Recreation Directors Group. Please join us in recognizing Jared Rutti, the recipient of the 2025 KRPA Distinguished Professional Award! #krpa #krpaawards #parksandrecreation

Mallory Ozier, 50 Plus Recreation Coordinator for Johnson County Park & Recreation District, is making a lasting impact in parks and recreation through her leadership, innovation, and dedication. With ten years of service, Mallory has transformed recreational programming for older adults, coordinating pickleball tournaments, special events, and Arthritis Foundation exercise programs across multiple locations. Her ability to build partnerships and mentor staff has strengthened both her organization and the community. Beyond JCPRD, Mallory is shaping the future of the profession. As a Certified Recreation and Parks Professional, a presenter at KRPA conferences and workshops, and former Chair of the KRPA Young Professionals Committee, she has mentored young professionals, organized the Student Summit and Future Fair, and promoted the field statewide. Her passion for community engagement, professional development, and innovative programming continues to inspire. Please join us in recognizing Mallory Ozier, the recipient of the 2025 KRPA Distinguished New Professional Award! #krpa #krpaawards #parksandrecreation

KRPA Distinguished Public Service Award Winner: Friends of the Great Plains Nature Center The Friends of the Great Plains Nature Center play a vital role in making nature accessible, educational, and inspiring in the Wichita community. Through their dedication, this nonprofit has: ?? Educated over 58,000 students annually ?? Recruited and organized 5,000 volunteer service hours ?? Secured grants to enhance programming and facilities, including a public art grant for a natural history mural ?? Provided transportation grants for school field trips, ensuring environmental education reaches all students Their efforts support conservation and nature, foster community engagement, and connect people and partnerships to protect and appreciate the natural world. By funding critical staff positions, caring for animal ambassadors, and keeping educational programs free, they ensure that outdoor learning remains accessible to all. Join us in celebrating the Friends of the Great Plains Nature Center, the recipient of the 2025 KRPA Distinguished Public Service Award. #krpa #krpaawards #parksandrecreation

KRPA Distinguished Service Award Winner: Daniel Jones For 45 years, Daniel Jones has been a pillar of Salina Parks and Recreation, dedicating his career to creating outstanding recreational opportunities for his community. From managing 11 facilities to organizing programs for all ages—youth baseball, adult kickball, pickleball, and more—his leadership has shaped Salina’s parks and recreation landscape. His behind-the-scenes efforts, from field maintenance to officiating games and coordinating major events like 4th of July celebrations and Easter Egg Hunts, have fostered community engagement and ensured that residents have access to high-quality recreation. Beyond his day-to-day contributions, Daniel’s partnerships with USD 305 have helped connect schools and parks, strengthening opportunities for the entire community. As he nears retirement, his dedication, humility, and legacy of service will continue to inspire generations to come. Join us in celebrating Daniel Jones, the recipient of the 2025 KRPA Distinguished Service Award! #krpa #krpaawards #parksandrecreation

Dedication. Leadership. Service. These are just a few words that describe Susie Martin, a true community champion in Baldwin City, Kansas. With over 150 volunteer hours annually, Susie plays an essential role in making events like the Independence Day Celebration and Smoke on the Bricks BBQ a success. Whether selling BBQ Bucks, hauling trash, assisting with award ceremonies, or even monitoring bathrooms, she takes on every task with energy and enthusiasm. Her impact extends far beyond events. Susie instills local pride by pulling weeds at the sports complex, tending to flower beds at Baker University, and even mowing soccer fields—all without hesitation. Her willingness to go above and beyond fosters community engagement and inspires others to do the same. Please join us in celebrating Susie Martin, the recipient of the 2025 KRPA Distinguished Volunteer Award. Baldwin City Recreation Commission #krpa #krpaawards #parksandrecreation

KRPA members gathered at the Kansas State Capitol for Kansans for Conservation Day, joining fellow advocates in emphasizing the vital role of parks, outdoor spaces, and conservation efforts in our state. This event brought together 103 passionate individuals from 41 agencies (agriculture, commercial, nonprofit and wildlife) dedicated to protecting and enhancing Kansas’s natural resources through conservation. #krpa