mParks - Michigan Recreation and Park Association

?Reminder: ESTA notification letters to employees are due this week (no later than March 23)? If you’re looking for a sample notification letter, check out the example in the Michigan Chamber of Commerce's compliance toolkit: https://bit.ly/4ikdxOX

Last week I had the opportunity to attend mParks - Michigan Recreation and Park Association annual conference and trade show in beautiful Traverse City! It was an inspiring experience connecting with fellow park professionals, attending sessions, and reigniting my passion for the field of parks and recreation. I’m grateful to be part of a small but mighty team at Davison Township Parks & Rec, and we’re ready to make this year an unforgettable one for our community!

Our MiPLACE Team at OHM Advisors had a fantastic time at the mParks - Michigan Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference and Trade Show last week at Grand Traverse Resort. We participated in informative sessions, engaged with existing clients and met new prospects, and celebrated TWO project receiving accolades: Jessica's Splash Pad - City of Novi, MI, and 9 Mile Trailhead - City of Oak Park, MI. We look forward to providing quality service to our clients and connecting with new. #AdvancingCommunities #mparks #PLACE #GreatLakeState

Shout out to two of my favorite co-presenters, Amos DeRosier and Sam Jenkins, for collaborating on our?Spotlight on Inclusivity panel at last week's mParks - Michigan Recreation and Park Association Conference and Trade Show! It was a late add to the conference schedule but lead to some needed inclusive conversations and discussions.

?? I had the pleasure of attending the Michigan Society of Association Executives Public Policy Roundtable with Derek Smith, CPRP, Director of Northville Parks and Recreation and mParks - Michigan Recreation and Park Association Public Policy Chair. ?? Today, we engaged in insightful discussions about the first 75 days of 2025 and strategies for navigating the political landscape. The MSAE Public Policy Roundtable was privileged to welcome Governor Gretchen Whitmer today. She addressed economic uncertainty, emphasized that problems are opportunities, reaffirmed education as a priority, and underscored the need for leaders who get things done. Inspiring insights for the road ahead! A big thank you to Michigan Society of Association Executives for organizing this vital bipartisan event! Excited to apply what we've learned as we move forward. #MSAE #PublicPolicy #CommunityEngagement #ProfessionalDevelopment #Networking #mParks

What an incredible past few days at the 2025 mParks - Michigan Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference & Tradeshow! While I didn’t take many photos, I walked away with something even better in new connections with professionals and students, fresh ideas to enhance programs and facilities, and a renewed appreciation for the dedicated individuals shaping Michigan’s parks and recreation field. A huge shoutout and congratulations to Shannon Coker, CPRP, CPM, Tina Nowakowski, Justin Lippe, and Nichole Fisher, CMP for an incredible week. Kevin Troshak and his conference committee did an outstanding job providing attendees an opportunity to elevate themselves and our field! Thank you for creating an inspiring space to collaborate, and the ability move into the summer full of energy and ideas! Can't wait for next year in Lansing! Griffin Engel, great job representing the family in the Connect 4 Tournament!

It was another amazing experience speaking at the 2025 mParks - Michigan Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference. Thank you to Shannon Coker, CPRP, CPM and all the conference committee members for organizing such a great event that ELEVATED everyone!

What an amazing week at the mParks - Michigan Recreation and Park Association annual conference! It was wonderful to connect with so many incredible professionals, and I’m leaving feeling energized and inspired. A huge thank you to Kit Kieser for inviting me to co-present this year—it was an exciting experience being a first-time speaker, especially on the topic of ChatGPT! A special congratulations to Jeff Muck on the well-deserved Fellowship Award! This conference was truly unforgettable, and I can’t wait to bring back new ideas to put into action.

This past Tuesday, I had the honor of sharing the impact Latino Outdoors GR a Facebook group has made over the past five years at mParks - Michigan Recreation and Park Association Conference. Huge shoutout to Sergio Cira Reyes for creating this incredible group! Through partnerships and community support, we’ve introduced not only the Latino community but also other BIPOC communities in Grand Rapids to outdoor experiences, helping people connect with Mother Nature in ways that feel safe, culturally meaningful, and to new spaces we know also belong to us. A big thank you to Heart of the Lakes, the Mott Foundation, and The Conversation Fund for the opportunity to highlight this work and recognize the incredible impact our partners have made in expanding outdoor access. I also had the chance to share how my journey in outdoor advocacy has led to working alongside with Alice Jasper, Color Out Here Segment and WGVU continuing the mission of creating inclusive outdoor spaces and uplifting storytelling that reflects our communities. Grateful for every person who has joined us on this journey, your joy, curiosity, and love for the outdoors fuel this movement. Here’s to many more years of adventure and connection! #LatinoOutdoorsGR #BIPOCOutdoors #Community #NatureForAll #ColorOutHere #WGVU #Storytelling