Summer 2020 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 25

MRPA VIRTUAL CONFERENCE 2020

SEPTEMBER 23 & 24, 2020

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We are excited to invite you to attend the 84th annual Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference and Exhibit Hall, a virtual conference taking place September 23-24, 2020.

Wow! 2020 will certainly go down in history as one of the most memorable years for the entire world – and especially for our industry. COVID-19 has created impacts to our daily routine, the likes of which will hopefully make us all grow safer and stronger in our personal and professional lives.

By now as an organization or as an individual you may have had to re-think, retrain, retool, re-budget, re-assess and reorganize to create the next “best practices” for the future. The 2020 Annual Conference Committee Team has done exactly that to continue “Connecting Minnesota” to provide delegates, students, retirees, associates, vendors and sponsors a

high-level experience in a first-ever virtual conference. Valuable educational opportunities, engaging speakers, networking events and exhibit hall opportunities have all been put into place. In addition, some new ideas and innovations have also been incorporated that we hope will serve you well.

Our annual conference success is based on your participation and excitement! We are all united by the park and recreation profession and our ability to live, learn and pass this knowledge along. Please join us!

Be safe, be courteous, be thoughtful and be understanding - may these become the next “best practice!”

Scott Zlotnik and Ross Demant2020 MRPA Annual Conference Co-Chairs

C O N N E C T I N G M I N N E S OTAV I RT U A L M R PA A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E

MRPA CONTACT INFORMATION

CONFERENCE COMMITTEEThe Annual Conference Committee was planning a traditional conference; however, this was interrupted by the pandemic. The committee had to then completely re-organized into the first-ever MRPA virtual conference. This would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of these individuals:

M I N N E S OTA R E C R E AT I O N A N D PA R K A S S O C I AT I O N

CORE VALUESLEADERSHIPProviding professional development, networking, best practices and informational support for our customers

STEWARDSHIPProactively advocating for preserving our parks, conserving our natural resources and advancing the values of recreation and leisure services

WELLNESSImpacting health and active living through educational and social opportunities

ENGAGEMENTBuilding relationships and seeking collaborative partnerships with community members and organizations

INTEGRITYServing fairly and professionally while building trust through our interactions

INCLUSIONRespecting our differences and supporting opportunities for everyone

To improve the quality of life in Minnesota by enhancing the profession of parks, open space, recreation and leisure services.

O U R M I S S I O N

C O N F E R E N C E W E L C O M E

CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRS Ross DemantScott Zlotnik

PROGRAMMINGMarc MatticeChelsea SwiggumAlyssa PinkMarcia LarsonGina Hugo

EXHIBIT HALLMike BauerZac Dockter

LOGISTICSNick Jacobs

MARKETINGNikki Greenwell

NETWORKINGAnn MosackRoxann Maxey

SPONSORSHIPSAlicia Watts

VOLUNTEERSDolf MoonSara Witte

200 Charles Street NEFridley, MN 55432

T:763-571-1305, ext. 100F:763-571-5204

Email: snider@mnrpa.org

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C O N F E R E N C EAT A GLANCE

V I RT U A LEXHIBIT HALL

T h a n k yo u t o t h e 2 0 2 0 a n n u a l c o n f e re n c e s p o n s o r s f o r m a k i n g t h i s e ve n t p o s s i b l e .

C O N F E R E N C E S P O N S O R S

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23VIRTUAL CAFÉ .....................................

WELCOME - MRPA President Address .....

OPENING KEYNOTE .............................Jan Malcolm - Leadership Through a Time of Crisis

SESSION BLOCK 1 ................................

EXHIBIT HALL ......................................

SESSION BLOCK 2 ................................

NETWORKING EVENT ..........................

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24UNCONFERENCE COFFEE BREAK ..........

FINAL DAY OPENING - MRPA / Chairs ....

OPENING KEYNOTE .............................Jim Ramnaraine - Emotional Wellness in a Time of Pandemic: Is Everyone Ok?

SESSION BLOCK 1 ................................

EXHIBIT HALL ......................................

SESSION BLOCK 2 ................................

CLOSING KEYNOTE .............................C. Willi Myles - Humor in the Workplace - How to Build a Winning Team

ON-DEMAND SESSIONS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE CONFERENCE

7:45 - 8:45 am

8:45 am

9:15 - 10:30 am

10:45 am - 12 pm

12 - 1 pm

1 - 2:15 pm

2:30 pm

7:45 - 8:45 am

8:45 am

9:15 - 10:30 am

10:45 am - 12 pm

12 - 1 pm

1 - 2:15 pm

2:30 - 3:45 pm

View Anytime

We encourage attendees to visit with

exhibitors both Wednesday and Thursday. It

is essential to the fiscal health of MRPA and

our vendors that attendees participate in

the virtual exhibit hall.

By attending the virtual exhibit hall and

browsing vendor products and services, you

are showing your support for the industry and

building relationships for future conferences and

projects. With the added benefit of short vendor

videos and Zoom chats, you never know what

you might discover or who you may CONNECT

with to improve your work life.

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JAN MALCOLMHealth Commissioner Minnesota Department of Health

J IM RAMNARAINEADA Coordinator, Retired Hennepin County

In this conference keynote, presenter Jim Ramnaraine will introduce the concept of “emotional wellness,” a spectrum of behaviors from stress to resiliency. It will be important for employers to use neutral terms when promoting stress management and confronting difficult topics like mental health and substance use disorder interventions. With over 70-percent of the workforce already finding it hard to manage their individual stress levels before COVID-19, this will be a unique challenge to employer’s productivity and benefits cost containment. The formula for success is fairly straight forward. However, it does require a commitment to changing work culture and using skills many managers may find difficult to apply.

C . WILL I MYLESComedian/Speaker C. Willi Myles Ent/G L Berg Entertainment

In this keynote, we will seek to understand how humor can improve your productivity as well as your company’s bottom line, and also the impact that humor in the work place has on you. We will also explore how playing your role increases the odds of overall success and anything you do as an individual or team member.

Minnesota Recreation and Park Association welcomes Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Commissioner Jan Malcolm as the opening keynote presenter for the first-ever MRPA Virtual Annual Conference. Malcolm entered our lives during the state’s daily news conferences to help Minnesotans understand how a new virus called COVID-19 was quickly changing the world around us. Her servant leadership and calm demeanor continue to be hallmarks of her work at MDH.

During her opening session, Malcolm will share her perspective on leadership during a time of crisis. As the state’s leading public health expert, she’ll impart her view on the impact parks and recreation agencies have on their communities’ health and wellness.

Prior to being appointed commissioner, Malcolm was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Malcolm previously served as CEO of the Courage Center and as president of the Courage Kenny Foundation following the merger of Courage Center and the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. She has also worked as vice president of public affairs and philanthropy at Allina Health. From 1999 to 2003, Malcolm served as MDH commissioner. Throughout her career, Malcolm has been active in state and national health care, public health associations, and government commissions on health care access and quality. Malcolm is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

K E Y N OT E S P E A K E R S

Wednesday, 9:15 - 10:30 amThursday, 9:15 - 10:30 am

Thursday, 2:30 - 3:45 pm

Sponsored By:

Sponsored By:

Sponsored By:

EMOTIONAL WELLNESS IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC: IS EVERYONE OK?

LEADERSHIP THROUGH A TIME OF CRISIS

HUMOR IN THE WORKPLACE - HOW TO BUILD A WINNING TEAM

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YOUNG PROFESSIONAL STUDENT NETWORK: INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTERBrett Rannow, Meeting and Event Coordinator,City of New Brighton How should you prepare for a full-time job interview? Who should you connect with if you want to be a programmer? What career routes are available to me in parks and recreation? Calling all students and young professionals

– MRPA’s Young Professional & Student Network (YPSN)

is here to serve you! YPSN is a group dedicated to help students and young professionals get where they want to be in the parks and recreation profession. We encourage you to browse YPSN’s resources prior to the event such our Facebook group, email hotline and ‘entry-level’ educational guides. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with graduated students and seasoned professionals about these topics while creating beneficial relationships in the process. Bring your questions, all are welcome!

UNDERSTANDING GENDER DIVERSITY Rebecca Slaby, Executive Director;Ryan Kersey, Sales and Program Manager;AMAZEworksHow can we better support and create belonging for gender-expansive and transgender community members? This session will help participants understand gender diversity and include a primer on pronouns. We will also provide many examples of how to use inclusive language with children and adults to create all-gender embracing spaces.

ACCOUNTABILITY; IT’S EVERYBODY’S RESPONSIBILITYLori Hoffner, Professional Speaker, Trainer and Consultant, Supporting CommUnity Accountability: the obligation of an individual or organization to account for its activities, accept responsibility for them, and to disclose the results in a transparent manner. It is the expectation we have for ourselves and others, but how often do we meet it? Do we find solutions when things don’t go as we had planned, or do we play the blame game? Attendees will learn how accountability is critical when facing today’s world during a pandemic. We can’t afford to allow lag time when it’s a health issue. It’s necessary to speak up in a way that shares positive intent and outcomes. Together we will discuss how we move beyond understanding the need for accountability, to engaging your team and the community in ways that can win hearts, minds, and commitment. We’ll discuss how to create a philosophy of accountability that everyone can embrace and practice. A philosophy that removes fear, increases skills, confidence and reliability.MAXIMIZING NATURAL RESOURCES WITH

LIMITED RESOURCES: ONE APPROACH TO NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANS Sean Jergens, Senior Associate Landscape Architect; SRF Consulting Group;Doug Mensing, Senior Ecologist; Applied Ecological ServicesParks and natural resource managers share a basic challenge: how to improve the quality of natural resources with limited budget and staff. The panel will describe an approach and provide examples that use flexible tools, technologies, and ecological best practices to gather data, develop goals, and create a plan for project implementation.

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O P E N I N G K E Y N OT E P R E S E N TAT I O N , J A N M A L C O L M 9 : 1 5 - 1 0 : 3 0 A M

10:45 am - 12 pm

WELCOME - 8:45 am

Sponsored By:

V I RT U A L C A F É7:45 - 8:45 am

Join us on Zoom for an open networking platform. Log in and CONNECT with other conference attendees. Moderators will be present to facilitate conversations in three groups; Directors and Managers, Programmers and Special Services, and Maintenance and Facility Managers.

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W E D N E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 3

1 - 2:15 pm

O F F - S I T E I N S T I T U T E

RACIAL EQUITY IN AQUATICSMaddy Rosewood, Aquatics Coordinator,City of Inver Grove Heights Kate Connell, Aquatic Professional, Iowa City;\Representatives from Diversity in Aquatics, SwemKids and AfroSwimmersMRPA aquatic professionals will explore the racial and cultural inequities that are experienced in the aquatics profession. Discover how to better understand these differences and the tools used to bridge those gaps. This session provides more than simple aquatic programming; rather, it reaches those in management and other aspects of the parks and recreation profession for a dialogue around this topic. Attendees will discuss how racial equity in aquatics may also impact your area of expertise in the profession.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SHAPED BY PLAY: THE FORMATIVE ROLE OF PLAY AND PLAYGROUNDS John McConkey, Market Research and Insights Manager,Landscape StructuresThe future of the world is in the hands of creative kids. Children’s play behavior on community playgrounds is essential for a successful, healthy life. This session shares research from the University of Minnesota Institute for Child Development showing how play develops 21st century skills: persistence, self-esteem, creativity and competence.

CUSTOMER SERVICE BOOT CAMP: CALL-TO-ACTION Annie Olson, Customer Service Director;Iris Pahlberg Peterson, Customer Service Supervisor; Minneapolis Park and Recreation BoardMarch virtually into the all new Call-To-Action, the highly anticipated sequel to the hit Back-To-The-Basics session. Meet growing needs within your park system with foolproof strategies to satisfy and delight park patrons. Leave with renewed energy and motivation to provide phenomenal customer experiences.

WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON; EVERYTHING FROM Y TO Z Lori Hoffner, Professional Speaker, Trainer and Consultant,Supporting CommUnityLearn the similarities and differences between the Gen Y/Millennials and the up-and-coming Gen Z generations. Better understand how today’s young adults, teens, and youth think and behave - whether as staff or consumers. Attendees will describe how to create an environment of cooperation and open-mindedness that will help communication across these dynamic groups.

HOW TO RECREATE, VIRTUALLY! Jamie Anderson, Recreation Coordinator, City of Bemidji;Kelsi McNutt, Community Center Manager, City of ChaskaSpeakers will be available live to interact with attendees as they view a previously recorded presentation. The year 2020 has presented many opportunities for agencies to continue recreation programing even when we couldn’t meet our residents/participants in-person. Identify how other park and recreation departments and recreation centers inspired their communities to maintain healthy active lifestyles, outline new skills, express themselves, and continue to create opportunities to socialize. Recreation programming – what worked, what did not, the new normal, and how can we continue to use the skills/programs from spring/summer 2020 into the future.

12 - 1 pm

We encourage attendees to visit with vendors and view their materials.

GREAT CONVERSATIONS AND PRIZES AWAIT!

V IRTUAL EXHIBIT HALL

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T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 4

INTEGRATING NATURE AND RECREATION THROUGH POLLINATOR GARDENSHolly Jenkins, Director,Wilderness In The City People need pollinators and pollinators are in crisis. Parks have a timely opportunity to increase high quality pollinator habitats throughout our communities. Learn how transitioning unused areas of turf within parks into low-maintenance native gardens will lead to a mosaic of critical pollinator habitats throughout your community.

CENTERING COMMUNITY IN MASTER PLANNING RESILIENT PARK SYSTEMS: FROM ENGAGEMENT TO PARK DESIGN Mo Convery, Landscape and Urban Designer,Cuningham Group;Carrie Christensen, Senior Planner,Minneapolis Park and Recreation BoardParks are invaluable resources in increasing communities’ resilience to climate and social change. In addition to environmental benefits that have long been central to park system planning, parks are uniquely positioned to improve social connections and community cohesion that are central to community resiliency. The impact of COVID-19 on park systems and changes in park use over the past year exemplify the need to directly plan for social needs in a changing world. This session examines how to prioritize the development of social infrastructure in a park master planning process through sharing a case study from Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s East of the River Master Plan. This participatory session centers around conversations of resiliency. Discussion will focus on community engagement strategies, design tools, and how to integrate plans with other organizing efforts in communities.

10:45 am - 12 pm

7:45 - 8:45 am

U N C O N F E R E N C EC O F F E E B R E A K

An unconference is a participant-oriented meeting where the attendees decide on the discussion topics. The informal and flexible program allows participants to suggest topics of their own interest. A moderator will lead a morning networking mingle. Zoom link will be distributed in conference confirmation materials.

Sponsored By:

MRPA PRESIDENT’S TRIVIAW E D N E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 3 ; 2 : 3 0 P M

Minnesota Parks and Recreation Trivia hosted by President Chris Esser. Log on as a team or jump in with another virtual team to test your knowledge and compete against other conference attendees. Log in information will be sent in confirmation packet. Prizes for themed teams…use your imagination.

K E Y N OT E P R E S E N TAT I O N , J I M R A M N A R A I N E 9 : 1 5 - 1 0 : 3 0 A M

FINAL DAY OPENING - 8:45 am

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COMMUNITY GARDENS: GROWING YOUR COMMUNITY ASSET University of Minnesota Extension Jerome Krieger, Recreation Manager, City of Blaine;Laura Peterson, Executive Director, Living Earth Center - MankatoSpeakers will be available live to interact with attendees as they view a previously recorded presentation. Community gardening encourages an overall healthy lifestyle by promoting physical fitness, improving strength and flexibility, enhancing social engagement, and improving cognitive function among participants. Community gardens may also reduce barriers to healthy food associated with transportation, cost, and food preference. This session will focus on community garden management and how organizations can work with citizens to improve their experience and productivity.

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RACIAL EQUITY PART 1: UNDERSTANDING IMPLICIT BIAS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT ITRebecca Slaby, Executive Director,AMAZEworksWhat is bias? This session will explore how biases are formed and internalized, how they appear in the workplace and society, and the personal and professional cost of negative bias. Participants will also outline and practice de-biasing techniques that will help their relationships with colleagues and the community.

WHAT’S THE BUZZ ABOUT NATIVE PLANTS AND POLLINATORS?Dan Schuttle, Owner and Operator,Shoreview Natives LLC Native plants provide more than beautification to your agency’s land areas; they also provide important habitat for pollinators. This session will discuss both the ecological and economic benefits of using native plants to landscape municipal areas. This information will include the establishment of a native plant garden, maintenance strategies, and how to accomplish aesthetic, ecological, educational, and other functional goals using native plants.

10:45 am - 12 pm

O F F - S I T E I N S T I T U T E

VIRTUALEXHIBIT HALL

12 - 1 PM

We encourage attendees to visit with vendors and view their materials.

GREAT CONVERSATIONS AND PRIZES AWAIT!

32 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org 339

I N - P E R S O NN E T W O R K I N GT H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 4 ; 4 - 7 P M

MAKING CONNECTIONS THROUGH THE BENEFITS OF A MEMORY CAFÉ Lesley Young, Senior Programmer;Angie Barstad, Recreation Manager;City of Prior LakeWith the growing number of the population being diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other memory issues, a need for resources for both the person diagnosed and caregivers have risen exponentially. The Memory Cafes at Club Prior in Prior Lake help to fill this need. The cafes offer resources, support amongst those with shared experiences, and fellowship to individuals and families affected by the disease. Attendees will discover how to begin a cafe, and the beneficial outcomes for those involved.

DIRECTORS’ FORUM - THURSDAY, SEPETEMBER 24, 1 - 2:15 PMFor Agency Directors Gather with fellow directors from across the state to discuss topic areas impacting your work as agency leaders. Discussion areas will include: pandemic implications, social equity, and director-inspired topics.

HOW TO MANAGE AQUATIC FACILITIES DURING A PANDEMIC Maddy Rosewood, Aquatics Coordinator,City of Inver Grove HeightsHow has the pandemic affected your aquatic facilities? From adapting to state guidelines for social distancing to addressing capacity limitations, aquatic professionals have had to develop and re-develop reopening policies and procedures for their facilities. Whether your aquatic facility remained closed or opened with modifications, attendees will develop strategies on how to respond and adjust to aquatic needs in a time of crisis from MRPA aquatic professionals.

RACIAL EQUITY PART 2: UNPACKING THE CULTURAL ICEBERG; LOOKING DEEPER INTO BIAS AND CULTURAL NORMS Rebecca Slaby, Executive Director,AMAZEworksThe cultural iceberg helps us understand the hidden beliefs, values, norms, and behaviors of culture. This session will examine the cultural iceberg to understand how culture shows up in our work, identify our cultural biases, and examine how our cultural norms are often based in whiteness and patriarchy.

1 - 2:15 pm

2:30 - 3:45 pm

Join us for a social distance gathering of leisure games and wilderness exploration.

Explore one of America’s largest city owned parks right here in Minnesota.

Theodore Wirth Park is home to both an 18-and 9-hole golf course, biking and

hiking trails, archery, and open green space. Come join us for a night of fun in the

park, face mask to face mask. Watch for more details in your conference materials

for this will be a bonus session as COVID-19 restrictions allow.

*Subject to change based on Covid-19 limitations.

Sponsored By:

Sponsored By:

C L O S I N G K E Y N OT E P R E S E N TAT I O N , C . W I L L I M Y L E S

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SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMING FOR ADULTS WITH ASD AND LD Aaron Willis, Instruction and Learning Program Manager;Minnesota Independence College and CommunityToday, one in 59 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). One of the most significant characteristics of this disability is difficulty with social interaction. Many adults with ASD are seeking social interaction through local parks and recreation agencies. This session will present how social engagement is being taught to adults with ASD at Minnesota Independence College and Community.

CREATING COMMUNITY THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS Tim Wensman & Troy Fritz, A Couple Regular Guys; Rotary Club of St. CloudCommunity members are coming together, creating memories, and having fun in the story of this learning session. The St. Cloud Parks and Recreation’s partnership with the Rotary Club of St. Cloud has served over 900,000 guests in the nine years of Summertime by George! Come backstage to see how this community event has transpired through a unique and mutually beneficial relationship and what is the magic in its success.

SHORELINE/STREAMBANK RESTORATION & HABITAT PROJECTSGreg Berg, Lakeshed Specialist,Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictShoreline restoration and habitat improvement strategies along lakes and rivers will be identified. Have you ever wondered if native vegetation is suitable for your site and what type of environment it will create? We will provide examples with before and after information as well as best practices to implement as you complete a project.

HOW DO I MAKE MY COMMUNITY’S PARKS AND RECREATION VISION A REALITY? Gabrielle Grinde, Landscape Architect, HKGiReferendums, partnerships, grants, and other tools communities have used to improve and maintain their systems will be discussed in this session. Discover funding and implementation strategies that have been used to pay for improvements, maintenance and operations in park systems. The session will summarize recreation trends and considerations related to park dedication policies, while including information on grants to assist in positioning projects and writing successful applications.

HOW TO TRANSITION YOUR ORGANIZATION TO SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONSSusie MacMillan, Technical Services Account Management;McKinstry EssentionFacility managers are often challenged to increase revenues and decrease expenses to meet organization cost recovery goals. Utility expenses and unexpected repairs are two line items that will make or break your overall annual budget. Attendees will learn ways to shift from reactive to proactive asset management and preventative maintenance program to avoid unplanned expenses.

INTEGRATING WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS INTO PARK PROPERTIES Noah Czech, Stormwater Compliance Specialist,City of St. CloudThe City of St. Cloud’s Stormwater and Park Departments have partnered to implement numerous water quality/park improvement projects to help meet stormwater permit requirements and enhance existing park property. The session will discuss how to leverage funding and develop partnerships to meet surface water management and park goals. The presentation will detail several project examples, including parking lot improvement projects with rain gardens, and a shoreline erosion repair on a park property along the Sauk River.

V IEW ANYTIME

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SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FOR 21ST CENTURY PARKSAndrew Montgomery, Associate; Damon Farber Landscape Architects;Adjunct Professor, University of Minnesota Parks are often thought of as the antidote to urban development, providing relief from the confined and controlling circumstances of the city. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of parks and the benefits they have on human health and well-being. How can we expand and improve parks for civic use while also addressing ecological resiliency? This session will examine sustainable park design and the tools available to track landscape performance. The session will also include a case study of Water Works Park and the Convention Center Plaza in Minneapolis.

EVERYBODY PLAYS: A BEST PRACTICE GUIDE TO MULTI-GENERATIONAL DESIGN Jill Moore, Inclusive Play Specialist,John McConkey, Market Research and Insights Manager,Landscape StructuresParks are our strategic asset to increase livability, engage, and enrich all ages. Research indicates that Americans desire resources dedicated to park sites that serve both youth and older adults in order to experience vitality, combat ageist beliefs, and foster healthy age integration. Through proven best practice design elements, we can strategically use our parks and playgrounds to make our communities more livable and invest in our future selves.

MAKING SENSE OF CONSTRUCTION: UNDERSTANDING PROJECT DELIVERY AND CONTRACTING METHODS Joseph Uhlhorn, Partner/CFO, H+U Construction;Kate Lamers, Design Project Manager,Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Understanding construction project delivery and contracting methods is essential to selecting the right delivery method. Discover the difference between various construction contracts, hear project examples and describe client benefits that utilize construction management.

CULTIVATING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AND TOURISM THROUGH PARK REVITALIZATION AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMINGSam Kessel, Senior Project Landscape Architect;Bolton & Menk;Nick Egger, Public Works Director;City of Hastings;Paige Marschall Bigler, Recreation Programming Specialist;City of HastingsLearn how the City of Hastings leveraged a renovated public park to reinvigorate their community and continues to strengthen connections and tourism through programming of Levee Park. We will discuss the benefits of a community-centric design approach that brought the ownership of the park system back to the community. Communities and programming specialists may use these innovative approaches to complement your current park programming or create new community inspired programs.

MANAGING EMERALD ASH BORER (EAB) IN MINNESOTA Jonathan Osthus, Research Scientist,Minnesota Department of AgricultureEAB is having an impact on ash trees and budgets across the state. Attendees will discuss how their community can prepare for the arrival of EAB through guidance on planning, inventory, monitoring, insecticide treatments, removals/sanitation, wood utilization, and replanting with diversity. Key takeaways will include an awareness of the damage caused by EAB, the ability to recognize and report new EAB infestations, and knowledge of resources available to land managers.

SO YOU NEED TO HIRE A CONSULTANT?Ken Grieshaber, Principal,SRF Consulting Group;Michael Schroeder, Asst. Superintendent of Planning;Minneapolis Park and Recreation BoardFor many public agencies, hiring the most qualified consultants for the project can be a challenging process. Discuss approaches and techniques for writing thorough request for proposals, evaluating proposal submittals, and selecting consultants as part of the interview process.

FINANCING MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THROUGH LOCAL SALES TAX Tom Schmitz, Park and Recreation Director,City of New Ulm Park and Recreation DepartmentIn 2000 and 2016, the City of New Ulm voters approved a 0.5-percent local sales tax to fund new developments and improvements to recreational facilities. For both years, the sales tax was authorized by the State Legislature. This session will describe how to use local sales tax funding to finance large construction/development projects for your agency.

First Name________________________________ Last Name ____________________________________________

Title ____________________________________ Organization __________________________________________

Address__________________________________ City _______________________State___________ Zip ________

Phone ___________________________________ Fax__________________________________________________

Email ________________________________________________________________________________________

Payment Method Check Enclosed Check Requested Paid Online

M R PA A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C ER E G I S T R AT I O N F O R M

Early Bird Deadline: September 9, 2020 • Register online at mnrpa.org

DELEGATESMRPA MEMBER NON-MEMBER

TOTALUntil Sept. 9 After Sept. 9 Until Sept. 9 After Sept. 9

Conference PackageWednesday - Thursday

$150 $175 $225 $250

Continuing Education Units (CEU) $10 $10 $20 $20

REGISTRANT EMAIL REQUIREDEach registrant must have a valid and unique emailaddress. A separate link to access the live conferencesessions will be sent to the email address listed onMonday, September 21.

CANCELLATION POLICYCancellations accepted through September 11,minus a $25 handling fee. No refunds will be givenafter this date. Alternate attendees are permitted.

PLEASE SUBMIT PAYMENT TO

MRPA200 Charles Street NE

Fridley, MN 55432

CONFERENCE@MNRPA.ORG

MRPA Preferred Method

First Name________________________________ Last Name ____________________________________________

Title ____________________________________ Organization __________________________________________

Address __________________________________ City _______________________State ___________ Zip ________

Phone ___________________________________ Fax__________________________________________________

Email ________________________________________________________________________________________

Payment Method Check Enclosed Check Requested Paid Online

M R PA A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E R E G I S T R AT I O N F O R M

Early Bird Deadline: September 9, 2020 • Register online at mnrpa.org

DELEGATESMRPA MEMBER NON-MEMBER

TOTALUntil Sept. 9 After Sept. 9 Until Sept. 9 After Sept. 9

Conference PackageWednesday - Thursday

$150 $175 $225 $250

Continuing Education Units (CEU) $10 $10 $20 $20

REGISTRANT EMAIL REQUIREDEach registrant must have a valid and unique email address. A separate link to access the live conference sessions will be sent to the email address listed on Monday, September 21.

CANCELLATION POLICYCancellations accepted through September 11, minus a $25 handling fee. No refunds will be given after this date. Alternate attendees are permitted.

PLEASE SUBMIT PAYMENT TO

MRPA200 Charles Street NE

Fridley, MN 55432

CONFERENCE@MNRPA.ORG

MRPA Preferred Method