IPRA Calendar
IPRA Calendar
School Age & Day Camp Committee Meeting
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Located within IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, the School Age & Day Camp Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around before-and-after school programs and camps. If you are ...
Lunch & Learn: Greenhouse to Ground: How Air Root Pruning Builds Stronger Trees for Parks and Forest Preserves
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
How can we prepare for a successful transplant on our site? Join Goodmark Nurseries to discover how air pruning supports the development of more resilient roots.
Social Media Task Force Roundtable: Content That Makes The Cut
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Hosted by IPRA's Communications & Marketing (C&M) Section, the Social Media Task Force covers content strategy, best practices, platform updates, analytics, engagement tactics, accessibility, emerging trends, and much more. If you are interested in joinin
Inclusion Committee Meeting
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Located within IPRA's Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Section, the Inclusion Committee consists of a group of special recreation professionals that either specialize or work in and around inclusion services. The meeting will consist of networking opportunities
The Courage to Be Unfair: Promoting Equity
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Often, inequity is the unintentional biproduct of decision making focused on short term satisfaction or making a special interest group happy and can often come at the expense of those who can go unnoticed or unheard. Good intention may not ...
Diversity Section Board Meeting
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
IPRA's Diversity (DIV) Section consists of professionals aiming to expand the knowledge base and emphasize the importance of diversity in Parks, Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation and Forest Preserves. The Board Meeting will mainly consist of reports from
Agency Showcase 2025
The Agency Showcase is a spirited competition spotlighting bright ideas exhibited by park, recreation and conservation agencies. This professionally judged competition recognizes Illinois agencies for their marketing and communication efforts ...
2026 Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course - Spring A
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The CPSI course is a national certification program delivered by National Recreation and Park Association and co-hosted by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. It is designed to train individuals on how to identify hazards on public ...
SDWS : Connected Communities: Turning Purposeful Outreach into Real Results
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Strong organizations and successful careers are built on consistent community outreach, meaningful relationships, and a clear sense of purpose.
SDWS : Connected Communities: Turning Purposeful Outreach into Real Results
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Strong organizations and successful careers are built on consistent community outreach, meaningful relationships, and a clear sense of purpose.
2026 Aquatic Facility Operator Course - Spring
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) course is a national certification program offered by the National Recreation and Park Association and hosted by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. The program is designed to provide the most ...
2026 Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course - Spring B
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The CPSI course is a national certification program delivered by National Recreation and Park Association and co-hosted by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. It is designed to train individuals on how to identify hazards on public ...
SDWS : AI in Parks and Recreation: What's Next
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how park and recreation agencies plan, operate, and engage with their communities.
SDWS : AI in Parks and Recreation: What's Next
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how park and recreation agencies plan, operate, and engage with their communities.
SDWS : Building a Learning Organization
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Successful teams don’t happen by chance—they thrive in environments that accelerate competence and encourage continuous growth.
SDWS : Building a Learning Organization
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Successful teams don’t happen by chance—they thrive in environments that accelerate competence and encourage continuous growth.
SDWS : Doing More with Less - Collaboration Is the Key to Success
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Budget cuts, staffing shortages, and growing community needs are realities for many park and recreation professionals. The good news? Collaboration can turn limited resources into expanded impact.
SDWS : Doing More with Less - Collaboration Is the Key to Success
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Budget cuts, staffing shortages, and growing community needs are realities for many park and recreation professionals. The good news? Collaboration can turn limited resources into expanded impact.
SDWS : Breaking Down Barriers: Understanding and Addressing Ableism in Customer Service
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
More than one in four Americans lives with a disability — some visible, many not. Yet ableism, or bias against people with disabilities, often appears in ways we don’t even recognize
SDWS : Breaking Down Barriers: Understanding and Addressing Ableism in Customer Service
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
More than one in four Americans lives with a disability — some visible, many not. Yet ableism, or bias against people with disabilities, often appears in ways we don’t even recognize
SDWS : Critical Thinking: Making Decisions That Stick
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Practical thinking requires curiosity, perspective, and new approaches to problem-solving. The good news? Critical thinking is a skill anyone can learn.
8th Annual Unplug Illinois Day
The 8th Annual Unplug Illinois Day is Saturday, July 11, 2026 – join park, recreation, and conservation agencies state-wide in planning an event to highlight the programs and facilities that make your community thrive! Unplug Illinois promotes the ...
SDWS : Critical Thinking: Making Decisions That Stick
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Practical thinking requires curiosity, perspective, and new approaches to problem-solving. The good news? Critical thinking is a skill anyone can learn.
SDWS : Building Trust & Collaboration Across Generations
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
In today’s parks and recreation teams, five generations work side by side — each bringing unique strengths, values, and communication styles.
SDWS : Building Trust & Collaboration Across Generations
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
In today’s parks and recreation teams, five generations work side by side — each bringing unique strengths, values, and communication styles.
SDWS : Staying Positive in a Negative World: Practical Strategies for Leading with Calm, Credibility, and Optimism
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
In an era of constant change, conflict, and public scrutiny, maintaining a positive outlook can be one of a leader’s greatest challenges — and most powerful tools.
SDWS: Staying Positive in a Negative World: Practical Strategies for Leading with Calm, Credibility, and Optimism
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
In an era of constant change, conflict, and public scrutiny, maintaining a positive outlook can be one of a leader’s greatest challenges — and most powerful tools.
SDWS : Keep Cool Under Pressure
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Amid uncertainty and rising public incivility, maintaining composure has never been more essential for today’s professionals.
SDWS : Keep Cool Under Pressure
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Amid uncertainty and rising public incivility, maintaining composure has never been more essential for today’s professionals.
SDWS : The Bison Principle: Courage, Clarity, and Stewardship
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
When storms approach, bison don’t run away—they face the wind and move through it together. The Bison Principle applies that instinct to the challenges of modern public service.
SDWS : The Bison Principle: Courage, Clarity, and Stewardship
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
When storms approach, bison don’t run away—they face the wind and move through it together. The Bison Principle applies that instinct to the challenges of modern public service.
SDWS : Shift Happens! Building Resilient Systems for a Changing Future
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
The pace and scale of change today are unlike anything we've experienced before. Economic volatility, demographic diversification, technological acceleration, and environmental disruption are reshaping the landscape of public service.