ALL ASSOCIATION NEWS

4/23/2021

Barry Franks Named IPRA Interim Executive Director

Barry has been with the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) since 2009 as Finance Director.
2/3/2021

Park and Recreation Agency Excellence Recognized at 2021 Annual Conference

On January 28, 2021, during the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Virtual Conference, the Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) honored several park and recreation agencies for excellence.
2/3/2021

Town of Normal Parks & Recreation Director Installed as 2021 Chair of IPRA

The Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) has installed Doug Damery, Director of Parks & Recreation for the Town of Normal, as its 2021 Chair of the Board of Directors.
2/2/2021

Glenview Park District Employee Recognized at IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference

IPRA honored Todd Price from the Glenview Park District, for his commitment and excellent service to parks and recreation in Illinois.
2/2/2021

Skokie Park District Recognized for Diversity and Inclusion Efforts

On January 28, 2021, IPRA awarded the Skokie Park District with the first ever Champions for Change Award, honoring their commitment to diversity and inclusion.
2/2/2021

Lifetime Achievement Award Presented to McHenry County Conservation District Leader

IPRA honored Elizabeth Kessler, Executive Director of the McHenry County Conservation District, for her commitment and lifetime of service to parks, recreation, and conservation in Illinois.
11/9/2020

2021 IPRA Election Results Announced

IPRA Announces election results for 2021 Board of Directors and Section Leadership Positions.
10/28/2020

IPRA Executive Director Named Vice Chair of the National Association of Park Foundations

The National Association of Park Foundations (NAPF) has named Debbie Trueblood, CAE, Executive Director of the Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) as Vice Chair of NAPF’s Board of Directors.
10/6/2020

IPRA Names Trisha Breitlow 2021 Chair-Elect

Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) Names Maine-Niles Association Special Recreation (M-NASR) Executive Director as 2021 Chair-Elect
8/10/2020

Illinois Park & Recreation Association Receives National Award

The Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) has been awarded the ASAE Power of A Silver Award, for its 75 Conversations Tour.
5/21/2020

IPRA Announces New Board of Directors Member

IPRA has appointed Lisa Sheppard, CPRP, Executive Director of the Glencoe Park District, to serve as the Chicago Metro Representative to IPRA’s Board of Directors.
3/13/2020

Announcing 2020 Chair of Illinois Park & Recreation Association

The Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) has installed Erin Folk, Executive Director of the Oregon Park District, as its 2020 Chair of the Board.
2/19/2020

IPRA Announces $25,000 Grants in Partnership with National Fitness Campaign

IPRA, IPRF and the National Fitness Campaign (NFC) are now offering $25,000 grants to ten Illinois park and recreation agencies (with at least one IPRA member) to join and launch the Fitness Court and NFC initiative.
2/3/2020

Park & Recreation Agency Excellence Recognized at 2020 Annual Conference

On January 24, 2020, during the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, the Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) honored several park and recreation agencies.
1/31/2020

Professional Excellence Recognized at 2020 IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference

IPRA recently honored Sandy Gbur, Executive Director at the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, for her commitment and excellent service to parks and recreation in Illinois
1/31/2020

Lifetime Achievement Award Presented to Rolling Meadows Park District Leader

IPRA recently honored Amy Charlesworth, Executive Director of the Rolling Meadows Park District, for her commitment and lifetime of service to parks and recreation in Illinois.
1/31/2020

Park District of Oak Park Staff Awarded for Professionalism at IAPD/IPRA Conference

IPRA recently honored Michael Loszach, Program Manager at the Park District of Oak Park, for his commitment and excellent service to parks and recreation in Illinois.
1/16/2020

Park & Recreation Professionals and Elected Officials Head to Chicago for Conference

Over 4,000 employees and elected officials from the Illinois park and recreation field will convene at the Hyatt Regency Chicago from January 23-25 for the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights conference.
12/3/2019

IPRA Donates Bikes to 360 Youth Services

Illinois Park & Recreation Association Donates Bikes to 360 Youth Services
11/11/2019

2020 IPRA Election Results Announced

IPRA Announces election results for 2020 Board of Directors and Section Leadership Positions.
11/1/2019

American Ninja Warrior’s ‘Deaf Ninja’ to Speak at Chicago Conference

The Illinois Park & Recreation Association is thrilled to have Kyle Schulze speak as a headliner of our ‘Inspire’ track of professional development workshops at the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference in January 2020.
10/11/2019

Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) Names 2020 Chair-Elect

La Grange – The Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) has elected Doug Damery, Director of Parks & Recreation for the Town of Normal, Illinois, as its 2020 Chair-Elect.
8/8/2019

IPRA Named Finalist for Platinum PR Awards

IPRA has been named a finalist in the Anniversary category of the Platinum PR Awards!
7/1/2019

2019 Six-County Senior Games to Begin in July!

Summer is here, which means it’s time to get out and discover the great things happening at your local parks and recreation agency.
6/28/2019

Celebrate Park and Recreation Month by participating in Unplug Illinois Day!

On Saturday, July 13, 2019, we encourage people across Illinois to ditch their electronic devices and "unplug" to enjoy everything that their local park and recreation agencies have to offer!
5/2/2019

IPRA Welcomes New Membership & Website Manager

Lynn Rotunno will join the Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) on May 6, 2019 as its Membership & Website Manager.
4/16/2019

CEO and Founder of GreenPlay, LLC Keynotes 2019-20 Leadership Academy

In 2012, The Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) launched its Leadership Academy, an intensive program that benefits park and recreation professionals, regardless of what stage they are in their career.
2/1/2019

Marketing & Communication Excellence Recognized at Annual Conference

During the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, the Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) honored several park and recreation agencies for excellence in their marketing and communication efforts.
2/1/2019

Park & Recreation Agency Excellence Recognized at Annual Conference

On January 25, 2019, during the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, the Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) honored several park and recreation agencies for excellence in the following areas.
2/1/2019

Professional Excellence Recognized at IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference

The Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) honored several individuals for their commitment and excellent service to parks and recreation in Illinois.
1/31/2019

Vernon Hills Park District Executive Director Named 2019 Chair of IPRA

The Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) has installed Jeff Fougerousse, Executive Director of the Vernon Hills Park District, as its 2019 Chairman of the Board at the association's annual conference, held January 24-26 at the Hy
1/29/2019

2019 Annual Conference Awards

A complete list of all 2019 Annual Conference Award winners.
11/13/2018

Election Results Announced for IPRA Board of Directors and Section Leadership Positions

The Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) is pleased to announce the election results for positions with the IPRA Board of Directors, as well as numerous leadership positions within the Section Boards.
10/23/2018

IPRA Names 2019 Chair Elect

The Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) has elected Erin Folk, Executive Director of the Oregon Park District, as its 2019 Chair-Elect.
7/20/2018

July is National Parks & Recreation Month

Summer is here, which means it’s time to get out and discover the great things happening at your local parks and recreation agency.
7/18/2018

Hundreds of Active Adults Participate in 37th Annual Six-County Senior Games

At 100 years young, Don Savage from Chicago’s northwest side has been participating in the Annual Six-County Senior Games for over 25 years.