2000 Nrpa Congress And Exposition - Phoenix, Arizona

Parks & Recreation, Sept, 2000

CIVIC: PLAZA, PHOENIX, ARIZONA, OCTOBER 11-14

It hasn't taken long for the small town of Phoenix to transform itself into the nation's seventh largest city. You'll see a little bit of the old, the new, and what's yet to come when we welcome you to the 2000 National Recreation and Park Association Congress and Exposition, October 11-14, 2000. If you were here in 1990, these things weren't: Margaret T. Hance, a park built over an interstate highway tunnel; skateboard plazas; the Arizona Science Center and Phoenix History Museum alongside Phoenix's historic town site; new spring training facilities; and a private/public financed baseball stadium to accommodate one of Arizona's newest sports teams, the Diamondbacks.

But some things in Arizona haven't changed--like what we do to escape the heat. You'll find most Arizonans adjusting their fun time to night-time. People venture outside during the day's cooler times to play basketball, enjoy the greenness of a park, or head indoors to take part in rock wall climbing or computer classes.

Water is one of the most important ingredients to having fun in the desert. Once it's captured, it's put to a variety of uses. Phoenix is renovating its stretch of riverbed into a natural habitat. Lake Pleasant, a man-made lake northwest of Phoenix, is a haven for boaters and has just built a new education center on its shores. Elsewhere in Arizona, river rafting is a recreational equalizer as proven in programs for youths with disabilities and those who come from at-risk environments.

If you like the firm earth beneath your feet and enjoy a contemplative stroll or a hearty hike, there are plenty of places to visit: the Desert Botanical Gardens and Phoenix Zoo with their local and exotic flora and fauna. Get to know our desert at the South Mountain Environmental Education Center, or get a real feet during a hike in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. And we'll not forget the mystique and mysteries of the Old West saved and cherished in museums--both man-made and made by Mother Nature.

Explore our environment and culture at the Mesa Southwestern Museum; the preserved Hohokam ruins at Pueblo Grande Museum; and the newly opened Kartchner Caverns, a stunning limestone cave in southeastern Arizona.

At no time will you get a better feel for what's on the southwestern horizon than during the October 12, off-site Institute. We've packaged 11 tours of Phoenix and its neighbors to show you the "how did we do its" of dealing with the demands and pressures of our rapidly growing premier communities. In addition to all the fun, hundreds of education sessions, pre-Congress institutes, and special focus seminars will be offered to enhance the personal and professional growth of NRPA delegates. Continuing education units provide opportunities for certification, recertification, or a new experience in any number of topics related to the park, recreation, and leisure profession.

SEE YOU SOON.

INSTITUTES

THE 2000 NRPA CONGRESS & EXPOSITION FEATURES NINE PRE-CONGRESS INSTITUTES, WITH A PANEL OF EXPERT PRESENTERS SPEAKING ON TOPICS FROM PLAYGROUNDS TO AQUATIC THERAPY TO MENTOR TRAINING.

PCI #1 NRPA National Playground Safety Inspector Certification Course

Monday, October 9 8:30 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday, October 10 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 200,000 children are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms each year for injuries associated with playground equipment. How does your equipment measure up? How many preventable injuries occurred in your parks? Sponsored by the NRPA National Playground Safety Institute, this course is the most comprehensive training program on playground hazard identification and risk management methods offered.

PCI #2 Certified Playground Safety Inspector Examination

Wednesday, October 11 8:00 am - 11:00 am

This examination is offered to those individuals who register for PCI1 or for Certified Playground Safety Inspectors seeking renewal of their certification.

PCI #3 Building Benefits Based Awareness Mentor Training

Tuesday, October 10 8:00 am - 12:30pm

It all began with one! Now in it's fourth year as a comprehensive educational and awareness program, the Benefits Movement has reached new heights and has a total of three training elements with more being developed. But this is the one that started all. NPRA is proud to present the original Benefits Based Awareness Training for those who have not had the opportunity to attend before and those who want to refresh their memory. Become a part of the Benefits Movement and learn the most effective ways to spread the message that "Parks and Recreation. The Benefits are Endless ... [R]"

PCI #4 A Public Waterpark or Family Aquatic Center for your Community?

This seminar is designed to take you through the steps of converting your existing pool to a public waterpark or family aquatic center or constructing a new state-of-the art facility. From concept to dedication ceremony, all aspects of a family aquatic center will be covered. Community park and recreation agencies are finding public waterparks and family aquatic centers to be revenue producing facilities which are self-supporting and create an aquatic environment that is attracting more users, especially the whole family. Elected officials and administrators throughout the nation have expressed interest in education and training to assist them is making a decision for their particular community.