REA team members will join parks and recreation professionals from across the state at the Indiana Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) Annual Conference, November 4–6. The conference provides an opportunity to exchange ideas, share project experiences, and explore approaches to creating engaging parks, playgrounds, and trail systems.
REA staff and project partners will contribute to three sessions on Wednesday, November 4:
Nature Play by Design: Creating Engaging, Affordable Play Experiences with Natural Materials
November 4 | 2 p.m.
Cecil Penland will join Leslie Witkowski of St. Joseph County Parks and Amy Hayes of Hayes Arboretum to explore how natural materials can create engaging, affordable play experiences that connect children with nature.
A Playground Powered by Community
November 4 | 10:30 a.m.
Alan Rosenwinkel will join Adam Barnes of the Holliday Park Foundation to share how community support and collaboration can help bring a playground vision to life.
Creating Vibrant Trail Experiences
November 4 | 10:30 a.m.
Phil Arden will join Alysia Larson and Andy Chapman of Signworks and Hannah Baxendale of Brownsburg Parks for a panel discussion on creating vibrant trail experiences that connect people with places and strengthen communities.
Through these sessions, REA and its partners will share ideas and experiences that help communities create welcoming, accessible, and memorable outdoor spaces.
We look forward to connecting with colleagues at IPRA and continuing conversations about the future of parks and recreation in Indiana.