Colorado Statewide Education and Funding Initiative

CPRA Promotes Play and Recreation

Colorado's Commitment to Healthy Communities

Parks are essential to creating healthier, happier societies across generations. This interactive education symposium is designed to fuel your community’s passion for play and recreation, empower stakeholders to become champions for high quality outdoor play and recreation environments, and meet the diverse needs of children, families and communities in these modern times. CPRA, PlayCore and GameTime have partnered in a collaborative effort to improve the quality of life in communities through a statewide healthy play initiative. Attendees will be inspired by these leadership case examples, outcomes and the strategies deployed to creatively engage community members and develop partnerships. The content, resources and hands-on learning activities will offer new strategies and insight on ways to effectively champion key initiatives, increase physical activity, promote inclusion, support nature engagement and address play value to effectively impact child development. Parks and recreation is critical to building viable communities. Join us to share your vision, build your case and turn research into practice.

Submit Your Application 

Goals of the CPRA Statewide Initiative

Provide Professional Development Events

Broaden the knowledge base across the state

Presented by PlayCore master trainers, these half-day CEU workshops cover important topics such as designing inclusive play and recreation spaces, creating nature-infused and trail-based play environments, encouraging greater physical activity for children and promoting health and wellness for older teens and adults. 

Deploy Research and Outcomes Tracking

Set the standard and improve quality of life

By gaining a better understanding of how parks are used across the state of Colorado, CPRA agencies can adjust programming and usage to better serve children and families and have a greater impact on quality of life.

Develop Shared-Use Ventures

Align parks, schools and health partners

Bringing together the right partners means sharing services and increasing social capital in the process. Working as a team, we can make Colorado a happier, healthier place to live, work and play!

Provide Matching Funds Assistance

Put research into action

GameTime is awarding matching funds to qualifying agencies who submit applications after attending a CPRA statewide initiative event. Your application will include an essay that describes your community playground needs and desired outcomes. 

CPRA Statewide Initiative Timeline
  • 1. Attend Professional Development Event: October 2019
  • 2. Complete Funding Application and Essay: December 18, 2019
  • 3. Announce Statewide Funding Recipients: January 6, 2020
  • 4. Submit Play and Fitness Equipment Orders: March 30, 2020
  • 5. Ship Play and Recreation Products: May 1, 2020
  • 6. All Play and Fitness Installations Complete: July 15, 2020
  • 7. Observe and Collect Usage Data: 2020-2021
  • 8. Recognize Statewide Initiative Participants: 2020 CPRA Conference
PlayCore Professional Development Symposiums View Events

Master Trainer - Russell L. Carson, PhD

Research and Health & Wellness Advisor

Russ brings over 20 years of experience to PlayCore as a university Professor in kinesiology and public health, applied researcher, and PlayCore scholar and author of Play On! Russ is the Founding Director of the University of Northern Colorado Active Schools Institute, holds degrees in PreK-12 physical education, sport psychology, and health and kinesiology, and since 2008, has authored 19 funded projects, 60+ research publications, and 100+ international/national presentations on topics of comprehensive health and wellness in/around school and early childcare settings. Russ joins the PlayCore family from Colorado as a dedicated champion of “anything active living.”

 Submit Your Application

Session Agenda

9:00 - 9:15am: Arrival, Registration and Light Refreshments

9:15 - 9:45am: Welcome, Introductions & CPRA Statewide Initiative Partnership Overview

9:45 - 11:45am: Education Session - Words on Play: Fuel Your Community's Passion for Play and Recreation

11:45 - 12:45pm Networking Lunch & Statewide Initiative Funding Overview

12:45 - 1:45pm  Turning Research into Practice: Hands on Activities and Community Action Planning

1:45 – 2:00pm    Closing & Surveys

 Submit Your Application

Lunch and Educational Resources Provided

Each educational event includes lunch and all educational materials covered in the session, including research and evidence-based guidebooks and curriculum from leading play researchers and universities.

 Submit Your Application

Accreditation and CEUs

CEUs will be provided at each professional development symposium at not cost. PlayCore is accredited to award CEUs for a total of 3 Professional Development Hours / .3 IACET / 3 LU AIA / 3 PDH LA CES. Learners receiving CEUs must meet the criteria for participation and achievement of learning objectives. For more information regarding this event or CEUs contact core@playcore.com

 Submit Your Application
Professional Development Learning Objectives
  • Develop advocacy messages to champion essential roles play and recreation have in building a healthier, happier society.
  • Apply research-based design best practices to create high-quality outdoor play and recreation destinations.
  • Discuss model projects, positive community outcomes and strategies to engage communities, develop partnerships and seek potential funding for play and recreation destinations that intentionally focus on inclusion, physical activity and/or nature engagement.
GameTime Funding Initiative Submit Your Application

Up to 100% Matching Funds for Play Systems

Communities who are awarded funds as part of the CPRA Statewide Initiative can apply their funding award toward the purchase of PowerScape, PrimeTime, Xscape and IONiX play systems.

 View Play Systems

Additional Funds for Challenge Course Available

Create a multigenerational fitness destination in your parks with Challenge Course. CPRA Statewide Initiative funds can be applied to the purchase of Challenge Course Pro Series.

 View Courses

Up to $12,000 in Funds for Outdoor Fitness Equipment

Help adults in your community stay more active and achieve their health and wellness goals. CPRA Statewide Initiative funds can be applied to these Outdoor Fitness Packages.

 View Outdoor Fitness
Information, Terms and Conditions Download Flyer