Putting Research Into Action

GameTime is pleased to announce the funding recipients of the 2018 Virginia Recreation and Park Society State-Wide Play and Recreation Initiative. This initiative combined educational sessions throughout the state of Virginia with a funding assistance program to help park and recreation departments put research and education into action with new play and recreation projects. 

In the educational component of the initiative, PlayCore provided CEU-qualified professional development sessions throughout Virginia to share research-based best practices in playground design and programming. For the funding component of the initiative, GameTime made a commitment of up to $1.5-million in matching funds for VPRS agencies who submitted applications for assistance with the development of playground spaces that encourage best practice designs for active behavior.

“This is our first educational and funding initiative throughout the state of Virginia. At the heart of the program was educational training and professional development provided by our parent company, PlayCore,” said Robert Barron, Senior Vice President at GameTime. “The training workshops provided park and recreation professionals with research and resources to create spaces that are based on best practices. With that research, VRPS agencies are better equipped to create recreation areas that maximize park usage and encourage children and families to be more active together.”

Each of the playgrounds that are funded by the initiative will be designated as National Demonstration Sites for data collection, and will contribute data toward outcomes reporting that will be shared with VRPS and their members at the 2018 VRPS Conference.

Jim Stutts, Executive Director of VRPS commented, “We’re thrilled to bring new play and recreation opportunities throughout the state of Virginia. Congratulations to the 20 recipients for receiving funds toward their National Demonstration Sites.”

The funding recipients* and future National Demonstration Site designations are:

• City of Norfolk Recreation Parks & Open Space
• City of Suffolk Parks and Recreation
• Covington Parks & Recreation
• Fairfax County Park Authority
• Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism
• Highlands Community Services Board
• Hopewell Recreation and Parks
• Kids = Play for Centennial Park
• New Kent Parks and Recreation
• Roanoke County Parks and Recreation
• Stafford County Parks and Recreation
• Town of Christiansburg
• Town of Coeburn
• Town of Floyd
• Town of Leesburg Parks and Recreation  
• Town of Warrenton Parks Recreation
• City of Falls Church Recreation and Parks

*The specific funding amounts for each of these projects will be determined once designs are completed and approved by the related agencies.