South Carolina Promotes Play and Recreation Statewide Funding and Training Initiative

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Jan. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- South Carolina Recreation and Park Association (SCRPA), PlayCore, GameTime, and Cunningham Recreation are aligning resources and strategically partnering to promote best practices in parks and recreation, provide quality education, and arm communities with evidence-based resources.

Parks are essential to creating healthier, happier societies across generations. Complimentary professional development events hosted by PlayCore's Center for Outreach, Research & Education (CORE) will be held starting March 24-26 at three locations across South Carolina. These interactive education symposiums will help participants effectively fuel their community's passion for play and recreation and empower stakeholders to become champions for high quality outdoor play and recreation environments that meet the diverse needs of children, families, and communities in these modern times.

Attendees will be inspired by unique design and program innovations, leadership case examples, and strategies to creatively consider the needs and goals of their community. The content and hands-on learning activities will equip participants in developing strong advocacy messages of how investing in parks and recreation positively impacts the quality of life in communities across South Carolina.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop advocacy messages describing why play and recreation is essential to a healthier and happier society.
• Apply research-based design best practices to create high-quality outdoor play and recreation destinations.
• Discuss model projects, positive community outcomes, and the health and wellness benefits of inclusion, physical activity, and nature.

While CORE provides statewide professional development services, GameTime, a leading playground designer/manufacturer, will provide up to $2M million in matching funds to assist parks and recreation departments who are members of SCRPA create play and recreation destinations. These sites will be thoroughly reviewed to align with research-based best practices. These projects will serve as National Demonstration Sites (NDS) and as national models for promoting physical activity, fitness, nature engagement, and/or inclusion, and opportunities to participate in data collection and demonstrate community outcomes through an on-site sign with a research QR code.
Each of the four symposiums are designed for mid to upper-level professionals in the fields of park and recreation, landscape architecture, and education. The sessions will offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for professionals and promise to be lively, informative, and educational. Lunch and educational resources will be provided by GameTime and Cunningham Recreation.

To learn more about this partnership and ways to attend the events, please visit: https://www.playcore.com/events/scrpa-promotes-play-recreation

About PlayCore:

PlayCore is a purpose driven Company committed to building stronger communities around the world by advancing play and recreation. The company infuses scholarly learning, through its Center for Outreach, Research, and Education, into its comprehensive family of brands. PlayCore combines best-in-class educational programming with the most comprehensive portfolio of play and recreation products and services to create tailored solutions that match the unique needs of each community served. Learn more at https://www.playcore.com.

About GameTime:
GameTime is a leading manufacturer of commercial playgrounds, custom play spaces and outdoor fitness equipment. Headquartered in Fort Payne, Alabama, and with distribution around the world, GameTime has been dedicated to enriching childhood through play since our founding in 1929, and we work with community partners to demonstrate Play Has No Limit®.

Learn more at http://www.gametime.com.

About Cunningham Recreation:

Cunningham Recreation is proud to serve as GameTime's exclusive representative in South Carolina. Cunningham Recreation has been providing commercial playground equipment and park products since 1966. From neighborhoods to municipal parks, we've built thousands of playgrounds for kids of all ages. We build memories that last!

About SCRPA:

The South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the professional development of its members and advocacy for parks, recreation and tourism opportunities in South Carolina.

SOURCE PlayCore