New Jersey Recreation and Park Association

NJRPA had the honor of attending a surprise celebration of NJRPA Past President and Ess*x County Parks and Recreation Director, Daniel Salvante. He has been in his current role for 28 years and today they wanted him to know how much they appreciate him! He now has a bronze bust sculpture at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center in Branch Brook Park- stop by and take a look! Congratulations on all your accomplishments and future ones!

Stop by American Dream and make a wish in the Fountain! This was a special surprise to NJRPA this month! Thank you, American Dream. Together we are making a difference!

Link to our Employment page for more information.
http://njrpa.org/sys/website/?pageId=18218

You can look forward to more preserved land now that the state is instituting the Corporate Transit Fee to fund NJ Transit with the added benefit of funding open space initiatives through the CBT constitutional dedication. This is a huge win that would not have been possible without the advocacy of environmental orgs, transit and social justice orgs, community members, and activists.

Scan the QR code to win a FREE registration to attend the NJRPA/NAYS Academy for Youth Sports Administrators Prep Session to earn the Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA) designation (a $450 value). The Academy Prep Session will be held at the Summit Community Center on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. A winner will be chosen in early August and notified by email. Discounted registration is OPEN via njrpa.org.

The NJRPA office will be closed July 4th and 5th in observance with Independence Day.

New N.J. Boating Laws Place Regulations on Jet-Skis, Wakeboarding and Towing Two New Jersey boating regulations recently signed into law for the 2024 summer season will be enforced over the upcoming holiday weekend, state police announced Tuesday. The laws, each separate, pertain to the operation of personal watercraft – commonly called Jet-Skis – as well as any vessel t...

Last week, Kat had the honor of sharing and learning from the Council of State Executive Directors!

The NJSSA, New Jersey Recreation and Park Association, and Dolfin Swimwear Bathing Suit Drive is underway!

Today NJSSA Board Member Judith Leblein Josephs dropped off bathing suits, lifejackets, and swim diapers at the Kroc Center - Camden.

Bathing suits lead to swim lessons and swim lessons save lives!

There is still time to get involved. More bathing suits are needed. Contact [email protected] to get involved.

In the picture: Dawn Garlic, Major Richard Sanchez, Roman Brooks, Judith Leblin Josephs, and Benjamin Ovadia

Today’s Officers Installation was a wonderful gathering of park and recreation members, commercial members and friends! Congratulations to our 2024-2025 newly installed Executive Board! Thank you to our Premier Sponsor, Ben Shaffer Recreation, Executive Sponsor, Musco Lighting and our Contributing Sponsors, General Recreation, ACR, Boyce Recreation, Fun Time Services, Winning Teams by Nissel and Gill ID Systems!

For more than 50 years, our annual conference has been the premier meeting of the park and recreation community.

Attendees get an inside look at the latest products and services at our interactive Exhibit Hall, have the chance to connect with colleagues and experts in the field, and have access to hundreds of CEU sessions.

Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/45agyvp

*** Nominations Close on June 7, 2024***
It’s time to celebrate and nominate an unsung hero, a legendary leader, a guardian of nature for the esteemed Pugsley Medal in Parks and Conservation.
Each year, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Park Foundation and Davey Expert Tree Inc. honors an individual(s) for their role in shaping the future of parks and conservation with the Honorable Cornelius Pugsley Medal.
The medal was established in 1929 by Chester D. Pugsley and stands as a prestigious recognition within the realm of parks and conservation. This award holds immense value in acknowledging outstanding contributions to the preservation and enhancement of our natural environments and honors individuals whose tireless efforts have significantly advanced parks and conservation at the local, state or national levels.
The Pugsley Medal will be awarded October 9, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia at the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration’s annual award dinner, held in conjunction with the National Recreation and Park Association’s annual conference.
To submit a nomination and learn more about past recipients of The Honorable Cornelius Amory Pugsley Medal visit the American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration website at
aapra.org/Awards/Pugsley-Medal.

Congratulations Winners!

As we pay tribute to the incredible men and women who've served our country this Memorial Day, let's also make sure we're keeping our families safe around the water.

Heading to the pool or beach this weekend? Here are some friendly reminders for your holiday: - Wear life jackets when you're going to be in or around natural bodies of water, especially young children. - Always buddy up – no solo swims! - Keep a close eye on the kids – no distractions. Use the 5 Layers of Protection: 1. Barriers and alarms 2. Supervision 3. Water Competency 4. Life Jackets 5. Emergency Preparation Download a Water Watcher Card! It's a great way to ensure someone is always on duty, keeping eyes on the water.https://ndpa.org/wsst/Printables/WaterWatcherCard-NDPA.pdf

Thank you so much to Star News Group - The Coast Star | The Ocean Star | Starnewsgroup.com and Alex Dyer for the article about our bathing suit drive.

Want to get involved? Email [email protected]

Bathing suits lead to swim lessons and swim lessons save lives!

Delegate Registration is Now Open!
Keep in mind, you can register today for the Conference and pay later with a Purchase Order, Check or Credit Card.
Group Rate Cut Off for Harrah’s Hotel is February 1st.
Secure your rooms today! Information for reservations is located in the Schedule and Registration Brochure and on the Conference homepage.
Please Click this link for the Schedule and Registration Brochurehttps://www.njrpa.org/resources/Documents/NJRPA%2024%20Schedule%20and%20Registration%20FINAL%2012.6.23.pdf
Please Click this link for the Invitation to Exhibit Brochurehttps://www.njrpa.org/resources/Documents/NJRPA%2024%20Invitation%20to%20Exhibit%2011.7.23%20FINAL.pdf

Welcome to our newest professional Members!

Neil Riley, Public Works Director for the County of Cumberland. Reach Neil at [email protected]

Amy Dempsey, Program Coordinator for the Pequannock Parks & Recreation. Reach Amy at [email protected]

Laurie Stepper, Recreation Director for the Borough of Mountain Lakes. Reach Laurie at [email protected]

Juliana Baumann, Recreation Assistant for Princeton Recreation Department. Reach Juliana at [email protected]

Paul Johannemann, Recreation Director for the Borough of Wanaque Municipal Offices. Reach Paul at [email protected]