Ten Reasons to Join the National Recreation and Park Association

What if we told you there is a national organization dedicated to promoting healthy recreation in parks? What if your local land manager is most likely a member of this organization? And what if this organization embraces mountain biking as an integral component of parks and recreation? The National Recreation and Park Association (NPRA) is this organization and IMBA has developed a terrific relationship with them, sharing resources and working to promote sound management strategies for mountain biking. Consider this the groundwork you can use to make progress at the local level. There are a myriad of benefits gained by joining NRPA and collaborating with their staff and members.

Note the membership on your club resume and trail proposals
Chances are the land manager you're establishing a relationship with knows your state NRPA affiliate and may even be a member. It makes your club look more legit if you're both part of the same organization.
Participate in a Trails sub-committee (or help form one)
More and more, trails are coming to the forefront of discussions on parks and recreation facilities. Bring your singletrack knowledge to the table and get some quality networking in return.
Submit people/clubs for awards
Everyone loves awards. Nothing looks more impressive than recognizing your trail volunteers' hard work in front of a room of parks and recreation directors.
Take advantage of their workshops
Parks and recreation attend workshops regularly to stay on top of their profession and many are relevant to mountain bike clubs: marketing, event management, risk management, etc.
Write content for their newsletter
Many parks and recreation people think of trails as wide strips of asphalt with high price tags. Tell them about some low-cost singletrack built by volunteers at a well known park facility. Don't forget to get some positive quotes from the park management.
Take part in legislative lobby days (both state and federal)
Every year the NRPA hosts a Hike-the-Hill lobby conference in Washington DC and chances are your state participates. Jump on their coattails and add your mix of mountain bike-related issues to the much larger parks and recreation policy agenda. This is also an excellent opportunity to network with the more active parks people within your state.
Send them your press releases
They may be able to distribute them within their organization through newsletters or the Internet. Make sure you tell them about your state's IMBA grade.
Create a cut sheet that promotes mountain biking
Programming and events are a big piece of the parks and recreation puzzle. By providing information on mountain biking (e.g. the rules of the trails, where to find trail information), it's a no-brainer for them to cut-and-paste that into their regular parks brochures - and don't forget to include some pictures.
Update their policy committee chair on your legislative alerts
It's likely that they'll share the same concerns over state and federal legislation as your club. Let them know when good or bad legislation needs to be addressed. They may have an inside scoop at your state capitol along with some lobbying ability.
Schedule presentations for their annual conference
State NRPA conferences are always looking for good presentations, so why not step up? The key is to make your presentation sound attractive to parks and recreation personnel. Key words like trail-building, active lifestyles, grants, and volunteers will increase your audience size. If possible, try coordinating a workshop with the IMBA Trail Care Crew.

Help | Site Map | Copyright



	Ten Reasons to Join the National Recreation and Park Association What if we told you there is a national organization dedicated to promoting healthy recreation in parks? What if your local land manager is most likely a member of this organization? And what if this organization embraces mountain biking as an integral component of parks and recreation? The National Recreation and Park Association (NPRA) is this organization and IMBA has developed a terrific relationship with them, sharing resources and working to promote sound management strategies for mountain biking. Consider this the groundwork you can use to make progress at the local level. There are a myriad of benefits gained by joining NRPA and collaborating with their staff and members. Note the membership on your club resume and trail proposals Chances are the land manager you're establishing a relationship with knows your state NRPA affiliate and may even be a member. It makes your club look more legit if you're both part of the same organization. Participate in a Trails sub-committee (or help form one) More and more, trails are coming to the forefront of discussions on parks and recreation facilities. Bring your singletrack knowledge to the table and get some quality networking in return. Submit people/clubs for awards Everyone loves awards. Nothing looks more impressive than recognizing your trail volunteers' hard work in front of a room of parks and recreation directors. Take advantage of their workshops Parks and recreation attend workshops regularly to stay on top of their profession and many are relevant to mountain bike clubs: marketing, event management, risk management, etc. Write content for their newsletter Many parks and recreation people think of trails as wide strips of asphalt with high price tags. Tell them about some low-cost singletrack built by volunteers at a well known park facility. Don't forget to get some positive quotes from the park management. Take part in legislative lobby days (both state and federal) Every year the NRPA hosts a Hike-the-Hill lobby conference in Washington DC and chances are your state participates. Jump on their coattails and add your mix of mountain bike-related issues to the much larger parks and recreation policy agenda. This is also an excellent opportunity to network with the more active parks people within your state. Send them your press releases They may be able to distribute them within their organization through newsletters or the Internet. Make sure you tell them about your state's IMBA grade. Create a cut sheet that promotes mountain biking Programming and events are a big piece of the parks and recreation puzzle. By providing information on mountain biking (e.g. the rules of the trails, where to find trail information), it's a no-brainer for them to cut-and-paste that into their regular parks brochures - and don't forget to include some pictures. Update their policy committee chair on your legislative alerts It's likely that they'll share the same concerns over state and federal legislation as your club. Let them know when good or bad legislation needs to be addressed. They may have an inside scoop at your state capitol along with some lobbying ability. Schedule presentations for their annual conference State NRPA conferences are always looking for good presentations, so why not step up? The key is to make your presentation sound attractive to parks and recreation personnel. Key words like trail-building, active lifestyles, grants, and volunteers will increase your audience size. If possible, try coordinating a workshop with the IMBA Trail Care Crew.


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright