Alabama Statewide Education and Funding Initiative

This is an opportunity for you to learn the latest research, best practices, and design options for creating parks and playgrounds that activate communities, enrich childhood, and promote healthy lifestyles for people of all ages and abilities.

Growing Steadily. Funding Is Competitive.

Troy and Pike County are experiencing steady growth, bringing new opportunities on parks, schoolyards, and public spaces to serve more families, more ages, and more needs.

This session will help Troy and surrounding communities:

• Navigate the funding opportunity from GameTime
• Build inclusive, intergenerational spaces that grow with the community
• Create parks and playgrounds that encourage physical activity for people of all ages and abilities

As your community continues to evolve, your approach to play and recreation should evolve with it.

Honoring Heritage. Designing for What’s Next.

Opelika is a growing, vibrant community rooted in a strong industrial past and energized by ongoing revitalization. With a young population and increasing demand for quality public spaces, Opelika has a unique opportunity to create parks and playgrounds that support health, connection, and community pride.

This session will help you:

• Advocate for funding with data-driven support
• Design inclusive spaces that support child development
• Activate public spaces that bring families together

Communities with heart deserve spaces built with purpose.

Driven by Energy. Built for Impact.

Tuscaloosa is a dynamic city shaped by education, culture, and continuous growth. Home to a diverse and active population, Tuscaloosa is uniquely positioned to elevate its parks and public spaces to meet the needs of students, families, and residents alike.

This session will help you:

• Navigate funding opportunities, including GameTime grants
• Design flexible, inclusive spaces for a diverse community
• Activate parks and public spaces for year-round use and engagement

As the city evolves, so does the opportunity to create spaces that promote wellness, connection, and long-term community impact.

Built on Hard Work. Designed for Community. 

Fort Payne is a city rooted in manufacturing pride and hardworking values home to our production plant and many of our employees. This is a community that understands the importance of building things that last.

We’re excited to host this session at the GameTime plant and offer you the opportunity to:

• Explore funding opportunities and tour the plant
• Learn best practices in designing durable, inclusive play spaces
• Discover how to create parks and playgrounds that support long-term community impact

As your community grows, your parks can shape the story. Let’s design them intentionally.

Border Communities. Big Opportunity.

Laredo serves a young, vibrant population with enormous potential for play, fitness, and community health impact.

This session will help you:

• Advocate for funding with data-driven support

• Design inclusive spaces that support child development

• Activate public spaces that bring families together

Communities with heart deserve spaces built with purpose.

Director of Education: Programs, Partnerships & Professional Development

Jennie has worked with children and families of all abilities for more than a decade. Her formal training and experience in early childhood education, exceptional learning, special education, and assistive technology allow her to have a meaningful influence on program and product development.  Jennie is responsible for programs and partnerships that help build communities through play and she leads PlayCore's community outreach providing continuing education to professionals across the country.

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.

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Arrival & Networking Lunch

12:00 - 12:15 PM Welcome & Initiative Overview

12:15 - 1:45 PM Education Session: Supporting Community Health & Wellness

1:45 - 2:00 PM Overview of Statewide Initiative Funding Opportunity

2:00 - 2:30 PM Next Steps & Closing

Lunch, educational resources, and continuing education certifications will be provided. CEUs will be provided for a total of 2.0 Professional Development Hours (0.20 IACET CEU / 2.0 AIA HSW LU / 2.0 LA CES HSW PDH) for learners meeting outlined requirements. CEUs can be applied toward NRPA CPRP/CPRE renewal. The instructor of this learning event is employed by PlayCore and discloses interest in participants partnering with PlayCore on their play and recreation initiatives.

• Summarize three evidence-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
• Outline the collective impact findings of visitor sentiments and the usage outcomes from play and recreation projects across North America
• List five tools/resources to assist with the planning of outdoor play and recreation destinations

• Funding assistance provided by GameTime must be used towards the purchase of a qualified playground structure.
• Other freestanding play products are available at our best pricing through Omnia Partners.
• Representatives from ARPA, GameTime, and PlayCore will select qualifying projects to be considered for funding assistance.
• Orders must be installed by December 2026 through GameTime’s exclusive representatives in Alabama.
• Funding can only be applied to additional GameTime playground equipment purchases and only in conjunction with the original purchase.
• GameTime standard policies and warranties as listed in the 2025/2026 Playground Design Guide apply.
• Freight, installation, surfacing, material surcharges, and applicable sales tax are extra and not included as part of the funding program.
• To qualify for 100% matching funding assistance, the list price of the qualifying playground system must exceed $40,000 and be purchased with cash with the order.
• GameTime funding is subject to rounding rules and may vary based on qualified purchases.

• For award recipients who wish to bring fitness to their communities, separate funding assistance will be available for GT Challenge Course with the funding amounts dependent on the course selected.
• Preconfigured adult outdoor fitness packages are also available to receive funding assistance based on the packages selected.
• Contact your Alabama GameTime representative for a list of qualifying adult outdoor fitness packages.
• Freestanding playground products are available through the GameTime Omnia Partners contract.
• No other offer, discount, or special programs can be used with this funding program.
• All applications must be validated by the project administrator. GameTime reserves the right to decline any application for the ARPA funding initiative.
• Matching funds offer applies to PowerScape® (including Spire®, Altus® and Aventus® Towers), PrimeTime® (including the Odyssey®), Xscape®, and Modern City®, and The Stadium® play systems only. Up to 50% matching funds for select outdoor fitness equipment, including THRIVE®, Challenge Course, and The Stadium®