California Statewide Education and Funding Initiative

CPRS Healthy Play Initiative

Parks Make Life Better!  

Parks are essential to creating healthier, happier societies across generations. This interactive education symposium is designed to fuel your community’s passion for play and recreation, empower stakeholders to become champions for high quality outdoor play and recreation environments, and meet the diverse needs of children, families and communities in these modern times. Over the past several years, CPRS, PlayCore and GameTime have partnered in a collaborative effort to improve the quality of life in communities through a statewide healthy play initiative. Attendees will be inspired by these leadership case examples, outcomes and the strategies deployed to creatively engage community members and develop partnerships. The content, resources, hands-on learning activities and park site visits will offer new strategies and insight on ways to effectively champion key initiatives, increase physical activity, promote inclusion, support nature engagement and address play value to effectively impact child development. Parks and recreation is critical to building viable communities. Join us to share your vision, build your case and turn research into practice.

Funding applications are now open. APPLY HERE.

Stephanie Stephens - Executive Director, California Parks and Recreation Society "Play brings communities together. We’re excited to share how Parks Make Life Better®, share state-wide training, and help local communities put research into action!”
Goals of the CPRS Statewide Initiative

Provide Professional Development Events

Broaden the knowledge base across the state

Presented by PlayCore master trainers, these half-day CEU workshops cover important topics such as designing inclusive play and recreation spaces, creating nature-infused and trail-based play environments, encouraging greater physical activity for children and promoting health and wellness for older teens and adults. Our June events have ended, and funding applications are now open. Apply here.

Deploy Research and Outcomes Tracking

Set the standard and improve quality of life

By gaining a better understanding of how parks are used across the state of California, CPRS agencies can adjust programming and usage to better serve children and families and have a greater impact on quality of life.

Develop Joint Use Ventures

Align parks, schools and health partners

Bringing together the right partners means sharing services and increasing social capital in the process. Working as a team, we can make California a happier, healthier place to live, work and play!

Provide Matching Funds Assistance

Put research into action

GameTime is awarding matching funds to qualifying agencies who submit applications after attending a CPRS statewide initiative event. Your application will include an essay that describes your community playground needs and desired outcomes. 

Submit your funding application online

CPRS Statewide Initiative Timeline
  • 1. Attend Professional Development Event: June 2019
  • 2. Complete Funding Application and Essay: August 9, 2019
  • 3. Announce Statewide Funding Recipients: September 3, 2019
  • 4. Submit Play and Fitness Equipment Orders: November 15, 2019
  • 5. Ship Play and Recreation Products: December 27, 2019
  • 6. All Play and Fitness Installations Complete: March 13, 2020
  • 7. Observe and Collect Usage Data: 2020-2021
  • 8. Recognize Statewide Initiative Participants: 2020 CPRS Conference & Expo
PlayCore Professional Development Symposiums View Events

Master Trainer - Jennie Sumrell, M.Ed

Director of Education: Programs, Partnerships & Professional Development

Jennie has worked with children and families of all abilities for nearly ten years. 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.

 Submit Your Funding Application

Session Agenda

9:30am-9:45am: Arrival, Registration, Light Refreshments

9:45am-10am: CPRS Statewide Initiative Overview

10am-11:30am: Education Session: Words on Play: Fuel Your Community's Passion for Play and Recreation

11:30am-12pm: Lunch & Funding Opportunity Overview

12pm-1:15pm: Hands On Activities/Park Site Visit

1:15pm-1:30pm: Survey and Closing

 Submit Your Funding Application

Lunch and Educational Resources Provided

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.

 Submit Your Funding Application

Accreditation and CEUs

CEUs will be awarded at each professional development symposium. PlayCore is accredited to award continuing education certifications by AIA, IACET and LA/CES. CEUs awarded at these events: 2.5 Professional Development Hours, .25 IACET /2.5 LU AIA/ 2.5 PDH LA/CES

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Professional Development Learning Objectives
  • Develop advocacy messages to champion essential roles play and recreation have in building a healthier, happier society.
  • Apply research-based design best practices to create high-quality outdoor play and recreation destinations.
  • Discuss model projects, positive community outcomes and strategies to engage communities, develop partnerships and seek potential funding for play and recreation destinations that intentionally focus on inclusion, physical activity and/or nature engagement.
GameTime Funding Initiative Submit Your Funding Application

Up to 100% Matching Funds for Play Systems

Communities who are awarded funds as part of the CPRS Statewide initiative can apply their funding award toward the purchase of PowerScape, PrimeTime, Xscape and IONiX play systems.

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Additional Funds for Challenge Course Available

Create a multigenerational fitness destination in your parks with Challenge Course. CPRS Statewide Initiative funds can be applied to the purchase of Challenge Course Pro or Youth Series.

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Up to $12,000 in Funds for Outdoor Fitness Equipment

Help adults in your community stay more active and achieve their health and wellness goals. CPRS Statewide Initiative funds can be applied to these Outdoor Fitness Packages.

 View Outdoor Fitness
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