Funding Fitness and Playgrounds in Colorado

GameTime is pleased to announce the funding recipients of the 2019 Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Statewide Education and Funding Initiative. This is the first year for the funding and educational partnership between the CPRA, GameTime, and PlayCore.

In the educational component of the initiative, PlayCore provided CEU-qualified professional development sessions throughout Colorado to share research-based best practices in playground design and programming. This particular initiative identified strategic partnerships including schools, nonprofits, and surrounding advocates to aid in building stronger communities through the power of play.

PlayCore's Center for Outreach Research and Education provided CEU-qualified training for Colorado parks professionals, educators and landscape architects as part of the statewide initiative.

 

For the funding component of the initiative, GameTime made a commitment of up to $1.5 million in matching funds for CPRA agencies who submitted applications for assistance with the development of playground spaces that encourage best practice designs for active behavior.

Excited to Bring More Play to Colorado

“We’re happy to be in Colorado for our first year of professional development events. By providing our research, connections, and funding in these statewide initiatives, we celebrate our mission of building communities through play and recreation,” said Robert Barron, Senior Vice President at GameTime. “The training workshops provided park and recreation professionals with research and resources to create spaces that are based on best practices.

With that research, CPRA agencies are better equipped to create recreation areas that bring communities together with likeminded professionals and organizations that maximize park usage and encourage children and families to be more active together.”

Funding from GameTime will help Colorado Parks departments design play and recreation environments based on the best practices learned during the educational workshops presented by CORE.

 

Playground and FItness Funding

Funding provided by GameTime will be awarded to ten different members of CPRA to empower their agencies to create research-based play and recreation spaces to encourage healthy physical activity outdoors. Projects may include playgrounds designed to promote youth physical activity, nature and trail-based recreation environments, inclusive play spaces for people of all abilities or outdoor fitness parks for older children and adults.

 

"We know that these 10 new playgrounds are going to make such an impact in each of these communities, and we are excited to see all the research that was shared at these educational events put into action."

- Allison Kincaid, Executive Director, CPRA.

 

The following are the 2019 recipients and will be recognized at the 2020 Conference: 

Loveland Parks and Recreation North Colorado Health Alliance
Apex Park and Recreation District The Town of Frisco
City of Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation Widefield Parks and Recreation
Town of Erie Parks and Recreation Gilpin County Parks and Recreation
City and County of Broomfield Soaring Heights PK-8 PTO, Inc.

Each of the playgrounds that are funded by the initiative will be designated as National Demonstration Sites for data collection and will contribute data to highlight best practices and outcomes achieved.

 

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 gametime.com.

About PlayCore
PlayCore is a purpose-driven Company committed to building healthy 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 environments that match the unique needs of each community served. Visit playcore.com for more information.

About Colorado Parks and Recreation Association
CPRA is a dynamic, proactive organization that creates healthy residents and livable communities by promoting excellence in parks and recreation. Our mission is to promote the Parks and Recreation profession and its growth throughout the State of Colorado.