Ohio’s Commitment to Healthy Communities
OPRA, PlayCore, GameTime, and DWA Recreation have joined forces through the Statewide Healthy Play Initiative to enrich the quality of life in communities across Ohio. At the heart of this effort is OPRA’s mission to bring people together, support park and recreation professionals, champion investment in community spaces, and ensure strong leadership so that parks and programs can continue to enrich lives across Ohio.
This partnership provides quality education, evidence-based resources, and funding opportunities to help communities in Ohio create healthy, inclusive play and recreation spaces.
Statewide Education
Join us for interactive professional development events that will provide training experiences about how play and recreation are essential to creating healthier, happier communities. Ideal for parks and recreation professionals, landscape architects, educators, and other play advocates, these education events, and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are being offered at no cost through PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research, and Education.
Funding
GameTime is offering funding to OPRA members to establish National Demonstration Sites that prioritize inclusion, nature integration, physical activity, and adult fitness.
Funding applications are due by January 16th, 2026.
Outcomes and Data Collection
Data collection, outcomes sharing, and impact reports will further champion parks and recreation as an essential contributor to improving the quality of life for children, families, and communities in Ohio. Awardees will assist in data collection and reporting that will be shared with OPRA and their members to create awareness, support advocacy efforts, and further the goals and mission of OPRA.
Goals of the OPRA Statewide Initiative
Provide Professional Development Events
Broaden the knowledge base across the state
Presented by PlayCore master trainers, the 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.
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 Ohio, OPRA 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 Ohio a happier, healthier place to live, work, and play!
Provide Matching Funds Assistance
Put research into action
GameTime is awarding funding assistance to qualifying agencies that submit applications after attending an OPRA statewide initiative event. Your application will include an essay that describes your community playground needs and desired outcomes.
OPRA Statewide Initiative Timeline
- Join a professional development event in November
- Apply for Matching Funds by January 16th , 2026.
- Awardees will be notified by February 6th, 2026.
- Accepted Application Project installed by December 2026
- Awardees will be recognized at the OPRA Conference & Tradeshow in 2027
Master Trainer
Jennie Sumrell, M.Ed
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.
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.
Session Agenda
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
Accreditation and CEUs
CEUs will be provided for a total of 1.5 Professional Development Hours (0.15 IACET CEU / 1.5 AIA HSW LU / 1.5 LA CES HSW PDH) for learners meeting outlined requirements. The instructor of this learning event is employed by PlayCore and discloses an interest in participants partnering with PlayCore on their play and recreation initiatives.
Professional Development Learning Objectives
- 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
Terms and Conditions
- 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 OPRA, 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 Ohio.
- 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 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 Ohio 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 OPRA 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®.