Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute

The 2017 SWPRTI Park Planning and Maintenance Academy was a success! We are looking forward to the 2018 PPMA when we offer the Year 2 curriculum to returning students and the Year 1 curriculum to new students.

August 1-3, 2018

A welcome reception for attendees will be held on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, Aurora, Colorado. Early check-in will also be available that night.

Registrations for Year 1 and Year 2 is now open. Click the appropriate link below.

REGISTER HERE FOR YEAR 1

REGISTER HERE FOR YEAR 2

Location/Lodging

Just off I-225, this modern hotel is 5 miles from the Aurora History Museum, walking/biking distance to Cherry Creek Reservoir State Park, close to Meadow Hills Golf Course, minutes from downtown Denver and 23 miles from Denver International Airport.

The airy, informal rooms and suites come with flat-screen TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi and coffeemakers. Suites add microwaves, mini-fridges, and separate sitting areas with pull-out sofas. Kids aged 17 and under stay free with a paying adult. Free perks include parking, airport shuttle, and complimentary full breakfast buffet. There is also a seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub, a 24-hour exercise room, and a casual lounge bar and restaurant, as well as a business center. Our shuttle can also be accessed for local restaurants within a 5-mile radius for those without individual transportation.

Reservations for the hotel can not be made until on or after March 1, 2018.

To Make Your Hotel Reservation, You can go online and follow these steps:

Go to Radisson.com/denverco
Input arrival and departure dates
Click More Search Options Button and enter Promo Code: SWPRT2
Click search and your special rate will appear!

Call 1 (800) 967-9033

Ask for block code 1807SWPRTI or mention you are attending the SWPRTI Park Planning and Maintenance Academy for the special rate of $109 per night double occupancy.

If you have any problems or questions you can contact , Sales Manager Alysha Gallegos at (303) 306-3329.

View Larger Map / Get Directions

For more information about the Radisson Hotel - Denver Southeast, please visit the Official Radisson Hotel Denver Southeast website.

The Radisson has teamed up with Cherry Creek Reservoir State Park and during the Academy, guests of the Radisson will have access to discounts on water activities and complimentary transportation to and from the Lake House, Marina and The Wharf.

Cherry Creek State Park is a stunningly unique urban park just 5 minutes from the Radisson. Camping during the Academy is certainly available if reservations are made in time. Reservations can be made in advance as early as 6 months to the day via - coloradostateparks.reserveamerica.com

Cherry Creek State Park offers the opportunity to explore and enjoy a very natural setting within the city limits. Available within the park are nature programs and trails, fishing, boating, a swim beach, a model airfield, horseback riding, biking, picnicking and a shooting range along with the large camping area with large cottonwood trees. For more information or a list of summer activities in 2018, please call the park office at (303) 690-1166. This park is open year round and is extremely popular.

Sponsorships

The Toro Corporation recognizes the importance of quality professional training. With our distributors, LL Johnson and Professional Turf Products, we are thankful for the opportunity to help bring the Park Planning and Maintenance Academy to you, the members of the parks and sports turf industry. Many challenges lie ahead in your diverse profession. The knowledge you gain in the PPMA courses and the professional networking you develop with one another will go a long way to give you the resources you need to help solve your problems and create new opportunities. We at Toro, want to be a resource to you as well, with state of the art equipment and management resources designed for your current needs and future demands.

Enjoy the Academy and we are proud to be a part of the team making this professional training opportunity possible. Have a safe journey to Colorado, enjoy your surroundings and remember we are always available for you, so please let us know how we can assist in making your jobs easier.

The Toro Company

Boyd Montgomery, CSE

PPMA has various sponsorship levels available, contact Mendy Putman, PPMA Superintendent (719) 651-2125 for sponsorship opportunities during the event.

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Curriculum

Registrations for Year 1 and Year 2 are open now.

Anyone interested in attending for Year 2 only without going through Year 1 first, are welcome to do so at this time. No certificate will be awarded, but CEU credit will be. Limited spots are available.

After completing Year 1 and Year 2 curriculum, students will receive a certificate of completion. Those who are interested in taking ONLY the Year 2 curriculum can register on a space-available basis, but will not receive a certificate.

The registration fee is $425 and includes all supplies, the fees for the field studies, snacks, a box lunch on the field study day and the ceremony banquet on Friday. Early registration is January 8th - June 30th. On July 1st the registration fee will be raised to $450.

Continuing Education Credits (CEU) are available for both years. A total of 1.55 CEUs are available in each year when all sessions are completed. Cost is $25 per person for the processing of the CEUs. Registration and payment can easily be done when you go into the registration system.

Coming in 2019: The Graduate Academy. Those that have completed Year 1 and Year 2 Academies can continue to develop their professional education. Learn about new, progressive ideas and current park maintenance issues and trends. Each year of the Graduate Academy will feature new topics.

Year 1 establishes a baseline of understanding the fundamentals of park maintenance, design and resource management through a broad spectrum of topics.

Year 1 topics include:

ADA Requirements and Elements of Playground Design
A Comprehensive Approach to Irrigation Water Management
Understanding GIS Systems
Athletic Field Maintenance - Best Practices and New Ideas
Principles of Maintenance Contracts
Arboriculture 101 at Cherry Creek State Park Marina
Principles of Park Planning and Design Practicum

Field study destinations include:

Turf! Turf! Turf! – A Tour of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Highlighting Benefits and Addressing Challenges of Community Gardens
THINK BIG! Planning and Development of Legacy Park Projects: A tour of Phillip S. Miller Adventure Park

Year 2 builds upon the Year 1 curriculum with advanced training in park maintenance practices, management and park design.

Year 2 topics (subject to change):

Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Master Plans: Understanding this Fundamental Element of Park Planning
Irrigation Principles for Water Conservation: Implementing Techniques and Strategies
Best Practices for Chemical Applications
Risk Management
Customer Service: Dealing with the Public in the Moment
Tree and Hazard Assessment
Principles of Athletic Complex Design Practicum

Field study destinations: Still in Proposal Form

Sports Mania! - Aurora Sports Complex
Landfill Re-purposing: Trash or Treasure? - David Lorenz Park
Working Farm Marries State Park - Chatfield State Park
Nature Up and Close and Personal - South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center

Proposed Topics for Graduate Year 3: (2019)

Special Event Support
Aquatics Facilities and Special Maintenance
HR Issues and Personnel Management
Developing Building Maintenance Programs
Round Table Discussions on Trends in Parks

Drones
Solar Gardens
Cell Towers
Revenue Generating Ideas
Dog Parks

For more information, help or questions, please call the PPMA Superintendent, Mendy Putman, at (719) 651-2125.