Curriculum

Registrations for all years of PPMA are open now for registration.  Go to the HOME page for the links.

Anyone interested in attending without going through Year 1 first, needs to call Mendy Putman to discuss.

After completing Year 1 and Year 2 curriculum, students will receive a certificate of completion. 

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 all years.  A total of 1.55 CEUs are available in Years 1 and 2 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.  Please note, you are responsible for obtaining a CEU card when you arrive and making sure it is signed and turned in at the end of the event.

2019 presents 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.

Academy program begins at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6 and ends at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8.  A Welcome Reception and Check In will be held at the hotel beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5.  Meals included are breakfast (for those staying at the hotel), lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday and an Awards Banquet will conclude the event on Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.  Please make your flight plans accordingly.

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

• 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

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

Proposed Topics for Graduate Year 3: (2019)

• Public and Special Events – liabilities, operations, risk assessments

• Management of a Multi-Generational staff

• Challenges of Fleet maintenance – turn over, replacements, repairs

• Developing Building Maintenance Programs
• Utilizing technology/computers effectively for park maintenance
• Tree Management Plans
• Round Table Discussions on Trends in Parks