Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute

The 2018 SWPRTI Park Planning and Maintenance Academy was another success! Year 2 was excellent and we are now working on the 2019 PPMA as we reach our goal and offer the Year 3 Graduate level, along with Year 1 and Year 2 classes.

New Lodging and Location is currently being researched. More information to come later this year.

Check out our photo gallery from this past year.

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
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

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.