43Rd Annual Conference
43RD ANNUAL CONFERENCE
WESTVIRGINIA
RECREATIONPARKASSOCIATION
BUILDINGSTRONGERHEALTHIER COMMUNITIES TOGETHER
OCTOBER 13TH – 15TH, 2015. HUNTINGTON, WV
BIG SANDY ARENA
43rdAnnual WVRPA Conference Agenda
Huntington, West Virginia
October 13th, 14th& 15th, 2015
Tuesday, October 13th
11:00am – 3:00pm Annual WVRPA Golf Tournament
The Annual WVRPA Golf Tournament will be held at the Silo Golf Course in Lavalette, WV. This beautiful 6470 yard course has a variety of challenging holes, including 8 lakes and several scenic narrow fairways. Playing groups will be determined prior to the starting time, 11:00am. Special contests include longest drive, longest putt and closest to the hole. For further information or to register contact John Cooper at or call 304-624-1655. $50 entry fee includes green fees, cart, prizes, lunch and beverage. Silo Golf Course, 400 Royal Brickdale Drive, Lavalette, WV 25535 (304) 522-1010. Arrive 30 minutes prior to start. Ppre-registration required.
11:00am – 3:00pm”Great” Huntington City& Park Tour
The “Great” Huntington City and Park Tour will starts at11:00am in front of our host hotel, Downtown Holiday Inn. The Tour will delight your senses as you visit several of the city’s historical and scenic sights, including the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, “Coin” Harvey House, Ritter Park, Heritage Station and many more. To register for this free activity, contact the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District at or call 304-696-5954. Free lunch is provided, approximately 12:30 pm. Downtown Holiday Inn, 800 Third Ave, Huntington, WV 25708 (304) 523-8880.Be prompt, meet in hotel lobby. Pre-registration required.
5:30pm – 7:00pmMarshall University - Chris Cline Athletic Complex Tour
Chris Cline Athletic ComplexTour participants will be picked-up by bus at the front entrance of our host hotel, Downtown Holiday Inn.The bus will take you to the Athletic Complex where your personal tour guide will lead you throughout this state of the art facility. To register for this free activity, contact the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District at or call 304-696-5954.
8:00pm – 10:00pmExhibitor Set-up #1 – Night Owl Set-up
Exhibitors, this is your first of two opportunities to set-up your “awesome”displays prior to the opening of the Exhibit Hall (second opportunity is tomorrow morning). The Exhibit Hall is located in the Grand Ballroom inside the Big Sandy Arena, which is directly adjacent to our host hotel the Downtown Holiday Inn. Free refreshments will be available as you set-up. New this year is the Exhibitor Display Award. The Exhibitor with the best display, chosen by all attendees will be recognized with a trophy and prize. Bring It On Exhibitors!
8:00pm – 10:30pmWelcome “Disco” Social
The Tuesday Welcome Socialwill all be at Camp Mad Anthony Wayne. So dig down in your dresser drawer for those bell-bottom pants, mini-skirts and gold chains and catch the Partridge Family bus in front of the host hotel, Downtown HolidayInnat 7:30pm. Join your fellow colleagues for free refreshments, a little dancing and great fun. Remember there is a best dress award. The bus will make return trips back to the hotel. Camp Mad Anthony Wayne, 2125 Spring Valley Drive, Huntington, WV 25704.
43rdAnnual WVRPA Conference Agenda
Huntington, West Virginia
October 13th, 14th& 15th, 2015
Wednesday, October 14th
7:30m – 8:55amRegistration & Welcome Table Open
The WVRPAConference registration table is located in the foyer ofBig Sandy Arena outside the Grand Ballroom (Azalea Room). Guest speakers, pre-registrants, walk-up attendees and conference Exhibitorswill receive their welcome conference packet, which includes your name badge, conference and WVRPA information, Exhibitor Luncheon and Dinner passes, welcome prize andmore!If you brought items for the Hillbilly Auction this is a good time to drop them off. To register or if you have any questionsplease contact Bruce Miller, or call (304) 669-3181.
8:30am – 8:50amWVRPA Board Meeting
WVRPA Board Members and Committee Chairs will meet in the Dogwood Room next to the Exhibit Hall to discuss past, current and future issues.
9:00am – 9:50amSession #1: Adventures in Appalachia: Outdoor Recreation’s
Role in the Future. .1 CEU
Presented by Elaine H. Wilson, Executive Director for the Office for Adventure Tourism, Kentucky Tourism Arts & Heritage Cabinet.Hear how this cabinet level position was challenged to diversify the Eastern Kentucky’s economy, introduce and create an adventure tourism industry, cultivate destination development and promote Eastern Kentucky’s outdoor recreation throughout diverse landscape. Learn about the role local parks and recreation departments, green organizations and others play a role in this progress.
10:00am – 10:50amSession #2: Trail Towns: Portals to the Wild! .1 CEU
Presented by Elaine H. Wilson,Executive Director for the Office for Adventure Tourism, Kentucky Tourism Arts & Heritage Cabinet.Learn how communities across Kentucky work to capitalize on their natural beauty and recreation offerings. Modeled after successful programs throughout the country, The Kentucky Trail Program provides a community a blueprint for economic development based on outdoor recreation. It provides authentic visitor experiences by helping communities highlight their own unique historical, cultural and culinary talents.
Elaine H Wilson graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in Education and Marketing from Georgia. She has been an outdoor enthusiast for 40 plus years and has worked in the tourism industry for over years. Prior to becoming the Executive Director for the Kentucky Office for Adventure Tourism Cabinet, some of her past work experience included Executive Director for Bullitt County Tourisms Commission, Park Interpreter for Green River Lake and Visitor Services and Human Resources Manager for Bernheim Forest.
43rdAnnual WVRPA Conference Agenda
Huntington, West Virginia
October 13th, 14th& 15th, 2015
11:00am – 11:50pmSession #3: Keynote by Philanthropist and Businessman Jim Justice
Mr. Jim Justice grew up inRaleigh County, West Virginia and currently resides in Lewisburg, WV with his wife, Cathy. Jim and Cathy have two children, Jay and Jill. Mr. Justice received hisbachelor's degreeandMaster in Business Administrationfrom Marshall University. After college, Mr. Justice went into the family agriculture business.Mr. Justice founded Bluestone Farms in 1977, which now operates 50,000 acres (20,000ha) of farmland, and is the leading producer of grain on theEast Coast of the United States. He inherited Bluestone Coal Corp. from his father in 1993. Mr. Justice serves as the owner orchief executive officerof over 50 companies, including theThe GreenbrierinWhite Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, which he bought for $20.5million in 2009, saving it frombankruptcy. His charitable activities have included $25 million for the James C. Justice National Scout Camp atThe Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, $5 million forMarshall University, and $10 million to theCleveland Clinic.
12:00pm – 1:30pmExhibit Hall Grand Opening
It is time to check-out the new, exciting and cutting edge equipment, services and ideas the
Exhibitors brought with them. This is your chance to get creative, brain storm and think “out of the
Box” with the experts in the Field of Recreation and Parks.Ask and Listen!
1:30pm – 2:30pmExhibitor Luncheon
A long standing tradition of WVRA is the Exhibitor Luncheon. The Exhibitor Luncheon is a great opportunity to continue your conversation, or begin a new conversation with an Exhibitor while you both enjoy lunch. This year’s Exhibitor Luncheon includes two soups, sandwich meats (turkey, ham and roast beef) and chesses, assorted breads and croissants, salads, desert and a variety of drinks. bon-appetite!
43rdAnnual WVRPA Conference Agenda
Huntington, West Virginia
October 13th, 14th& 15th, 2015
3:00pm – 5:00pmAfternoon Treat Table
For your pleasure and to test your self-control, the Afternoon Treat Table is
open. A variety of beverages, treats and snack are available for your
enjoyment. This will get you through the afternoon with a smile!
2:30pm – 3:20pmSession #4: Is Your Park Foundation Successful .1 CEU
Presented by Donald Ortale, Executive Director of the National Associationof Park Foundations. Local Park Foundations and local Friends of the ParkGroups are becoming more important in the process of enhancing the park experience for local Park Districts and Park Departments throughout the country.Explore the various categories of Park Foundations and their rolein the non-profit sector within your community.
Donald A. Ortaleis a 23 year veteran of the Hospitality Industry before embarking on a career in the non-profit sector. For the past 20 plus years he has contributed to enriching lives specializing in community outreach programming and leading non-profit organizations in various leadership positions. He is an award winning sports and entertainment industry professional with a proven track record in identifying the "social conscience" of organizations and helping integrate this aspect of a business into its overall marketing strategy. He served his community as a Commissioner at the Addison Park District for seven years and is founding Executive Director of the National Association of Park Foundations.
3:30pm – 4:20pmSession #5:Holistic Park Funding & Implementation Strategies .1 CEU
Presented by Gabe Hays, RecCreate Park Planning Group, a division of Hays Landscape Architecture Studio, Ltd., will provide an overview of what park leaders should consider when looking at the strategic direction of their organizations. The park planning leaders will discuss values, mission, vision, organizational structure, alternative funding strategies, and physical planning consideration. Of specific interest to most park professionals is how to find money. This talk will touch on several proven strategies to implement a specific private sector assistance program with a foundation, how to use your master plan as a donor, and the need to set sponsorship amounts.
Gabe Hays has accumulated a broad, diverse range of professional experience in landscape architecture. Project involvement in over twelve states has included a variety of planning and design experience at some of the finest botanical gardens, arboretums, and private estates in the nation. In addition he has been involved in the planning and design for scenic byways, streetscapes, historical sites, campuses, community parks, military family housing, and various residential projects. Furthermore. Project B.E.S.T. Award Grand Vue Aquatic Center & Marshall County Courthouse, Wheeling Heritage Port Phase III, and Community Service award City of St. Clairsville: “An innovative and beautiful design for the Memorial Park Playground that provides a place for all our community’s children to play”.
43rdAnnual WVRPA Conference Agenda
Huntington, West Virginia
October 13th, 14th& 15th, 2015
5:00am– 6:30pmExhibit Hall Is Open
6:30pm – 7:30pmExhibitor Dinner
We again have the opportunity to break bread together, this time over dinner. This year’s dinner
choices are Apple Roasted Pork Loin or Lemon Crusted Chicken. Dinner sides include garden or
Caesar salad, vegetable medley, twice baked potato, assorted drinks and desert. Again, this is a
wonderful opportunity to sit down and discuss your future plans and idea with Exhibitors. Dinner is
served in the Exhibit Hall…....bon-appetite!
7:30pm – 9:00pmHillbilly Auction
It’s Auction Time! Most of you will go home with an arm full of items; gift cards, hats, t-shirts,
mugs, and other cool stuff. Regardless if you win or not, the Hillbilly Auction is a fun and exciting
activity to end the day’s sessions and events. Proceeds from the Hillbilly Auction go to the
Recreation and Park Student Associations.
7:30pm Exhibitor Tear-down
Remember to THANK all the Exhibitors and to schedule time to have one or more visit your park.
WVRPA.ORG WVRPA.ORG WVRPA.ORG WVRPA.ORG
43rdAnnual WVRPA Conference Agenda
Huntington, West Virginia
October 13th, 14th& 15th, 2015
Thursday, October 15th
9:00am – 9:50amSession #6: Adding Adventure to your Parks.1 CEU
Presented by Craig White, Park Manager of Grand Vue Park. Learn how Grand Vue Park in
Marshall County has implemented and developed a fluid master plan that includes a variety
of traditional and non-traditional (canopy tour, zip line) activities, events and park
structures. Learn how this 650 plus acre park is quickly becoming one of the northern
panhandle’s favorite year round recreation destination.
10:00am – 10:50amSession #7: Putnam County and Jefferson CountyParks: Oh What
Wonderful Things Are Happening!.1 CEU
Join us as Scott Williamson, Director for Putnam County Parks and Recreation and David Kling, Assistant Director for Jefferson County Parks and Recreation, share overviews of their more popular recreation programs, activities, and events, and future master plans. This is a great opportunity to learn and possibly “copy” an activity, event or program that is working elsewhere in West Virginia.
11:30am – 1:00pmWVRPA Award Ceremony & Luncheon
The WVRPA Awards Ceremony and Luncheon is our time to recognize those Parks and Recreation Professionals, Community Leaders, Volunteers, Students, Facilities and Programs that that make their community stronger, happier and a better place to live. Join your fellow colleagues as we honor these recipient’s hard work, commitment, creativity, longevity, and passion for parks and recreation. Please dress appropriately.
Awards & Scholarships
*John G. Scherlacher Fellowship Award* Austin C. Palmer Facility Award
* Richard C. Sebastian Leadership Award* Eugene M. Fuller Program Award
* James C. McClelland P&R Facility Award* President Citation Award
* Special Citation Award; Citizen or Board* Legislative Award
* Cunningham Recreation Student
Scholarship
1:00pm – 1:30pmWVRPA Board Meeting