Who We Are

Organized in 1964, the Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) is a non-profit professional organization for park, recreation and leisure services professionals.

As a National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) affiliate, ARPA strives to provide recreation, park and leisure services professionals with an active organization that broadens recreation, park and leisure opportunities for all Arkansas citizens by:
  • Promoting the growth, accessibility and professional consistency of programs
  • Educating the public to the increasing importance of recreation, leisure and preservation of our natural history
  • Strengthening the quality of professional leadership in recreation, park and leisure services through continuing
  • education and training opportunities
  • Uniting all recreation, park and leisure services personnel within Arkansas
  • Fostering and maintaining high standards of professional qualifications and ethics

Legislative Advocacy

Arkansas Legislation

ARPA is committed to supporting legislation that affects parks & recreation issues in Arkansas. We routinely communicate with state legislators about such issues and strive to keep our members informed about changes or new legislation.

National Legislation

Brownfield restoration. Community greenprinting. Rail corridors repurposed for hiking and biking trails. These are just a few of the ways in which NRPA and its supporters make a difference every day. If your local and state leaders think they can’t afford parks & recreation, wait until they discover the price of going without. Join us today and discover the benefits of parks & recreation.

The most important lesson we have learned over the past 40 years? We can’t do it alone. We need your help- to save our open space, to build more local parks, to make recreation and healthy living a priority on Capitol Hill. Won’t you lend us a hand? It might just be the most critical invitation you have ever accepted.

NRPA & Southwest Region Network

Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association is an affiliate of the National Recreation and Park Association and identifies with the Southwest Region Network with four other states:

Association Documents

 

 By-Laws

 Manual of Procedures