The 13th Northeast Ohio Regional Parks Conference will be held Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio. This conference is comprised of a consortium of park districts and agencies serving the northern region of Ohio. Our mission is to increase and focus opportunities in professional development for park staff by bringing them together for a conference specifically for parks in the region and the types of work done there. Course tracks include administration and marketing, nature and outdoor education, natural resources, park operations and maintenance, law enforcement and more. Our keynote speaker Rich Cochran, President & CEO of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, will discuss “Why is our work essential to human life? Conservation and restoration provide foundational assets for Thriving Communities.” We hope that you will consider attending the conference and ask that you forward this information to your staff and colleagues so they may have the opportunity to share their ideas and expertise at the conference. We appreciate your support in continuing to make the Northeast Ohio Regional Parks Conference a success. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Cost $45 per person Registering a Group? Click here to download an Excel spreadsheet for those wishing to register a group. Please return completed spreadsheet to Mindy at OPRA. Registration deadline is December 31, 2016. Conference Schedule 7:30 to 8 am: Registration & Continental Breakfast Gallery 8 to 9 am: Welcome & Keynote Speaker Rich Cochran Auditorium 9:15 am to noon: Track sessions 12:15 to 1 pm Lunch Breakers (vegetarian option) 1:15 to 3 pm: Track sessions 2017 Regional Parks Conference track sessions 2017 Regional Parks Conference map 2017 Regional Parks Conference flier Parking information: Due to construction on campus, please park in the faculty/staff parking lot. If spots are filled upon your arrival, please park in the student parking lot. Click here for animated map of traffic flow patterns and parking lots.