Recreation & Parks Conference

Missouri Park & Recreation Association Conference Focused on Community Health

Landscape Structures Inc., a Delano, Minn.-based commercial playground equipment manufacturer, along with its Missouri playground consultants, NuToys Leisure Products, Inc. and ATHCO, L.L.C., will exhibit at the 2015 Missouri Park & Recreation Association (MPRA) Conference & Expo, Feb. 24-27, in Springfield. The conference will feature Mark Fenton, national public health, planning, and transportation consultant, an adjunct associate professor at Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and former host of the "America's Walking" series on PBS television, as the keynote speaker. This learning experience was made possible through the 2014-2015 State Association Speaker Scholarship program from Landscape Structures.

Fenton's keynote address will discuss creating stickier communities through parks and recreation. He'll explain that the way to encourage healthier living is to make physical activity a way of life. But, Fenton says, it will only happen if parks and recreation professionals help lead the change on "sticky design." Meaning that attendees should apply the park and recreation principles to all aspects of community development. Fenton will share success stories of designs that resulted in better community health in addition to economic vibrancy, environmental sustainability, and better quality of life.

Fenton's 65-minute session will be presented at 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Additionally, Fenton will host breakout sessions at 1, 3, and 4:20 p.m.