Professional Development
In addition to our annual conferences, RRS offers a range of continuing education opportunities based on industry needs.
Our training typically offer Continuing Education Units (CEU) that may apply to Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) credit. Depending on the topic, we may also provide American Planning Association (APA) continuing education credit opportunities.
Registering with REPORTER: Creating an account, for you or others.
Payments & Registration: RRS accepts PCI compliant credit card payments when you register in REPORTER. Organizations have the option to pay for multiple attendees at one time. Please contact our office if you need assistance with registration or payment processing. Additional assistance for registration or payment issues can also be obtained thru the Reporter Help Desk at reporter_support@ncsu.edu.
Cancellations: Please review the RRS Cancellation Policies.

SAVE THE DATE
February 8-10, 2023
Sheraton Imperial, RTP (Durham, NC)
New Directors attending first NCPRDC may register for $55! Contact RRS for the discount code.
Interested in being a sponsor of the NCPRDC? Sponsor opportunities for the 2023 Conference will be open in the Fall of 2022. Please contact RRS if you would like to be added to the email notification list for NCPRDC
About NCPRDC:
The North Carolina Municipal and County Parks and Recreation Directors Conference is an annual education and networking event for North Carolina’s park and recreation directors. The first event was organized in 1947 under the leadership of the Department of Leisure Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill. Recreation Resources Service now assists the planning committee with coordinating and managing the conference. The conference mission, both then and now is to bring department directors together to discuss the challenges and opportunities for improving parks and recreation both within their own departments, and the state. Support for the conference from directors, retired directors, and partners from NC university park and recreation departments have maintained its relevance and purpose over 70 years later

Empowering.
Energizing.
Invigorating.

Two events offered annually: In person event each Spring with the Virtual Speaker Series presented late summer.
Registration for the 2022 in-person event will open in the Spring
July 12-14, 2022
Location: NC State University McKimmon Center
Cost: $600 – Includes course materials, instruction, exam, meals (breaks and lunches), and CEUs.
(Exam only option available)
The Certified Playground Safety Inspector course prepares professionals to recognize and prevent potential playground hazards and to inspect playgrounds for safety issues using current ASTM International standards and CPSC guidelines.
Course participants learn how to:
- Identify hazards on public playgrounds and playground equipment
- Rank hazards according to injury potential
- Apply that info and establish a playground safety program
After taking the CPSI course, participants have the knowledge needed to:
- Establish a sound risk reduction program;
- Establish a system of repair, retrofit, and removal of hazardous equipment; and create a routine inspection system.
Who should attend?
- Park and Recreation Administrators, Supervisors, Risk Managers, Public Works Departments, Building and Grounds Maintenance Staff, Playground Designers, Engineers Operators, and Playground Caretakers.
Participants also gain the most up-to-date information to sit for the CPSI certification exam. Certification is valid for three years.

- When: April 4, 2022
- Location: Harrah’s Cherokee Conference Center
- Registration: $175 for workshop only registration (lunch included), OR register for the full 2022 Outdoor Economy Conference and select the pre-conference trails workshop at a discounted rate. Come join us in Cherokee!
Important: Proof of current COVID Vaccination required to attend
Trail Planning & Development Workshop
- Focused on the planning, design, and implementation phases of trail development.
- Instructors will guide communities through the early stages of creating their own high quality mountain bike trail system.
- The workshop is designed and taught by the staff of the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) for trail champions and stakeholders who want to build new infrastructure or enhance the current trail system.
Highlights Include a site visit to the Fire Mountain trail system on the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee (for a limited number of registrants).
Each year RRS and the NC Division of Parks and Recreation partners with trail & greenway professionals to provide training and resources on the impact of trails and greenways to regional economies, environmental quality, public health, and community vitality.
Visit the RRS YouTube Channel to view previous webinars