Focus Areas
Focus Areas reflect the evolving needs, challenges, and specialties of professionals working in parks and recreation.
Members are welcome to join any number of Focus Areas that match their interests. Focus Areas may be added or retired over time based on member priorities.
Upcoming meeting dates and event details can be found in the mParks Event Calendar or in the mParks Online CommUnity.
To get access to Focus Area Meetings, simply log in to mParks CommUnity, visit your Focus Area Group, and you’ll find everything you need to stay connected, including:
Need help logging into CommUnity? Please reach out to Kelsey Chapman, Membership Engagement Coordinator.
Members are welcome to join any number of Focus Areas that match their interests. Focus Areas may be added or retired over time based on member priorities.
Upcoming meeting dates and event details can be found in the mParks Event Calendar or in the mParks Online CommUnity.
To get access to Focus Area Meetings, simply log in to mParks CommUnity, visit your Focus Area Group, and you’ll find everything you need to stay connected, including:
- Meeting schedule
- Zoom link
- Downloadable Outlook calendar file (for all scheduled meetings)
Need help logging into CommUnity? Please reach out to Kelsey Chapman, Membership Engagement Coordinator.
Active Aging: Focuses on programs, resources, and strategies to promote active lifestyles and engagement for older adults in parks and recreation..
Adaptive (TR): Supports inclusive recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities by sharing best practices, resources, and program innovations.
Aquatics: Addresses the needs of aquatic facility managers and program providers, covering safety, training, and emerging trends in water-based recreation.
Archery: Brings together professionals to expand and enhance archery programming, facilities, and community engagement within parks and recreation.
Athletics: Provides a forum for discussing trends, challenges, and best practices in youth and adult sports programming and facility management.
Facilities: Explores strategies for effectively maintaining, developing, and managing park and recreation facilities.
Marketing: Shares strategies, trends, and tools for effectively promoting park and recreation programs, services, and events.
Park Maintenance: Focuses on natural resource management, conservation, and sustainability maintenance practices in parks and open spaces.
Programming: Supports the development and implementation of innovative recreation programs for diverse communities.
Trails: Promotes trail development, maintenance, and advocacy to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities.
Youth, Teens & Camps: Shares best practices and program ideas that engage young people in recreational opportunities and leadership development.
- Lisa Ball, LBSW, CPRP - Assistant Director of Recreation and Senior Services, Clawson Parks & Recreation
Adaptive (TR): Supports inclusive recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities by sharing best practices, resources, and program innovations.
- Becca Lynn, CTRS - Adaptive Recreation Specialist, Sterling Heights Parks & Recreation
Aquatics: Addresses the needs of aquatic facility managers and program providers, covering safety, training, and emerging trends in water-based recreation.
- Stacey McNamara, CPRE, CPO, AFO, LGIT - Community Center Programmer, Lansing Parks & Recreation
Archery: Brings together professionals to expand and enhance archery programming, facilities, and community engagement within parks and recreation.
- Bryan Farmer, CPRP - Deputy Director, Farmington Hills Special Services
Athletics: Provides a forum for discussing trends, challenges, and best practices in youth and adult sports programming and facility management.
- Steve Fellhauer, CPRP, CYSA - Recreation Supervisor - Sports, Novi Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Services
Facilities: Explores strategies for effectively maintaining, developing, and managing park and recreation facilities.
- Sal DiCaro, CPRP - Director, Macomb Township Parks & Recreation
Marketing: Shares strategies, trends, and tools for effectively promoting park and recreation programs, services, and events.
- Marissa Russo - Marketing & Communications Manager, Sterling Heights Parks & Recreation
Park Maintenance: Focuses on natural resource management, conservation, and sustainability maintenance practices in parks and open spaces.
- Larry Hess, CPSI - Superintendent of Parks, Independence Township Parks, Recreation, & Seniors
Programming: Supports the development and implementation of innovative recreation programs for diverse communities.
- Jordan Hilbrecht - Recreation Manager - Special Events & Festivals, Howell Recreation
Trails: Promotes trail development, maintenance, and advocacy to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities.
- Natalie Trotter, Trails & Parks Millage Coordinator, Ingham County Parks
Youth, Teens & Camps: Shares best practices and program ideas that engage young people in recreational opportunities and leadership development.
- Kevin Troshak - Youth Services Manager, Howell Recreation
