LMR_September proof8

Happy 75th Anniversary LRPA:
75 years of Taking Recreation Seriously!
What’s New?
Louisiana Recreation and Park Association (LRPA) and LMA
are excited to announce a new and improved partnership. As
one of LMA’s oldest affiliates, LRPA starts its next 75 years by
entering into a formal contract with LMA for the provision of
management services, convention planning, fiscal accounting
and a host of other exciting activities and services. For many
years, LRPA has had a seat on the LMA Executive Board of
Directors and LMA greatly values the longstanding relationship
and input from LRPA. This expanded partnership opens the
door to a host of possibilities and ideas to benefit our cities and
citizens.
LRPA is a network of recreation professionals throughout this
great state. It is the job of those professionals to constantly be
Smiles Park at Kiroli in West Monroe
on top of changes in the
recreational climate and
to treat all recreational
activities just as seriously.
One of the first joint efforts
in this partnership was
reaching out to Lieutenant
Governor Billy Nungesser,
who manages Louisiana’s
State Parks. LRPA gives a big welcome to the state parks folks
and looks forward to working with the state parks on broad
approaches to recreation through all of the exciting state and
local parks. Parks can be used as tools and vehicles to promote
such things as economic development, the arts, culture,
recreation, and tourism.
What makes recreation so serious?
This expanded
LRPA/LMA partnership
opens the door to a
host of possibilities
and ideas to benefit
our cities and citizens.
Recreational opportunities play a large role in quality of life. As a
tourist destination, people travel here to take part in Mardi Gras,
festivals, learn about our history, and of course take in some of
the great sports attractions. However, Louisiana ranks among
the bottom 10 states for quality of life for the people who call
our communities home. Sadly, this has been consistent for the
last five years. Health, comfort and happiness are standards
considered when evaluating the quality of life, as well as other
factors like environmental quality, social interactions and leisure
activities. For recreational organizations to help contribute to
Louisiana citizens having a better quality of life, we must also
face our shortcomings and take action – together!
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LMR | September 2018