Alabama Recreation & Parks Association

What Alabama Recreation & Parks Association does

Alabama Recreation & Parks Association (ARPA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional association founded in 1943 and headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama. The organization represents more than 900 parks, recreation, and therapeutic-recreation professionals and serves 93 agency and community members — including municipal, county, and military parks-and-recreation agencies — across the state. ARPA delivers its mission through tiered individual and agency membership programs, professional certification (Professional Recreator Certificate, plus coordination with national CPRP and CPSI credentials), an annual state conference, state championships across 14 sports categories (archery, flag football, swimming, volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, hockey, cheerleading, track and field, and others), and a CoachSafely youth-coach injury-prevention training program mandated under Alabama Code 2018-496.

The association runs a portfolio of recurring revenue streams: tiered agency and individual membership dues, a four-tier Corporate Partners program ($500 to $2,500 annually), annual conference delegate and exhibitor fees, certification fees, and workshop registrations. Operations are supported by a four-person professional staff (Executive Director, Accounting Manager, Programs Manager, and Government Affairs) and an elected Board of Directors. Technology infrastructure consists of GrowthZone, a third-party association management platform handling the member portal, event registration, communications, and career center — there is no proprietary AI or technology product layer. Distribution is Alabama-only, and the affiliated Alabama Recreation and Parks Foundation (ARPF), a 501(c)(3), provides scholarships, citizen-board resources, and field research funding.

The business model is that of a traditional state-level professional membership association: ARPA monetizes member access primarily through annual dues and event-driven fees, supplemented by corporate sponsorship and certification revenue. Customer acquisition is event- and community-driven, leveraging the annual conference, regional workshops, athletic tournaments, and certification cohorts to grow and retain the agency and individual member base. The CoachSafely mandate creates a compliance-driven demand vector that drives volunteer-coach engagement through ARPA's 93 member agencies, embedding the association in Alabama's youth-sports regulatory framework.

Name

Alabama Recreation & Parks Association

Legal name

Alabama Recreation and Parks Association

Website

https://arpaonline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1943

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Alabama Recreation & Parks Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional association founded in 1943 that represents 900+ parks-and-recreation professionals and 93 agency members across Alabama, delivering membership services, certification, athletic championships, and mandated youth-coach safety training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services for Parks and Recreation

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Professional association services
• Parks recreation membership
• Professional certification programs
• Youth sports safety training
• Athletics tournament coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Montgomery

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Agency Membership Dues: Municipal, county, and military park/recreation agencies pay tiered membership fees based on size, from base tier to 21+ member categories. Includes professional membership for department directors.
2. Individual Membership Dues: Individual professionals pay annual membership fees across categories including Professional, Community Member, Allied, Associate, Retiree, Student, and Citizen memberships.
3. Corporate Partnership Fees: Four-tier corporate partner program: Largemouth Bass ($500), Yellowhammer ($1,000), Camellia ($1,500), and Longleaf Pine ($2,500 annually). Higher tiers receive expanded marketing exposure and event participation benefits.
4. Annual Conference Revenue: Annual state conference generates revenue through delegate registration, exhibitor booth fees, sponsorships, and trade show participation.
5. Certification Fees: Professional Recreator Certificate (PRC) program charges $25 initial application, $25 certification fee, and $25 per 3-year renewal. CPRP-certified professionals receive discounted rates.
6. Workshop Registration Fees: Professional development workshops charge registration fees; ARPA 50 Committee workshop charges $25 early bird or $30 regular registration with CEU credits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Alabama Recreation & Parks Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional membership association that serves parks, recreation, and therapeutic recreation professionals and agencies in Alabama. Its core offerings include tiered agency and individual memberships, an annual state conference, professional certification programs (PRC and CPSI), the CoachSafely youth sports injury prevention training initiative, organized athletics championships across multiple sports, and leadership development programs such as LEAD and FISH.

Product overview

Alabama Recreation & Parks Association (ARPA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional organization founded in 1943, serving as the state affiliate of the National Recreation and Parks Association. Rather than a unified software platform, ARPA operates as a membership-based professional association offering a portfolio of programs and services. Core offerings include the ARPA Membership program with multiple tiers, the Annual State Conference, and various athletic championships and tournaments across sports including swimming, archery, hockey, flag football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball, and softball. Professional development is delivered through the CoachSafely Initiative (youth sports safety training), Professional Recreator Certificate (PRC) state certification, LEAD leadership development program, FISH professional development curriculum, Fall Workshop, and Playground Safety Inspector Certification. ARPA also publishes The Alabamian quarterly magazine, operates a Career Center job portal, manages a Corporate Partners sponsorship program, and supports the Alabama Recreation and Parks Foundation (ARPF) for scholarships and research. The 50 Committee focuses on senior programming for adults 55+.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ARPA Membership Program Tiered professional membership program for parks and recreation professionals and agencies across Alabama, with categories including Agency, Individual Professional, Community, Allied, Associate, Retiree, Student, Municipal Offices/Park Board, Citizen, and Corporate Partnership. Includes access to publications, job postings, networking, and professional development.
• ARPA Annual State Conference Annual state conference offering educational sessions, networking, and trade shows for parks and recreation professionals across Alabama, generating revenue through delegate registration, exhibitor booths, and sponsorships.
• CoachSafely Initiative Youth sports injury prevention training course delivered in partnership with the CoachSafely Foundation, covering concussion recognition, overuse injuries, and emergency preparedness, required for volunteer coaches of children ages 14 and under under Alabama law.
• Professional Recreator Certificate (PRC) State-level certification program for parks and recreation professionals requiring 20 hours of continuing education over 3 years across five categories: Administration, Athletics, Recreation Programming, Maintenance, and Therapeutic Recreation.
• Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Certification Course Playground safety inspector certification course delivered in partnership with the National Recreation and Parks Association, providing 1.2 CEU credits to attendees preparing for the CPSI exam.
• LEAD Leadership Development Program 2.5-day leadership development program for current and aspiring leaders in the recreation field, including ARPA history and structure training, FISH! Philosophy for Leaders, and team building exercises.
• FISH Professional Development Program Team-building and culture program built on the FISH! Philosophies (Be There, Play, Make Their Day, Choose Your Attitude), designed to increase creativity, engagement, and retention within recreation departments.
• ARPA State Championships and Tournaments Organized athletic state championships and tournaments spanning swimming, archery, street hockey, flag football, volleyball, and soccer, hosted at member agency venues across Alabama.
• Annual Fall Workshop Annual professional development workshop providing continuing education opportunities for ARPA members at various Alabama venues each fall season.
• ARPA 50 Committee Senior Programming Programming committee and workshop series dedicated to active adults ages 55 and older, including the ARPA 50 Committee One-Day Workshop with CEU credits and senior programming support.
• The Alabamian Quarterly Publication Quarterly publication of ARPA distributed to membership, reporting state updates, legislative issues, and a calendar of events, published in collaboration with The Alabamian Media Kit for advertising.
• ARPA Online Career Center Online job posting portal for the parks and recreation field in Alabama where employers post positions and job seekers find opportunities in the sector.
• Corporate Partners Sponsorship Program Tiered sponsorship program for businesses serving recreation and parks professionals, with annual tiers Longleaf Pine ($2,500), Camellia ($1,500), Yellowhammer ($1,000), and Largemouth Bass ($500), each with varying benefits including website listings, email blasts, and conference booth access.
• Alabama Recreation and Parks Foundation (ARPF) Affiliated 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation providing financial support, scholarships for students and professionals, resources for citizen board members, and research for public park and recreation services in Alabama.
• ARPA Athletics Program Comprehensive athletic programming spanning archery, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, swimming, and track and field, delivered through agency leagues and state championships serving youth and adults across Alabama.

Quantifiable outcome

• 900+ professionals represented across Alabama's parks and recreation sector
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CoachSafely FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership with the CoachSafely Foundation (501(c)(3) non-profit based in Birmingham, AL) to deliver youth sports injury prevention training through ARPA. The CoachSafely Act (AL Code 2018-496) requires volunteer coaches of children age 14 and under to complete the training. ARPA delivers the course free to youth coaches through its 93 member agencies statewide. The comprehensive course covers coaching youth athletes, mental health, concussions, overuse injuries, and emergency preparedness.
• National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial state affiliate relationship. ARPA is the official Alabama affiliate of NRPA, the national professional organization for parks and recreation. This affiliation provides ARPA members access to national resources, certifications (CPSI, CPRP), and advocacy at the federal level.
• Alabama Recreation and Parks Foundation (ARPF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARPF is ARPA's affiliated 501(c)(3) foundation providing financial support and educational resources for public park and recreation services. ARPF operates scholarship programs for students and professionals, provides resources for citizen volunteers on park boards, and conducts research on parks and recreation in Alabama.
• Hoover Parks & Recreation FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) certification course and exam with ARPA/ARPF at Hoover Met Complex in August 2026. The partnership provides professional development for playground safety inspectors in coordination with NRPA.
• GametimeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner offering playground and recreation equipment. Listed among corporate partners with logo displayed on ARPA website.
• Academy Sports + OutdoorsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partner providing sporting goods and outdoor recreation products. Featured in ARPA strategic partners section.
• Struthers RecreationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner specializing in recreation equipment and park amenities. Listed as strategic partner with logo displayed.
• RCX SportsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner providing sports programming and recreation services. Listed among corporate partners.
• Braves Country BaseballminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partner affiliated with Atlanta Braves youth baseball programs. Listed among strategic partners.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA): Georgia's state affiliate of NRPA providing membership, professional development, certification support, and state championships for parks and recreation professionals. Operates the same agency-tier dues model and conference-driven revenue mix as ARPA.
• Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA): Florida's 501(c)(6) state-level parks and recreation professional association. Mirrors ARPA's structure with agency and individual membership tiers, annual conference, certification coordination with NRPA, and state athletic championships — a near-clone peer with materially larger scale.
• Mississippi Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA): Mississippi's state affiliate of NRPA, representing parks and recreation professionals and agencies. Operates agency and individual membership tiers and serves a comparable rural-Southeast government and recreation market to ARPA.
• North Carolina Recreation and Park Association (NCRPA): North Carolina's state parks and recreation professional association, also affiliated with NRPA. Shares the same membership, certification, conference, and state-championship operating model and competes for corporate partner dollars in an overlapping Southeast region.
• Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association (TRPA): Tennessee's state-level parks and recreation professional association and NRPA affiliate. Direct comparable in mission, governance, and member structure, with adjacent state championships and certification administration for the same Southeast region.
• Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS): Texas's state-level professional association for the parks, recreation and leisure services field. Operates a substantially larger version of ARPA's model — agency memberships, certification, advocacy, annual conference, and institute-style training — and represents the upper-end scale peer for the same profession.
• South Carolina Recreation and Park Association (SCRPA): South Carolina's state parks and recreation membership organization, structured around agency and individual tiers with professional development and advocacy focus. Operates as a direct functional analog to ARPA in an adjacent state.

Broad incumbents

• National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA): The national umbrella organization for the parks and recreation profession and ARPA's official state affiliate. NRPA operates the same membership, certification (CPRP, CPSI), advocacy and conference model at the federal level, making it the parent peer and the only entity with overlapping scope across all 50 states.

Others

• National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC): The national credentialing body for therapeutic recreation specialists. Adjacent to ARPA's professional development and certification mission (PRC, CPRP) and a reference standard for the recreation-therapy workforce ARPA represents in Alabama.
• CoachSafely Foundation: Birmingham-based 501(c)(3) that partnered with ARPA in 2019 to deliver mandated youth-sports injury-prevention training under the CoachSafely Act. Acts as content owner and curriculum provider; ARPA is the exclusive Alabama delivery channel — a close strategic partner with adjacent rather than competing activities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ALRecandParks
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlabamaRecandParks
• Instagraminstagram.com/alabamarecparks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alabama Recreation & Parks Association