Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society

What Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society does

Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society (PRPS) is a non-profit professional association headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania, that serves recreation and park professionals, students, and municipal/county agencies across the Commonwealth. Founded as the state affiliate of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), PRPS operates as Pennsylvania's largest non-governmental advocate for recreation and parks, with member municipalities collectively affecting the health and wellness of over 1.3 million Pennsylvania residents. The organization delivers professional development, advocacy, networking, and resource services through a portfolio of products including the PRPS Learning Center (prpslearning.org), The Maintenance Institute (TMI) training program, the Annual Conference & Expo, Therapeutic Recreation Institute, tri-annual Pennsylvania Recreation & Parks Magazine, and weekly The SCOOP newsletter reaching 2,000+ members.

PRPS's underlying technology consists of the IMIS association management system integrated with its website and MyPRPS member portal, supporting membership management, event registration, donation processing, and account management. Supporting digital channels include the Program Database, PRPS Channel video content, Beyond the Park Bench podcast, Dig It! blog, and the Good for PA advocacy toolkit. The organization partners with PSECU, PA DCNR, Penn State PRO Wellness, RCX Sports, City Parks Alliance, and other state and national organizations to extend its service surface.

PRPS generates revenue through six primary streams: annual membership dues (subscription), event registration fees for workshops, conferences, and institutes (transactional), multi-tier corporate sponsorships ranging from $500 webinars to $2,500 exclusive workshop sponsorships and Champion Partner multi-year contracts, advertising in The SCOOP newsletter, the quarterly magazine, and the Membership Directory & Buyers Guide, Consignment Ticket Sales to amusement parks and attractions (transaction fee), and tax-deductible donations supporting the General Fund and Don Joyce Scholarship Fund. The GTM motion is event-driven, acquiring and retaining members through annual membership drives, professional development events, conferences, and workshops delivered via a regional district structure across Pennsylvania.

Name

Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society

Legal name

Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society

Website

https://prps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society (PRPS) is a non-profit professional association and state affiliate of the NRPA that serves 2,000+ recreation and park professionals, students, and municipal agencies across Pennsylvania through professional development, advocacy, networking, and resource services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

State College

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from recreation and park professionals, agencies, and organizations across Pennsylvania. Includes various tiers such as Friend Membership with PSECU eligibility.
2. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for workshops, webinars, annual conference, and The Maintenance Institute events. Investment tiers range from $500 for webinars to $2,500 for exclusive workshop sponsorships to multi-year Champion Partner relationships.
3. Professional Development Events: Registration fees for workshops, conferences, Pesticide Workshops, Leadership Academy, Therapeutic Recreation Institute, and other training programs.
4. Advertising: Advertising opportunities in The SCOOP weekly newsletter (2,000+ members), Pennsylvania Recreation & Parks Magazine (2,000+ quarterly), and website placements, plus the Membership Directory and Buyers Guide annual publication.
5. Consignment Ticket Sales: The Consignment Ticket Sales Program generates revenue through ticket sales to amusement parks and attractions for member discounts and PRPS revenue share.
6. Donations and Scholarships: Tax-deductible donations to the General Fund, Don Joyce Scholarship Fund, and other specific causes support the society's mission and professional development scholarships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society (PRPS) is a nonprofit professional association serving parks and recreation agencies, departments, and individual professionals across Pennsylvania. It delivers member services including professional development, certification training (e.g., CPSI), an annual conference and trade show, public-policy advocacy, awards and recognition, and industry resources for the parks and recreation community.

Product overview

PRPS offers a comprehensive portfolio of professional development and member services for Pennsylvania's parks and recreation workforce. The core offerings include the PRPS Learning Center (online continuing education), The Maintenance Institute (TMI - maintenance training), and the Annual Conference & Expo. Supporting products include the tri-annual Pennsylvania Recreation & Parks Magazine, weekly The SCOOP News publication, and the Job Center. Additional services encompass the Consignment Ticket Sales Program for discounted amusement park tickets, the Good for PA Toolkit for statewide marketing materials, the Program Database for sharing program ideas, the Culture of Health Program for wellness-focused camp programming, and the Beyond the Park Bench Podcast for emerging leaders. All services are delivered through the PRPS membership platform and are designed to serve recreation professionals, municipalities, and citizen advocates across the Commonwealth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Maintenance Institute (TMI): Maintenance training institute offering field days, demo days, workshops and webinars for parks and recreation maintenance professionals with reach beyond Pennsylvania
• Beyond the Park Bench Podcast
• Good for PA

Products and services

• Professional Membership Annual membership program for individuals and agencies working in Pennsylvania parks and recreation, providing access to member benefits, resources, and networking.
• Annual Conference and Trade Show Yearly multi-day conference featuring educational sessions, keynote speakers, an exhibit hall, and networking events for parks and recreation professionals across Pennsylvania.
• CPSI Certification Training Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) examination preparation and certification course offered to recreation professionals responsible for playground safety inspections.
• Continuing Education Workshops Targeted in-person and online training workshops covering topics relevant to parks and recreation operations, programming, and administration.
• Awards and Recognition Program Annual awards program recognizing outstanding parks, recreation facilities, programs, and professionals across Pennsylvania.
• Public Policy Advocacy State-level advocacy and public-policy work representing the interests of Pennsylvania parks and recreation agencies and professionals before the state legislature and agencies.
• Event Sponsorship Program Sponsorship opportunities for vendors, suppliers, and partner organizations to support PRPS events, including the annual conference and trade show.

Quantifiable outcome

• Member municipalities affect health and wellness of 1.3 million Pennsylvania residents
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• RCX SportscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCX Sports has partnered with PRPS to expand youth sports access and programming in Pennsylvania. The partnership aims to provide more opportunities for youth participation in sports through flag football (NFL Flag), soccer (MLS GO), basketball (Jr. NBA), and hockey (NHL Street) programs.
• National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPRPS is the State Affiliate of NRPA, the national organization for parks and recreation. This affiliation provides access to national resources, research, certifications, and connects Pennsylvania professionals to the broader profession.
• Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPSECU is a Champion Partner with PRPS, providing exclusive member benefits including credit union membership eligibility for Friend Members. This year-long partnership offers marketing exposure through email, social media, and in-person networking.
• PA Department of Conservation and Natural ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCNR is a key government partner providing funding opportunities, publications, and recreation planning resources. PRPS collaborates on state-wide initiatives including the Good for PA Toolkit.
• City Parks AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization focused on urban parks. PRPS connects members to City Parks Alliance resources for urban recreation programming and advocacy.
• Growing Greener CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on conservation and environmental funding in Pennsylvania. PRPS connects members to advocacy resources and funding opportunities.
• Learning Resources Network (LERN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLERN provides educational programming and resources that PRPS leverages for professional development offerings.
• Penn State PRO WellnessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth and wellness research partnership with Penn State Health. PRPS leverages PRO Wellness resources for the Culture of Health program.
• PA Association of Conservation DistrictsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership connecting parks and recreation professionals with conservation and environmental education resources.
• PA Department of Environmental ProtectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partner providing environmental resources and regulatory guidance for recreation facilities.
• PA Department of HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on health initiatives including the Culture of Health program, Young Lungs at Play tobacco-free signage, and park prescription programs.
• The Maintenance Institute (TMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTMI is a flagship PRPS program offering field days, demo days, workshops and webinars on park maintenance with far-reaching audience including other state association members.
• PA Parks and Forest FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner supporting parks and forest conservation and recreation initiatives in Pennsylvania.
• National Park ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner providing national parks resources and educational materials for PRPS members.
• National Center on AccessibilityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccessibility resources and expertise for inclusive recreation programming.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• New York State Recreation and Park Society (NYSRPS): NYSRPS is a regional state-society peer that serves recreation and park professionals in New York with analogous membership, conference, training, and advocacy services, comparable in mission and operating model to PRPS.
• Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD): IAPD is a state-level association representing park districts, recreation agencies, and professionals in Illinois; it offers training, conferences, advocacy, and a buying guide closely mirroring PRPS's portfolio in Pennsylvania.
• Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS): TRAPS serves Texas recreation and park professionals with the same combination of membership, professional development, annual conference, advocacy, and certification services that PRPS provides in Pennsylvania, making it a directly comparable state-society peer.
• Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA): FRPA is Florida's statewide professional association for parks and recreation, offering membership, conferences, training, and advocacy analogous to PRPS, and serves a comparably large professional constituency.
• Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA): OPRA is a neighboring Midwest/Northeast state association for parks and recreation professionals with a similar mix of membership tiers, annual conference, CEUs, certifications, and advocacy offerings directly comparable to PRPS.
• California Park & Recreation Society (CPRS): CPRS is a state-level professional membership association for parks and recreation professionals in California, mirroring PRPS's mission, governance, and member service mix (training, advocacy, conferences, certifications). It is the closest geographic analog to PRPS as a large-state affiliate.
• Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS): VRPS is the Virginia state affiliate professional association serving recreation and park professionals with a similar mix of membership, annual conference, certification, advocacy, and publications as PRPS.

Broad incumbents

• National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA): NRPA is the national umbrella organization for parks and recreation; PRPS is its Pennsylvania State Affiliate. NRPA is the broader incumbent that owns national certifications, advocacy, and research that PRPS channels locally, and would be the primary entity absorbing PRPS if it were acquired or restructured.

Others

• American Academy of Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA): AAPRA is a national professional honor society for park and recreation administration, overlapping with PRPS's senior leadership and professional development audience; it is an adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.
• City Parks Alliance: City Parks Alliance is a national nonprofit focused on urban parks and a listed PRPS partner for urban recreation programming and advocacy. It is an adjacent peer operating in the same constituency but at the national urban-parks layer rather than competing directly for PA members.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/PA_Rec_and_Park
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@pennsylvaniarecreationpark3492
• Facebookfacebook.com/PARECANDPARK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pennsylvania-recreation-park-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/paparkrec

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society