Maryland Recreation And Parks Association (mrpa)

What Maryland Recreation And Parks Association (mrpa) does

Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) is a Maryland-based, nonprofit professional membership association that unites parks and recreation professionals, government agencies, and commercial vendors across the state. Its core mission is to advance park, recreation, and environmental conservation efforts in Maryland through networking, professional development, training, certifications (CPSI, CPRP, CPRE, AFO), advocacy, and an annual conference held each April. The organization operates three specialized branches (TR Branch, RALS Branch, and PARC Branch) to serve distinct sub-disciplines within the field and runs MRPA University, which houses three institutes: the Ritch Stevenson Leadership Institute, Park Operations University, and Recreation University.

MRPA's product surface is delivered primarily through a GrowthZone-powered member portal (MRPA Info Hub) that consolidates the training calendar, job postings, scholarship applications, member and commercial directories, and event registration into a single system. The product portfolio includes Individual Professional Membership, tiered Commercial Membership (Platinum, Gold, Bronze), MRPA Scholarships (including the Laura T. Wetherald Memorial Scholarship and Professional Development Scholarship of up to $300), MRPA University programs, certification preparation support, the annual conference, and a dedicated Careers portal. The technology stack is standard association management software rather than proprietary IP, with no mobile app, public API, or disclosed AI capabilities.

Revenue is generated through recurring annual membership dues at multiple tiers, annual conference and training registration fees, fee-based job postings per the MRPA Job Postings Information Guide, scholarship donations, and commercial sponsorship packages. The go-to-market is community-led: members are acquired via the website (mdrpa.org), weekly e-newsletter, social media channels, the annual conference, monthly branch meetings, and word-of-mouth within the Maryland parks and recreation community. The customer base spans county and municipal government agencies (e.g., Baltimore City, Howard County, Montgomery County, St. Mary's County, M-NCPPC Prince George's County, Greenbelt), individual practitioners, academia/students, and a roster of commercial vendors in equipment, lighting, surfacing, playground, turf, and landscape supply.

Name

Maryland Recreation And Parks Association (mrpa)

Legal name

Maryland Recreation and Parks Association, Inc.

Website

https://mdrpa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) is a nonprofit state-level professional membership association that unites parks and recreation professionals, government agencies, and commercial vendors across Maryland through training, certifications, networking, advocacy, and an annual conference delivered via a GrowthZone-powered member portal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bowie

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from professional members, agency members, and commercial members at various tiers including Platinum, Gold, Bronze commercial memberships.
2. Annual Conference and Training: Revenue from annual conference registration, educational workshops, and professional development training programs. Over 30 workshops and training opportunities offered annually.
3. Job Posting Services: Fee-based job posting service for employers seeking to recruit recreation and parks professionals, with pricing according to MRPA Job Postings Information Guide.
4. Scholarships: Donations accepted to support scholarship funding for members, with scholarships of up to $300 available for professional development and certifications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

MRPA is a nonprofit, membership-based professional association that unites Maryland's parks and recreation professionals, county and municipal agencies, citizens, and commercial partners. It delivers value through annual conferences, certifications (CPSI, CPRP, CPRE, AFO), MRPA University leadership and operations programs, scholarships, branch networking, a job-posting portal, a commercial member directory, and advocacy for the recreation and parks industry, all coordinated through a GrowthZone-powered member portal.

Product overview

Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) is a membership organization offering a portfolio of member services including professional membership, scholarships, certifications, educational programs through MRPA University, an annual conference, careers portal, and member directory. The organization uses the GrowthZone-powered member portal as its primary digital platform for member engagement, event management, and communications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MRPA Membership Annual professional membership that unites Maryland recreation and parks professionals, agencies, citizens, and commercial partners to advance networking, development, training, and advocacy for the recreation industry.
• MRPA Scholarships Funding pathways including the Laura T. Wetherald Memorial Scholarship covering CPRP/CPRE certification fees, a Professional Development Scholarship covering training events up to $300, and the MRPA University Scholarship covering Ritch Stevenson Leadership Institute, Operations University, Recreation University, or conference fees for qualifying members.
• MRPA University Multi-institute educational program comprising the Ritch Stevenson Leadership Institute, Park Operations University, and Recreation University for member professional development in leadership, operations, and recreation disciplines.
• MRPA Certifications Certification preparation support for Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI), Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE), and Aquatics Facilities Operator (AFO).
• MRPA Annual Conference Annual conference held in April offering workshops, networking, and professional development opportunities for Maryland recreation and parks professionals.
• MRPA Careers Portal Fee-based job posting service connecting recreation and parks professionals with employers in Maryland, with pricing determined by the MRPA Job Postings Information Guide.
• MRPA Member Directory Searchable directory of more than 100 active members including agency organizations and commercial partners, with geographic-radius search functionality available to members and visitors.
• MRPA Info Hub Member Portal Online member portal providing access to training calendar, job opportunities, scholarship information, member and vendor directory, social events, account management, and event registration, powered by GrowthZone.

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Cunningham RecreationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlatinum commercial member providing park and playground equipment, safety surfacing, and installation services. One of the association's flagship commercial partners with prominent logo placement.
• Sparks At PlaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlatinum commercial member providing play, splash, shelter, shade, surfacing, bleachers, and site amenities for recreation facilities.
• Musco LightingmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial sponsor providing sports lighting solutions for parks and recreation facilities.
• Crown TrophymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial sponsor providing awards and trophy services for association events and member recognition.
• Playground Specialists IncmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial member providing playground equipment and related services.
• Turf Equipment and Supply CompanymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial sponsor providing turf equipment and landscape supplies for parks and recreation facilities.
• Metro Recreation Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBronze tier commercial member providing recreation equipment and supplies.
• Bliss ProductsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial sponsor providing recreation products and supplies.
• EquipKo LLCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial sponsor providing equipment and supplies for recreation facilities.
• W.S. ConnellyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial sponsor providing landscape supply services.
• NRPA (National Recreation and Parks Association)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational affiliation with NRPA, the primary national organization for parks and recreation. MRPA supports certifications including CPRP and CPRE through NRPA, and members can access NRPA resources and the national professional community.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• New York State Recreation and Park Society (NYSRPS): State-level professional association for New York's parks, recreation, and leisure services professionals. Directly comparable mission, member structure, and event/training offerings.
• Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA): Florida's state-level professional association for parks, recreation, and leisure professionals. Comparable membership, certification, conference, and advocacy model to MRPA.
• California Park & Recreation Society (CPRS): California's statewide association for park, recreation, and leisure services professionals. Operates the same professional-association model as MRPA at a larger state-scale.
• Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS): Direct state-level professional association serving recreation and parks professionals in Virginia. Operates the same membership, training, conference, and certification model as MRPA, serving a neighboring Mid-Atlantic jurisdiction.
• Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS): State-level professional association for Pennsylvania parks and recreation professionals. Closely comparable operating model to MRPA — membership tiers, conferences, training, certifications, and government-agency member base.
• Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS): State-level professional association serving Texas parks and recreation professionals. Same operating model as MRPA — memberships, training, certifications, conferences, advocacy, and chapter/branch structure.
• Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA): Ohio's state-level association for parks and recreation professionals. Comparable structure, mission, and revenue model to MRPA, including training and government agency members.
• Illinois Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA): State-level professional association serving Illinois parks, recreation, and therapeutic recreation professionals. Directly comparable model and member structure.
• North Carolina Recreation and Park Association (NCRPA): North Carolina's state-level professional association for parks and recreation. Directly comparable membership, conference, certification, and advocacy operating model to MRPA.

Broad incumbents

• National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA): The national umbrella organization for parks and recreation in the United States. MRPA is explicitly affiliated with NRPA for credentialing (CPRP, CPRE), making NRPA both a strategic partner and the broadest incumbent operating in the same professional category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MDRecParksAssoc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtgOw1Xs1t7EEdBAS9-7VYg
• Facebookfacebook.com/MDRecParksAssoc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mdrecandparks
• Instagraminstagram.com/mdrecparksassoc/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Maryland Recreation And Parks Association (mrpa)