NEWSFLASH:
Wegmans Passport Registration
Monday, October 19, 2009
Click here for the registration form.
2009 GVRPS Conference
Friday, November 13th, 2009
Click here for the registration form.
Prior to the establishment of the Genesee Valley Recreation and Park Society (GVRPS) in 1965, the only existing organization was the Monroe County Recreation and Parks Association. This organization encompassed a mixture of all levels of recreation and parks service providers.
As the different towns in Monroe County determined their need for full time (year round) departments, professional administrators appeared on the scene to assume these positions.
Being a relatively new profession in the area, the administrators realized that an arduous task laid ahead that would require close working relationships in order to establish themselves. To do this they needed an organization that could address administrative matters. This was not possible in the parent old guard structure of the Monroe County Recreation and Parks Association. Thus the Genesee Valley Recreation and Parks Society was created.
In 1967, after two years of chartered operation an invitation was extended to the Monroe County Recreation and Parks Association to join the Genesee Valley Recreation and Park Society (GVRPS) in a special membership category. The Monroe County Recreation and Parks Association eventually phased out and the Genesee Valley Recreation and Parks Society remained the single organization representing all professional levels of parks and recreation in a five county area.
Over the years GVRPS has been instrumental in advancing professionalism, alerting/educating the public regarding the many facets of this profession and encouraged/assisted the academic institutions in furthering professional development as well as the establishment of advanced degrees.
As a state area society, the GVRPS can boast an outstanding number of officers in the New York State Recreation and Parks Society over the years.
GVRPS worked closely with and was instrumental in the professional certification plan adopted by the New York State Recreation and Parks Society.
Forty-two (42) years later GVRPS continues to thrive as a leader in the Parks/Recreation field locally with an eleven county area as well as at the state level.
GVRPS info provided by Jim Donahue