The American Association of Special Districts (AASD) will host its first virtual Park & Recreation Division forum, scheduled to feature an expert panel discussion covering alternative revenue sources and a roundtable conversation to identify park districts’ priorities and needs for 2025.
The National Recreation and Park Association will also join the Forum to provide insights on upcoming federal issues of note for park and recreation services.
America’s park & recreation district leaders and stakeholders are invited to the inaugural Division Forum on Wednesday, October 16, via Zoom at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT for an engaging discussion to network with district leaders, share best practices, and collaborate on common issues. This October 16 virtual meeting will feature an expert panel covering approaches to development and impact fees as an alternative revenue source – especially in growing communities facing the pinch of tax and fee revenue limitations – and how to advocate for the impact fee policies.
Registration is required to attend the virtual meeting (via Zoom).
Please register here.
Leading the Impact & Development Fee Panel are Corey Torres, Tehachapi Valley Recreation & Park District and AASD Founding Board Member, and Steph Thisius, North of the River Recreation & Park District Director of Planning and Construction, – both of whom have been instrumental leaders to address their local park district impact fee issues -; and Dmitry Semenov, Ridgeline Municipal Strategies’ Founding Partner and expert in the fee structure concept.
Further, park district stakeholders attending the virtual forum will have the opportunity to engage with their peers from across the nation on important issues impacting their districts and services to their communities. Conversations will be geared toward setting priorities to unite, strengthen, and advance special districts providing park and recreation services in 2025. The Forum will also feature a brief legislative update, time permitting.
Click here for the AASD Park & Recreation Division Fall Forum Agenda.
Please register to attend the October 16 Forum using this link.
Future Park & Recreation Division Forums will be exclusive to AASD’s Park & Recreation District Members, as it will be a centerpiece of AASD’s formal programming in 2025.
The American Association of Special Districts was established in August 2024 to fulfill the long-standing need for a strong association to navigate and address broad, underlying issues impacting the nation’s 35,000+ special districts through three core concepts.
AASD is accepting interest applications from special districts and stakeholders to trial programming as it develops and become an AASD Founding Member. Learn more at www.americasdistricts.org/join.
For questions, contact cole@americasdistricts.org.
Photo by Jennifer Birdie Shawker on Unsplash