West Michigan Recreation and Park Association is a non-profit group of regional professionals that focus on providing the highest quality service to their citizens. Whether you're a professional, citizen or business who understands the benefits of parks and recreation, WMRPA is for you.

What are some of WMRPA's benefits?

• Networking with professionals
• Educating the public on the importance of Parks and Recreation
• Advocacy
• New programs
• Best practices
• Endless resources through membership
• Professional development opportunities
• Meet great people and make great friends!

How important are parks and recreation? Here are a few examples of how parks and recreation creates community through people, parks and programs.

• Economic benefits
• Higher property values
• Great emotional value and return on investment for business sponsorships
• Active community = less cost for police
• Lower insurance and health care costs
• Increased work productivity
• Lower absenteeism
  
  
• Social benefits
• Meet neighbors
• Make lifelong friends
• Stay healthy
• Reduced crime
• Lower pregnancy rate
• Decreased drug usage
  
  
• Individual benefits
• Lower stress
• Healthier lifestyle
• Motivation to stay healthy
• Healthier as age increases
• Positive influence on family and peers
• Increased self esteem
  
  
• Regional benefits
• Preservation of parks
• Advocacy for parks and recreation
• Legislative voice
• Opportunities for ALL
• Increase in tourism
• Regional planning opportunities

It costs $40,000 per year to house a teen in a minimum security prison. For $40,000 the same teen could have played in open gym for a year, had three seasons of swim lessons, taken four enrichment classes, two self-defense courses, soccer camp and a year of art lessons.and have $39,230 left over!