Keith Marquardt, Shawano County parks director, was recently certified as a park and recreation professional by the National Certification Board and the National Recreation and Park Association.
The certification is granted to individuals employed in the recreation, park resources and leisure services professions who meet the eligibility requirements — including a combination of higher education and/or work experience — and who successfully complete the national CPRP examination. The examination tests knowledge in all aspects of general administration, programming and operations management for parks and recreation.
CPRP certifications are valid for two years, and professionals who wish to re-apply are required to complete continuing education requirements or equivalent academic course work.
Marquardt has been the Shawano County parks director since April 2009. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a major in recreation and parks administration. He has been a resident of Shawano for the majority of his life.
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 20,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives and conservation of natural and cultural resources.
For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrec-magazine.org.