Overview
ARPA hosted the 2011 Parks Forum March 10-12th in Canmore, AB. The theme was Parks, Landscapes & Open Spaces - A LIFETIME of EXPERIENCES.
The theme of the 2011 Parks Forum captured the excitement created by the incredible diversity of issues and opportunities that exist for municipal, provincial and federal government parks and open space practitioners and their stakeholders to collectively explore, expand and enhance the concept of “Visitor Experience.”
View presentations for the 2011 Parks Forum on LIN »
For more information, contact Dan Chambers, Parks Forum Coordinator, at dchambers@arpaonline.ca.
Keynote Speakers, Presentations and Sessions
Keynote and plenary speakers for the 2011 Parks Forum included:
OPENING KEYNOTE:
Name: Andrew Campbell
Position: Director General, External Relations and Visitor Experience, Parks Canada
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Speech Title: A Lifetime of Learnings & Citizen Service (Or at least the first 100 years!)
Name: Anne Charlton, M.L.Arch, CSLA
Position: Director of Parks, City of Calgary
PLENARY WORKSHOP:
Speech Title: Facilitated Discussion Groups
Name: Doug Balsden
Position: Principal, Sunsetter Facilitation
PLENARY SPEAKER:
Speech Title: Cultural Literacy – A First Nations Perspective
Name: Casey Eagle Speaker
Position: Aboriginal Resource Dept. Hull Child & Family Services
PLENARY SPEAKER:
Name: Janette Loveys
Position: Manager of Parks, Capital Regional District Victoria, BC – Capital Region Parks
PLENARY SPEAKER:
Speech Title: Public Safety, Law Enforcement and the Park ExperienceName: Bruce van Staalduinen
Position: Manager, Operations & Development, Ontario Parks
The Parks Forum's practitioner-focused sessions and workshops addressed the total spectrum of areas affected by the challenge to enhance and sustain visitor experience including:
- Education and Visitor Services
- Planning and Design
- Resource Management & Protection
- Operations & Maintenance
- Public Safety & Security
- Research
- Regional Planning & Integrated Landscape Management
- Outreach & Partnerships
Who attends the Parks Forum?
Municipal, Provincial, and National Parks Practitioners; Allied Stakeholders; Partners; and Educators & Students.
Why attend the Parks Forum?
- It provides an excellent mix of topics delivered through a variety of formats that will provide a unique educational and staff development opportunity unattainable at a sector-specific event.
- The Parks Forum allows participants to Interact and network with a cross-section of municipal, provincial and national parks representatives and other key stakeholders.
Objectives of the Forum
Two of the primary objectives of the Parks Forum are:
- To provide educational and development opportunities that include the exchange of views, sharing of experiences and learning of new and unique approaches to planning and managing Alberta parks; and
- To develop ideas, concepts and proposals for realistic interaction and collaboration on issues and initiatives of common interest and concern. These important objectives will be achieved through a program that appeals to a broad range of interests and engages a variety of learning styles such as keynote speakers, inter-active workshops, concurrent sessions, panel discussions, plenary sessions and opportunities for informal social interaction.
Forum History
ARPA demonstrated proactive leadership in the field of parks and outdoor recreation by successfully facilitating the inaugural 2005 Parks Forum, A New Tomorrow.
The 2007 Parks Forum, which was themed Benefits Beyond Boundaries, was inspired by the incredible range and diversity of benefits provided by Alberta's parks, landscapes and open spaces.
The central theme of the 2009 Parks Forum was Linking Nature, Culture & Community, and it built on the forward looking themes of the two previous Forums. Presentations, workshops, and subsequent discussions explored the need for a total landscape approach to nature conservation and its potential to enhance the long term sustainability of Alberta's parks, landscapes and open spaces.
All of ARPA’s past Parks Forums have attracted a broad cross section of participants from Alberta's three major park providers (municipal, provincial and national) as well as a variety of key partners, educators and students.