Join us on April 7 for the 2016 Facing the Future Forum. In conjunction with the 25th anniversary of MetroGreen®, this year's forum focuses on the value of integrating parks and green space into your communities planning efforts. Investing in parks and green space not only serves as recreational spaces for families, it also demonstrates to employers that your community wants to provide a healthy ecosystem for potential employees and citizens. In addition to the economic and community development potential, parks can play a vital role to address community health concerns. A telephone survey conducted for the American Public Health Association found that 75 percent of adults believe parks and recreation must play an important role in addressing America's obesity crisis. Our keynote speaker will be joined by a panel of local government leaders and a professor of landscape architecture and planning who have worked to make green space integral in community planning efforts.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: SUSAN TRAUTMAN

Susan Trautman is the executive director of The Great Rivers Greenway District, a regional park district located in the St. Louis metropolitan area covering 1,200 square miles and serving a population of 2 million people. She was instrumental in developing the River Ring, a 600-mile web of more than 45 greenways, parks and trails. For 35 years, she guided the development of numerous parks, trails and recreation centers. Prior to managing the district, she worked for the cities of Clayton and Des Peres in Missouri and SWT Design. Trautman was recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as a "2011 Top 25 Influential Business Women" and currently serves as the chair for the National Recreation and Park Association.

2016 PANELISTS:

• Janet Bartnik, Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Liberty
• Bill Maasen, Superintendent of Parks and Golf Courses, Johnson County Parks and Recreation District
• Brian Nowotny, Director, Platte County Parks and Recreation
• Stephanie Rolley, Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture and Community Planning, Kansas State University
• Panel Moderator: Mark McHenry, Director, Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, City of Kansas City, Missouri

2016 SPONSORS:

WHERE:
Town Square at the
Kauffman Foundation
Conference Center
4801 Rockhill Rd.
Kansas City, MO

When:
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Registration and
Continental Breakfast: 8 a.m.
Program: 8:30–11 a.m.

Cost:
General Admission: $25
Student Rate: $15

REGISTER: Online
Call: 816-701-8234
Email: Beverly Wilson

Presenting Co-sponsors:

• Greater Kansas City Chapter, American Society for Public Administration
• Mid-America
  Regional Council

Contributing Sponsors:

• Park University
• City of Kansas
  City, Missouri
• UMKC Bloch School
  of Management,
  Dept. of Public Affairs
• KU Public
  Management Center