The City of Parkville is pleased to announce that Brittanie Propes, Park and Recreation Department Director, was the first woman in Missouri to receive the Certified Park and Recreation Executive certification from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The Board of Aldermen recognized her at the June 20, 2023, meeting.
The Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) establishes a national standard for managerial, administrative and executive parks and recreation professionals and focuses on the practical knowledge and current real-world skills necessary in today’s changing park and recreation environment. There are currently more than 6,400 park and recreation professionals who have become Certified Park and Recreation Professionals, but only 285 have the CPRE designation and only 10 are from Missouri, including Propes.
In order to become certified, applicants must successfully pass a CPRE examination; have a current Certified Park and Recreation Professional Certification; and have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited education institution and five years of professional full-time manager experience within the following areas:
- Communication
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Operations
- Planning & Policy
Prior to working for the City of Parkville, Propes had more than 12 years of experience in parks and recreation-related fields. She received her bachelor’s degree from Park University and previously worked for Lillian James Creative, the City of Excelsior Springs, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City and the City of Smithville as the Recreation and Marketing Manager.
City Administrator Alexa Barton said, “We are so proud of Brittanie and her endeavor to earn this certification. In order to achieve this accreditation, Brittanie met the education, experience and qualifications required by the NRPA – proving she is in the top of her field. Moreover, this is but one example of how she continually leads by example in demonstrating her commitment to our parks and recreation team, leadership and our community. She has the passion, energy, knowledge, skillset and drive to make lasting contributions within not only our parks, but the entire city and region. Simply put, Brittanie enjoys what she does – and it shows in her commitment and drive to the city…and to herself.”
For more information, contact Parkville City Hall at (816) 741-7676.
