Genesee Valley Recreation and Park Society

Good afternoon GVRPS Membership & Friends,

It's Time For Another Meet Your 2026-2027 GVRPS Executive Board!

We’re excited to introduce our newest Member-at-Large, Bridget Bartholomay!

Organization – Town of Henrietta Recreation
Current Position at Organization – Recreation Assistant
Years in Parks & Recreation – 11 years

Favorite Recreation Program/Event – My favorite recreation programs are the holiday special events, gymnastics programs and our Pokémon Party and Saturday Sports program where we can play different games with kids.

Favorite Hobby Outside of Work – I enjoy hiking, running, watching sports and spending time with my family and friends!

Favorite Food – Mexican food
Favorite Vacation Destination – Yellowstone National Park, or a trip to an Indiana Fever game.

One Fun Fact About Yourself – I've met several Olympians! I was at a book signing for Abby Wambach, met members of the 1980 USA hockey team at a baseball game and Miranda Melville is an Olympic race walker and an alumni from my school's cross country and track and field program.

Beach vs. Mountains - Mountains

Here’s to an exciting first year on the Executive Board! We’re looking forward to all that Bridget will accomplish with GVRPS. 😊

Hello GVRPS Members and Friends,

Registration is now open for the 2026 GVRPS Annual Glenn Boetcher Memorial Golf Tournament!

📅 Friday, September 11, 2026
⛳ 12:30 PM Shotgun Start
📍 Durand Eastman Golf Course

The cost is $65 per player, and registration includes:
• Green fees
• Golf cart
• Dinner
• Drinks
• Snacks

A portion of each registration fee will help fund the GVRPS Student Scholarship Program, supporting the next generation of recreation professionals.

Please register by Friday, September 4, 2026. Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-U71wJF440En1xMuwsAqHLp9eXhlAlzImijHuOm2MmPkt5g/viewform

Questions? Contact Ryan Rockefeller at [email protected].

We hope you’ll join us for a great afternoon of golf, networking, and fun while supporting a great cause. Don’t miss your shot—we’d hate to see you putt it off!

Good afternoon GVRPS & Friends,

Meet Your 2026-2027 GVRPS Executive Board!

Next up, we’re excited to introduce our Treasurer, Stacie Paris!

Organization – Gates Recreation
Current Position at Organization – Recreation Supervisor
Years in Parks & Recreation – 19 years

Favorite Recreation Program/Event – Munchkin Madness, a weekly preschool program I created right after my internship! I love the kiddos that come through and their amazing families. It’s also rewarding to see them come back and visit when they are all grown up. (2 of my original Munchkins worked our summer camp last year!)

Favorite Hobby Outside of Work – Hanging out with my friends and family and sports! Watching my kids play their sports, playing soccer myself, attending Bills and Sabres games, watching sports on tv.

Favorite Food – Tacos or homemade gnocchi’s
Favorite Vacation Destination – Anywhere on the beach!
One Fun Fact About Yourself – I am ambidextrous!
Coffee vs Tea…. 100% Coffee. Black, hot coffee every day!

With over 8 years of board experience under her belt, Stacie is ready for another amazing year of serving our members!

Good Morning GVRPS Members and Friends,

This is a friendly reminder that applications for the 2026 GVRPS Professional Development Scholarship are due THIS FRIDAY (July 10th)!

This scholarship offers up to $2,250 in funding to help one of our members attend the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA – September 29-October 1. Whether you’re looking to grow your network, get inspired, or bring fresh ideas back to your agency, this is an incredible opportunity to invest in your professional journey.

📌 Application Deadline: THIS Friday, July 10
📄 Application Link Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWopMfQQgHVLf-Kh69LUmEO_icD8XJCo-OWU2OxjSiEx81Qw/viewform?pli=1

Full details and the eligibility criteria included on the Google Form.
Important Note: Previous recipients are welcome to apply again, but priority will be given to new applicants.

Let’s keep growing the future of parks and recreation together!

We can’t wait to review your application.

Good afternoon GVRPS Membership & Friends,

Meet Your 2026-2027 GVRPS Executive Board!

Next up, we’re excited to introduce our President-Elect, Joe Kincaid!

Organization- Perinton Recreation and Parks
Current Position at Organization- Recreation Supervisor
Years in Parks & Recreation- 15 years

Favorite Recreation Program/Event- My favorite recreation program/event is a tie between the annual Pizza Poll and our Ping Pong Parkinson program. The Pizza Poll is fun engaging and tasty. Ping Pong Parkinson is a program that helps stave off cognitive decline in people with Parkinson’s Disease, so it’s a program that provides a wonderful benefit to participants.

Favorite Hobby Outside of Work- Golf and spending time with my family!
Favorite Food- Chicken wings for sure!
Favorite Vacation Destination- Warm places with amazing food!
One Fun Fact About Yourself- I love to make homemade pizza!
Bagels or Donuts?- Without a doubt, DONUTS!

Sounds like our board is hungry! What would you pick – bagels or donuts? Let us know in the comments!

We’re excited to have Joe on the board and look forward to the ideas, leadership, and enthusiasm he’ll bring this year!

Good afternoon GVRPS Membership and Friends!

Meet Your 2026-2027 GVRPS Executive Board!

First up, we’re excited to introduce our new Secretary, Michele Patterson! Learn about Michele:

Organization: Town of Brighton
Current Position at Organization: Senior Recreation Supervisor
Years in Parks & Recreation: 15
Favorite Recreation Program/Event: Close call between our Halloween Trunk or Treat and Holiday Family Bingo in your Jammies

Favorite Hobby Outside of Work: Playing ice hockey with my husband and friends
Favorite Food: Peanut butter... the fact that it is an allergen is so sad!
Favorite Vacation Destination: Costa Rica

One Fun Fact About Yourself: In 2023, my husband and I saw Spain's team win (for the first time!) the Women's World Cup in Australia. It was such a cool experience!
Blue Cheese or Ranch: Blue cheese always over ranch, especially for buffalo chicken!!

Help us settle this important debate: Blue Cheese or Ranch. Which team are you on? Let us know in the comments!

We’re excited to have Michele on board and can’t wait to see all the great things she will bring to GVRPS this year!

Good Afternoon GVRPS Members and Friends,

We’re excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 GVRPS Professional Development Scholarship!

This scholarship offers up to $2,250 in funding to help one of our members attend the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA – September 29-October 1. Whether you’re looking to grow your network, get inspired, or bring fresh ideas back to your agency, this is an incredible opportunity to invest in your professional journey.

📌 Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 10
📄 Application Link Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWopMfQQgHVLf-Kh69LUmEO_icD8XJCo-OWU2OxjSiEx81Qw/viewform?pli=1

Full details and the eligibility criteria included on the Google Form.

Important Note: Previous recipients are welcome to apply again, but priority will be given to new applicants.

Let’s keep growing the future of parks and recreation together!

We can’t wait to review your application.

Good Morning GVRPS Members and Friends,

This is a friendly reminder of an exciting job opportunity from our friends at the Webster Parks and Recreation, Webster NY.

The department is currently seeking a full-time Recreation Leader to join their team. This is a 40-hour work week position with weekends and evenings required. This position is responsible for planning, organizing and conducting athletic and/or leisure time activities for one or more specific segments of a total recreation program. Duties include assisting with program development and implementation with a focus on program instruction.

More information can be found here: https://www.websterny.gov/Jobs.aspx?UniqueId=103&From=All&CommunityJobs=False&JobID=Recreation-Leader-96

Please apply by email to [email protected]. Deadline is this Friday, May 15th.

Have a great day!

Recreation Leader Department: Parks & Recreation Starting Pay: $21.96 - $28.98 per hour Category: Full Time Position: Recreation Leader Job...

Good afternoon GVRPS Membership and Friends!

SAVE THE DATE! It's time to welcome warmer weather and cap off the 2025-2026 GVRPS year!

We invite all members and friends to join us for a relaxing day at King's Bend Park- North Lodge in Pittsford for our Annual Meeting! We will review the 2025-2026 year, reveal the results of our 2026-2027 Executive Board Ballot, and share goals for the year to come. The event is FREE and will include a complimentary lunch and an after meeting social as a thank you to our members. The festivities will begin at noon!

Schedule of Day:
12:00PM- Lunch
1:00PM- Recreation Connection
1:30PM- Annual Meeting Starts
3:00PM- Social time!

Each attendee should fill out their own form.

Thank you to our awesome sponsors, MRC Recreation, Parkitects and LaBella Associates for their generous support for making this event possible!

Please RSVP by Monday, May 4th. Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvj36uLSZd7CldfUIj_MMSb4YXLQzZ5sCnN2GvxQJSRpF5hw/viewform

Address:
King's Bend Park- NORTH LODGE
170 W Jefferson Rd
Pittsford, NY 14534

Thank you so much for your continued support of GVRPS and the field of recreation! We will see you there!

Good morning GVRPS Membership & Friends,

Our friends with the Finger Lakes region of New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) have a few Recreation Therapy opening that they would like to share with the membership!

These positions including (3) Recreation Therapists and (2) Senior Recreation Therapists. The minimum qualifications include bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation, Physical Education or Adaptive Education.

The link below includes the job postings. Just scroll down to Recreation Therapist to see the various position descriptions.

https://opwdd.ny.gov/career-opportunities/clinical-positions

Thank you so much for your continued support of the field of recreation and GVRPS. Have a great day!

Clinical Positions Clinical positions within OPWDD perform a wide range of duties to provide care to people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Positions within this category include treatment in areas such as Social Work, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Language Pathology.