NRPA 2025: A Guide for Parks & Recreation Designers
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Conference is happening September 16–18 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida! We’re excited to announce that CADdetails will be there, and we hope to see you on the show floor. We’re your go-to spot to find the perfect products for your next project.
In this guide, we’ll share:
Top Booths & Sessions to Check Out
4 Tips for a Great NRPA Experience
What to Do in Sunny Orlando
Greenfields Outdoor Fitness creates innovative, user-friendly outdoor fitness equipment that transforms parks and public spaces into inclusive wellness destinations. With designs for all ages and fitness levels—including multi-user stations and ADA-accessible options—Greenfields helps communities stay active and connected outdoors.
Source: NRPA
Top Booths & Sessions to Check Out
Must-See Exhibitors
| Company | Booth # | What They Specialize In |
|---|---|---|
| AGL Grass Inc | 548 | Pet-friendly turf solutions |
| Americana Outdoors | 1537 | Recreational amenities and outdoor furnishing |
| Aquaworx | 1400 | Pool and spa solutions |
| AstroTurf, SYNLawn, & Laykold | 219 & 225 | Synthetic turf, artificial grass, and sports surfaces |
| BarkPark | 1107 | Dog park equipment |
| BCI Burke Playgrounds | 1319 | Playgrounds, outdoor fitness, and recreation products |
| Berliner | 701 | Play equipment and rope climbing structures |
| Childforms | 2228 | Commercial playground equipment and accessories |
| Complete Streets USA | 2224 | Paving and streetscape solutions |
| Cre8Play | 2101 | Play products, custom environments, and play sculptures |
| DOGIPOT | 1015 | Dog park equipment and waste removal solutions |
| Dog-ON-It-Parks | 609 | Dog agility equipment and dog park amenities |
| Douglas Sports Equipment | 247 | Sports equipment |
| DuMor | 807 | Commercial outdoor site furnishings |
| Ex-Cell Kaiser | 708 | Receptacles and facility maintenance solutions |
| FlexGround | 1415 | Rubber surfacing for playgrounds, aquatic parks, and athletic courts |
| Freenotes Harmony Park | 911 | Musical instruments for playgrounds |
| Frog Furnishings | 1408 | Outdoor furniture |
| GameTime | 901 | Commercial playground and fitness equipment |
| Green Flush Restrooms | 407 | Prefabricated modular restrooms |
| Greenfields Outdoor Fitness | 1519 | Outdoor exercise equipment |
| GridShift Solar Lighting | 2201 | Solar lighting |
| Gyms for Dogs | 1837 | Dog agility equipment and dog playground solutions |
| ICON Shelter Systems | 1513 | Shelter structures |
| Kafka Granite | 1054 | Natural stone solutions |
| Kay Park | 2145 | Commerical outdoor furniture |
| KOMPAN | 1357 | Commerical playground equipment and outdoor fitness solutions |
| Modern Shade | 519 | Fabric shade structures |
| Most Dependable Fountains | 855 | Outdoor drinking fountains |
| National Recreation Systems | 1514 | Bleachers, outdoor benches, and outdoor tables |
| No Fault Surfaces | 1813 | Playground surfacing products |
| Outdoor-Fit | 606 | Outdoor fitness equipment |
| Percussion Play | 1819 | Outdoor musical instruments |
| Petersen Manufacturing | 849 | Precast concrete site furnishings |
| Pilot Rock | 1937 | Park, street, and campsite furnishings |
| Play & Park Structures | 1209 | Playground equipment and products |
| Playcraft Systems | 1500 | Playground equipment, surfacing, and amenities |
| Playground Grass | 1035 | Synthetic turf for playgrounds |
| RCP Shelters | 822 | Shelter solutions |
| Robertson Recreational Surfaces | 1114 | Recreational and sport surfacing |
| Romtec | 1329 | Park and recreation buildings including restrooms, pavilions, and concessions |
| Shade Systems | 1719 | Fabric shade solutions |
| Shaw Sports Turf | 735 | Synthetic turf solutions |
| SpectraTurf | 2031 | Rubber playground safety surfaces |
| SprintPlay | 1512 | Playground turf solutions |
| Stabilizer Solutions | 2136 | Organic soil binders for pathways and driveways |
| Superior Recreational Products | 1201 | Outdoor commercial recreation equipment |
| Surface America | 1933 | Recreational and athletic surfacing |
| TreeDiaper | 331 | Plant protection systems |
| Turf Producers Association | 547 | Turfgrass varieties like RTF Sod and HGT Sod |
| UltraSite | 1113 | Site amenities, park benches, picnic tables, and bike racks |
| Unity Surfacing Systems | 514 | Playground surfacing and rooftop pavers |
| Unlimited Sports Solutions | 2350 | Athletic facility equipment and products |
| Victor Stanley | 1407 | Outdoor site furniture, amenities, and waste solutions |
| Vortex Aquatic Structures | 1345 | Water park equipment and water play solutions |
| Zeager Bros | 644 | Natural mulch landscape and recreation surfaces |
| USA Shade | 1613 | Fabric shade structures |
| Brock USA | 1531 | Artificial grass turf solutions |
| Superior Shade | 1412 | Commercial shade structures |
Education Sessions
| Session | Speaker(s) | When | Where | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greener Grounds: Building a Sustainable Future With Synthetic Turf Sports Complexes | Lacey Lawrence, Dave Kraft, Frank Parisi, Brandon Dowling | Tuesday, September 16 from 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM EST | W108 | With over 8,000 synthetic turf fields in use across North America, demand for safe, low-maintenance, and high-performance surfaces continues to rise. This session explores how synthetic turf complexes can become inclusive, climate-resilient hubs that deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits, while offering practical guidance on sustainable design, resource conservation, and long-term financial planning. |
| Using Virtual Reality to Build the Future of Real-World Parks | Nathan Williams | Tuesday, September 16 from 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM EST | W108 | This session will explore how to use virtual reality (VR) to boost engagement and accessibility through 360-degree video tours, virtual skill-building, and immersive activity exploration. Participants will experience VR examples firsthand and learn how to create and share similar content using budget-friendly tools and techniques. |
| Beyond Ramps: Designing Playgrounds Through Parents' Perspective | Mara Kaplan | Wednesday, September 17 from 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM EST | W103 | Welcoming playgrounds are vital to building healthier, more inclusive communities. This workshop empowers professionals with practical strategies to design play spaces that serve all families, especially those raising children with disabilities, through real-life examples, hands-on exercises, and insights drawn from decades of experience. |
| The Power of Placemaking: How Parks Foster Connected, Welcoming Communities | Morgan Marler, Cary Simmons | Thursday, September 18 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST | W303 | Parks are more than places to play—they’re essential spaces for building social connection, belonging, and community well-being. This session will explore how placemaking, arts, and culture can transform parks into vibrant, inclusive hubs, featuring research-backed strategies and real-world case studies that highlight the powerful role parks play in fostering unity, resilience, and public health. |
4 Tips for a Great NRPA Experience
Stay Fueled & Hydrated: Keep your energy up by eating regularly, drinking plenty of water, and taking breaks when needed. Remember to pack a reusable water bottle and plenty of snacks.
Stay Fueled & Hydrated: Keep your energy up by eating regularly, drinking plenty of water, and taking breaks when needed. Remember to pack a reusable water bottle and plenty of snacks.
Dress for the Day: Comfort is key! Wear supportive shoes for long hours on your feet and dress in layers to stay comfortable in changing temperatures.
Connect Through Affinity Groups: Don’t miss the Affinity Group Meet Ups—an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow attendees who share your interests, background, or experiences.
Recharge in Well-Being Spaces: Take care of yourself during the conference by visiting dedicated spaces designed to promote calm and mindfulness:
Meditation Room
A peaceful, self-guided space to refresh and recenter. Yoga mats are available.Multi-Faith Room
A welcoming area for quiet reflection, prayer, and spiritual expression for all beliefs.Quiet Room
Step away from the stimulation of the convention floor. This calming space offers tools like adult coloring pages and sensory items to help you reset.
What to Do in Sunny Orlando, FL
We know the NRPA conference is going to keep you busy, but if you can carve out a little downtime, Orlando has plenty to offer beyond the convention floor. Whether you're extending your trip or just sneaking in some sightseeing, here are a few ways to make the most of your time in the Sunshine State:
Stroll Through Lake Eola Park – Located in the heart of downtown, this peaceful spot offers walking trails, swan boat rentals, and beautiful skyline views.
Source: City of Orlando
Savor Local Cuisine – From hearty Southern comfort food to modern gastropubs, Orlando’s food scene has something for every palate. Explore this list of the city’s top 20 restaurants to start planning your culinary adventure.
Catch Some Culture – The Orlando Museum of Art and Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts are great places to soak up some local creativity.
Explore Iconic Theme Parks – From Walt Disney World to Universal Studios, Orlando’s world-famous attractions are just a short drive away.
After a productive day on the show floor, Orlando’s sunshine, scenery, and entertainment are the perfect way to recharge.
Connect with CADdetails at NRPA 2025
We’re so excited to be attending NRPA 2025! Keep an eye out for our team member, Luca, who will be walking the show floor and ready to chat about what you're working on and how CADdetails can help you find the perfect products to bring your vision to life.
In the meantime, you can explore thousands of project-ready CAD/BIM/3D models and 3-Part Specifications on CADdetails.com. See you at the show!
Cover image by Kruck20 on Canva
