Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands

09/14/2026

September is National Service Dog Awareness Month!

As we enjoy parks, trails, sidewalks, outdoor events, and other public spaces, remember that service dogs are working partners, not pets.

When you encounter a service dog:
• Give the dog and handler plenty of space
• Don’t pet, call to, feed, or distract the dog
• Keep your own pets under control and at a respectful distance
• Speak to the handler, not the dog

A little awareness helps make our shared outdoor spaces safer, more welcoming, and more accessible for everyone.

Image Credit: National Park Service

09/12/2026

Award nominations and applications are now open for the 2027 Great Lakes Park Training Institute! GLPTI presents two awards, the Richard Lawson Award for Professional Excellence and the Great Lakes Park, Facility, or Program Award.

Great Lakes Park, Facility, or Program Award - Presented to park facilities and programs completed within the last five years that represent the cutting edge of the leisure movement throughout the United States.

Richard Lawson Award for Professional Excellence - Presented to individuals who exemplify continued and significant contributions to the parks and recreation profession in the Great Lakes region.

Learn more about these awards on our website! https://iidc.indiana.edu/eppley/glpti/2027-conference/awards_and_scholarships.html

09/09/2026

Sponsor opportunities are now open for the 2027 Great Lakes Park Training Institute! GLPTI explores current issues and techniques in parks management, outdoor recreation, stewardship, provides networking opportunities, and recognizes outstanding projects and individuals at the annual awards event. Your support as a sponsor is crucial to continuing this unique educational opportunity and gives you exposure to over 250 park professionals!

Learn more about sponsoring GLPTI at the link below!
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/eppley/glpti/2027-conference/sponsorship-opportunities.html

09/04/2026

Eppley's Clay Chafin and Dr. Kristina Anderson will be presenting at Indiana Park & Recreation Association's Trails Gathering. Join them on September 10th as they take you through 10-year Indiana trail trends, practical ways to leverage impact data to secure grant funding, and how departments can collaborate on the new study!

Register today at: https://www.inpra.org/event-calendar #!event/2026/9/10/trails-gathering

09/01/2026

The glitch with the GLPTI website is FIXED! The CAPTCHA issue impacting GLPTI has been given the boot. Thanks for your patience while we worked through the hiccup. We’re excited to have you back on track!
Visit our newly repaired website at https://go.iu.edu/glpti

08/28/2026

Happy National Park Week! Eppley has been lucky enough to do work in some stunning national parks. Here are just a few of the beautiful parks we have worked with.

08/26/2026

Dolly Parton's spirit shined as bright as her rhinestones. Her passing weighs heavy on our hearts. We will always remember her, and we will think of her and her all-welcoming spirit as we continue our work to ensure that the state she loved is accessible so everyone can see the beauty she saw in it.

Dolly Parton proved that Tennessee hospitality is legendary. The Eppley Center's National Center on Accessibility (NCA) is proud to partner with Tennessee State Parks to deliver foundational accessibility training to park staff across the Volunteer State, focusing on accessibility verses usability, inclusive programming, and practical strategies to eliminate physical and communication barriers.

As Dolly said, "If you see someone without a smile, give 'em one of yours." We are honored to work to make sure everyone has a reason to smile outdoors.

Learn more about the NCA: https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/eppley/our-programs/nca/index.html

Image courtesy of Tennessee State Parks.

08/25/2026

Become a speaker at the Great Lakes Park Training Institute!
GLPTI has openings for professionals to present at GLPTI, the nation’s premiere park training conference. This year’s conference will be held from February 22nd - 25th, 2027 at the Potawatomi Inn in Pokagon State Park, Angola, Indiana.
Your expertise is welcome! For more information and to apply to become a speaker, contact us at [email protected] or visit the GLPTI website at hiidc.indiana.edu/eppley/glpti/2027-conference/Presenter%20Information.html.

08/21/2026

Join us at the Great Lakes Parks Training Institute for the Women in Parks Leadership program. This innovative and inspiring program will run from February 22nd to 25th at Pokagon State Park in Angola, IN. You can enjoy all the benefits of GLPTI while earning your certificate of participation in the WPL program and make connections with women who share your passion.

Learn more about this program on our website: https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/eppley/our-programs/glpti/2027-conference/wpl.html

08/17/2026

Register today for the 2027 Great Lakes Park Training Institute!
Featuring four session tracks:
1: Personnel and Career Development
2: Park and Facilities Maintenance
3: Natural Resource Management
4. Natural and Cultural Interpretation

GLPTI is the can't-miss event for parks and recreation professionals seeking to grow their professional skills! Register today at the link below!
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/eppley/glpti/2027-conference/index.html