The National Recreation and Parks Association

Date of Recording Being Released: First Monday in November 2025

Who Should Enroll? New and developing aquatic professionals, departmental leadership positions interested in expanding their aquatic facility management knowledge.

Program Details The program includes six online courses which are the key concepts in operating and managing an aquatic facility.

NRPA Aquatic Management Professional: Budget and Finance?

This course provides an understanding of the fundamentals for budgeting and finances as they relate to aquatic management. Learners will be presented the with principals and resources to describe the budget process and an organizational objectives. This course provides insight for calculation expenses, setting price points, estimating revenues, achieving targets, determining return on investment, and areas of alternative funding.

NRPA Aquatic Management Professional: Marketing?

This course provides the fundamentals of Marketing for the Aquatic Management Professional. Learners will be able to recognize the components of a marketing plan, how to apply marketing strategies to aquatic programming and to identify their marketing segments and how to best reach them.

NRPA Aquatic Management Professional: Maintenance?

This course provides an understanding of the fundamentals for maintenance as it relates to aquatic management. Learners will be presented with how to apply a Planned Maintenance System to conduct daily and preventative maintenance for facility management. Advanced maintenance planning methods and resources are shared along with hearing how current events shape the future of maintenance management.

NRPA Aquatic Management Professional: Risk Management?

This course provides the fundamentals of aquatic risk management including risk reduction to enhance aquatic safety. Learners will understand the importance in developing policies and procedures for safety and risk mitigation as they relate to aquatic management.

NRPA Aquatic Management Professional: Programming and Event Planning

This course provides the fundamentals of Program & Event planning for the Aquatic Management Professional. Learners will understand the integral role of programming and events for the success of aquatic facilities. Essential topics include creative ways to enhance programming and collaborations.

NRPA Aquatic Management Professional: Human Resource Management

This course provides the fundamentals of human resource management. Learners will be able to identify the core components of the recruitment process and communicate effectively with employees. Essential topics include the implementation and delivery of performance evaluations and engaging your multi-generational teams.

CEU's: 1.2

CEU's: 0.3

CEU's: 0.2

CEU's: 0.2

CEU's: 0.2

CEU's: 0.1

CEU's: 0.2

NRPA’s Splash Pad Certificate Program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to create and implement a water play recreation area for your agency and community. By completing this online certificate program, you will gain the expertise necessary to plan, design, operate and maintain a splash pad facility. Included in this certificate are the following courses:

· Planning: Define your community needs and expected benefits, assess proposed sites to ensure proper placement, outline a site plan and create a budget plan for design and ongoing maintenance costs.

· Design: Demonstrate knowledge of current safety standards, select appropriate elements based on site plan and identify site considerations.

· Operations: Identify liabilities, create a Risk Management plan, implement management and safety practices and identify potential programming and rental opportunities. (Prerequisite: AFO or CPO certification)

· Maintenance: Demonstrate knowledge of maintenance techniques and identify and implement appropriate repairs. (Prerequisite: AFO or CPO certification)

The program includes four online courses, each focused on key areas of the implementation and operation of splash pad facilities. To receive your Splash Pad Certificate and 1.2 CEUs, you must complete each of the four courses. Each course will be available individually, but you must be currently AFO or CPO certified to enroll for the Operations and Maintenance and Repair courses.