“I have worked with the Eppley Institute over the past 15 years on a variety of projects in various roles from lead consultant to park and recreation director and have been impressed with their broad expertise, passion and leadership for advancing parks, recreation and public lands agencies and professionals”
Jeff Dillon, former principal landscape architect with LDN and P&R Director in Anchorage, AK and Boulder, CO
History
The Eppley Institute was founded in 1993 by Indiana University. Jim Ridenour, just leaving his position as National Park Service Director, and former director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, was our first director.
The Institute was named in honor of Dr. Garrett G. Eppley, coincidently Jim Ridenour’s uncle, and a pioneer in park and recreation education; a former chair, faculty member, interpreter, trainer and National Park Service recreation planner. The Eppley Institute traces its mission, approach, and goals to Garrett Eppley’s belief that a university should serve communities and lead the development of professionals who in turn serve the public.
Mission
The Eppley Institute prides itself on its mission, vision, values, and goals. The mission of the Institute is to partner with recreation, park, and public land organizations in order to enhance access, choice, and quality of natural, cultural, and recreational experiences for all people. In accomplishing, the Institute advances knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the increasingly complex and interconnected nature of parks, health, recreation, public lands and protected areas.
Our goals are to:
- Advance knowledge by seeking emergent trends and concepts for understanding and application
- Actively enhance Eppley Institute resources and capacity
- Expand and diversify the ways in which we share our knowledge
- Expand and diversify our partnerships
- Create awareness and demand for our intellectual property
We, at the Eppley Institute, are dedicated to meeting the needs of park, recreation, public health, and public land organizations. Our strategic foundation enables us to successfully provide high quality, practical services that meet each partner’s individual needs.
Eppley Team
The chief asset of the Eppley Institute is its knowledgeable and dedicated staff. The Eppley Institute prides itself on the professional diversity of its staff, each with unique skills and experiences that contribute to our partners’ needs. The Eppley staff is made up of people from all disciplines as well as the park, recreation and public lands management profession. Meet the team.
Affialiates
The National Advisory Board members are experts in their respective fields. Utilizing their knowledge, insight, and experience they provide Eppley Institute with respected information to provide guidance and feedback regarding the Institute’s future. Meet the board.
Eppley Timeline
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Support the Eppley Institute as it strives to “enhance access, choice, and quality of natural, cultural, and recreational experiences for all people” by making a financial contribution.