“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

HistoryMissionEppley TeamAffiliates

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

2017
January 9

2017

Eppley reaches milestone of completing over 450 projects for over 50 different public agencies, non-profits, and for-profit organiztions since 1993. 
January 8

2017

Eppley enters into agreements with National Association for Interpretation and professional organization in France, South Africa, and Australia for collaborative services.
January 7

2017

Great Lakes Park Training Institute celebrates its 70th Anniversary making it the oldest continuous training program of its type in the nation.
2016
January 8

2016

Eppley manages 10th year of Facility Manager Leaders Program offered with National Park Service on its Centennial Year
January 7

2016

Eppley launches the Playground Maintenance Technicians training program in partnership with PDRMA
2015
January 7

2015

Eppley’s online learning system becomes ProValens Learning with 27,000 registered users
2014
January 8

2014

World Park Academy and Certified Park Professional-International launched by Eppley in collaboration with World Urban Parks
January 7

2014

Eppley selected to provide master, strategic and targeted plans to nationally renown Boulder Parks and Recreation Department
2013
January 8

2013

Online training certificates in park planning, facility management, capital improvement planning, aquatic management, civil rights history, instructor training, and public health fundamentals for parks are launched
January 7

2013

Eppley celebrates its 20th year
2012
January 7

2012

Contracts for interpretive guide books with the Bureau of Land Management round out Eppley’s impact on federal public land management agencies
2010
January 7

2010

Eppley and National Park Service receive W. Edward Demings Award for Facility Manager Leaders Program
2009
January 7

2009

Over 10,000 learners have used Eppley’s online training website.
2008
January 7

2008

Eppley Institute receives National Park Service Partner Award
2006
January 7

2006

Eppley plans, and offers Facility Manager Leaders Program in conjunction with National Park Service
2005
January 7

2005

Eppley Institute and Carhart Center for Wilderness Training, USDA, enter into partnership to offer online wilderness stewardship training.
2004
January 8

2004

Online training system for National Park Service interpretteers launched in partnership with Eppley Institute; The Epppley Training Site
January 7

2004

Eppely Institute selected to conduct master, strategic, and targeted plans for Anchorage, AK parks and recreation system
2003
January 7

2003

Eppley initiates National Trainer Development Program and Resource Protection suite of courses for the National Park Service
2002
January 7

2002

National Park Service agreement with Eppley to design, provide, and evaluate the Fundamentals orientation program for new employees
2001
January 7

2001

Eppley publishes Indiana Trail Study; seminal research and analysis for trail advocates nationally
January 7

2001

Jim Ridenour Retired; Steve Wolter named 2nd Director of the Eppley Institute
2000
January 9

2000

Eppley and Indiana University plan, program, and support 1st three National Park Service satellite based distance education training programs
January 7

2000

National Park Service agreement with Eppley to deliver Facility Management training and develop change strategies
1999
January 7

1999

Eppley provides community planning to Indianapolis, St. Joseph County, Wabash, and Fulton County, Indiana, and Fairfield, OH
1998
January 7

1998

Eppley enters into 5 year cooperative agreement for National Park Service training projects
1997
January 8

1997

Eppley Institute receives ALSA Award for Monon Trail Planning
January 7

1997

Great Lakes Park Training Institute celebrates its 50th Anniversary
January 6

1997

Eppley-National Park Service 1st workshops on distance training and standards

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