“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
2017
Eppley enters into agreements with National Association for Interpretation and professional organization in France, South Africa, and Australia for collaborative services.
2017
Great Lakes Park Training Institute celebrates its 70th Anniversary making it the oldest continuous training program of its type in the nation.
2016
Eppley manages 10th year of Facility Manager Leaders Program offered with National Park Service on its Centennial Year
2016
Eppley launches the Playground Maintenance Technicians training program in partnership with PDRMA
2015
Eppley’s online learning system becomes ProValens Learning with 27,000 registered users
2014
World Park Academy and Certified Park Professional-International launched by Eppley in collaboration with World Urban Parks
2014
Eppley selected to provide master, strategic and targeted plans to nationally renown Boulder Parks and Recreation Department
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
2013
Eppley celebrates its 20th year
2012
Contracts for interpretive guide books with the Bureau of Land Management round out Eppley’s impact on federal public land management agencies
2010
Eppley and National Park Service receive W. Edward Demings Award for Facility Manager Leaders Program
2009
Over 10,000 learners have used Eppley’s online training website.
2008
Eppley Institute receives National Park Service Partner Award
2006
Eppley plans, and offers Facility Manager Leaders Program in conjunction with National Park Service
2005
Eppley Institute and Carhart Center for Wilderness Training, USDA, enter into partnership to offer online wilderness stewardship training.
2004
Online training system for National Park Service interpretteers launched in partnership with Eppley Institute; The Epppley Training Site
2004
Eppely Institute selected to conduct master, strategic, and targeted plans for Anchorage, AK parks and recreation system
2003
Eppley initiates National Trainer Development Program and Resource Protection suite of courses for the National Park Service
2002
National Park Service agreement with Eppley to design, provide, and evaluate the Fundamentals orientation program for new employees
2001
Jim Ridenour Retired; Steve Wolter named 2nd Director of the Eppley Institute
2001
Eppley publishes Indiana Trail Study; seminal research and analysis for trail advocates nationally
2000
Eppley and Indiana University plan, program, and support 1st three National Park Service satellite based distance education training programs
2000
National Park Service agreement with Eppley to deliver Facility Management training and develop change strategies
1999
Eppley provides community planning to Indianapolis, St. Joseph County, Wabash, and Fulton County, Indiana, and Fairfield, OH
1998
Eppley enters into 5 year cooperative agreement for National Park Service training projects
1997
Eppley Institute receives ALSA Award for Monon Trail Planning
1997
Great Lakes Park Training Institute celebrates its 50th Anniversary
1997
Eppley-National Park Service 1st workshops on distance training and standards
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