| ORPS was founded in 1956 and affiliated with the National Recreation & Park Association as a professional organization for any agency or persons involved in providing recreation and parks services. Serving since 1956, ORPS membership is representative of statewide communities, higher education, regional and commercial members from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Florida, Tennessee, Iowa, North Dakota and Canada. Committed to furthering the professional development of its membership, ORPS promotes networking, education, communication and opportunities for service among professionals in the field. ORPS is a non-profit society interested in delivering quality leisure services to every community in Oklahoma.
ORPS produces 6 publications a year, electronically and some hard copy, and holds an annual training conference and trade show. Other ORPS activities include co-sponsorship of the golf tournament for the Oklahoma Municipal League as well as our own President's Golf Tournament, membership on the Oklahoma Fit Kids Coalition and providing bond prizes for the winners of the Playground Safety Week poster contest. This contest is co-sponsored by ORPS, Oklahoma Dept. of Labor and Oklahoma Dept. of Education.
Membership levels
Certified Professional - meeting all state and national certification requirements.
Agency - any public or private provider of recreational or park services including a school or university providing curriculum of parks, recreation, leisure services or related field.
Professional w/agency - any employee of an agency member.
Professional - any individual whose primary occupation is devoted to administrative, supervisory or specialist category in an accepted agency.
Student - any full time undergraduate or graduate enrolled in a related field of curriculum at an accredited college or university.
Friend - any interested individual or part-time employee.
Retired - at least age 55 and retired from the profession.
Director w/board - includes professional level membership for director and the citizen-board commission.
The Benefits are Endless - Education, Directory, Legislative Advocacy, Scholarships, interest Sections, Certification, United Voice for employment issues, quality services, facilities and programs | 
