About Us
The Florida Recreation and Park Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, preservation, and advocacy of the Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services profession. Originally organized in 1942 and incorporated in 1983, the Association is directed by a volunteer Board of Directors, and an Executive in Tallahassee. A complete history of the Association demonstrates the long term progression and sustainability of the Association.
Members are professionals working for federal, state and local parks, recreation and leisure service agencies; local recreation and park advisory board members serving in local communities; faculty and students at colleges and universities; therapeutic recreation specialists and activity coordinators working in recreation settings; and suppliers of recreation and park products and services.
By providing education, professional certification, networking, legislative representation, and leadership opportunities to Parks and Recreation professionals, FRPA has become a leading association recognized by Florida Trend Magazine as a Top-Ranked Association.
Our Why
To inspire the heart of the professional so that we empower leaders to reach higher and achieve more for our communities.
Our Vision is an empowered, engaged, and diverse network of members, advocates, and partners equipped to advance parks and recreation.
Our Values include
Equity Competence Leadership
Innovation Performance Excellence Stewardship
2528 Barrington Circle, Suite #1
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Office Hours 8:15 am - 5:15 pm, Monday - Friday
Phone: 850-878-3221
FRPA
Eleanor Warmack, CPRP, CAE
Chief Executive Officer
Eleanor has served FRPA since 1987, and as its Chief Executive Officer since 1990. During her tenure, she has facilitated tremendous growth in membership, a greater commitment to certification and agency accreditation, the creation and implementation of the first ever marketing plan for the association, the development of the Parks and Recreation Impact Calculator to allow agencies to measure the impact of their services, several reorganizations of the Association's Board and infrastructure, successfully pursued aggressive legislation, and has been recognized among her association executive peers as a leader in her field. She is the 1999 recipient of the Executive of the Year Award, presented to her in October, 1999 by the Tallahassee Society of Association Executives. She was awarded the Association Executive of the Year in 2010 by the Florida Society of Association Executives. She also chaired the Board of Regents for the US Chamber of Commerce's Institutes for Organization Management in 2000-2001. She was named to the Tallahassee State College's Alumni Hall of Fame. She served as Chair of the National Recreation and Park Association's National Certification Board. Warmack served on the Boards of Directors, and as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Tallahassee Society of Association Executives, and the Florida Society of Association Executives.
Charla Lucas, CPRP
Chief Operating Officer
Charla Lucas is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Florida Recreation and Park Association, where she’s dedicated to empowering parks and recreation professionals across Florida. Charla has served the association since 2015. Throughout her career, she has had a passion for community-building, having managed special events and programming with the City of Largo for over a decade before serving the City of Tallahassee through the management of Cascades Park. Charla loves working alongside professionals, offering education, advocacy, and support to help them create vibrant, thriving spaces for their communities. An outdoor enthusiast herself, whether she’s hiking a trail or paddleboarding on the water, she’s always inspired by the people who make Florida’s parks, public spaces, and recreation programs so special.
Blaire Bennett
Education and Events Coordinator
As a second-generation Floridian, Blaire was fortunate to grow up experiencing many of the state’s parks and natural beauty, which shaped her connection to the outdoors. Her father, an avid outdoorsman, introduced her to camping, hiking, kayaking, and exploring Florida’s incredible landscapes. This early exposure sparked a lifelong passion for the outdoors that continues to drive a love for nature today.
With over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Blaire has built a strong foundation in event planning and management. While she began on the venue side of events, her focus in recent years has shifted toward education and professional development programming, and she looks forward to bringing this experience to FRPA. Outside of work, Blaire enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, exploring new places, attending concerts, and connecting with others.