Description

12th Annual Public Health, Parks & Recreation (PHPR) Summit: 

Braided Futures: Crafting Community Amid Chaos

Friday, April 17, 2026, 8:00am - 4:00pm 

City Park Recreation Center in Westminster, CO

Amid change and uncertainty, our greatest strength lies in connection. Braided Futures invites leaders and professionals from public health, parks and recreation, education, libraries, health non-profits and the built environment to reimagine what’s possible when we work together.

Like individual strands woven into something stronger, our collective efforts can shape a future defined by health, belonging, and shared purpose. Through inspiring conversations, collaborative learning, and stories of innovation, we’ll explore how partnership, place, and the equitable exchange of power can help communities thrive. This is a moment to rekindle hope, rebuild trust, and renew our commitment to one another — because the future we want is a future we build together.

Who Should Attend? 

This multi-sector event is designed for professionals, practitioners and community leaders who believe in the transformative power of working together to chart the future with our communities for health, connection, and engagement. We encourage folks from public health, built environment, parks, recreation, healthcare, community organizations, education, libraries, community advocates, health related non-profits and commercial entities invested in their communities to attend.

Registration is $30/person now through April 2nd and then it increases to $40/person; $10 for students. if you are a student, please reach out to Jo Burns to receive the discount code. 

Registrations includes a full day of multi-sector education, networking, lunch, and continuing education units. The event will wrap-up with an optional happy hour at a location near the recreation center to continued networking!

EVENT AGENDA 

8:00am ~ Check-in is OPEN!  Welcome Everyone. Come in and explore, visit a sponsor table, find a new colleague 

8:30am – 9:15am ~ Welcome –- Why do we need Braided Futures? Let’s talk about Chaos, Community and Bringing Us Together. Jo Burns, PHPR Collaborative 

9:15am – 9:45am ~ Network Mapping 101 – Elizabeth “Elle” Marzec

9:50 am – 10:35 am ~ Returning Learning to the Community: One Lab School’s Approach – Kyle Gamba, La Luz Education and La Luz Students 

10:40am – 10:55am ~ Healthy Snack Break – Grab some Coffee/Tea – Get Moving, Connect with Colleagues, Visit Sponsors 

11:00am – 11:30am ~  Supporting the Smiling Faces of Parks & Open Space: A Partnership between Jeffco Open Space and CU Public Health School – Virginia Visconti, Sophie Brenna, Sophie Semenjuk, and Annie Goyanes

11:35am – 11:50am ~ Movement Break 

11:50 am - 12:20pm ~ Continuum of Compassion: Balancing Care, Compliance and Community – Haley Stephenson and Lauren O’Neill

12:20pm – 1:20pm ~  Lunch + Networking, Connection Outside

1:25pm – 1:55pm ~ Supporting Youth and educators in navigating eco-distress, building solidarity and cultivating hope – Julia Senecal, Sarah Bexell and Graduate Students

2:00pm – 2:30pm ~  Panel discussion across sectors – Crafting Community Amid Chaos (Panel Members TBD)

2:35pm – 2:50pm ~ Qigong Break - Pos Ryant, Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization (AOPYO)

2:50pm – 3:20pm ~ Building Capacity: Moving Ideas Forward When Resources are Scarce – Sarah Konradi 

3:20pm  - 3:40pm ~ Arlosoul Highlights and Reflection on the Day – Chris Chopyak, Pos Ryant + the Artists 

3:40pm – 3:55pm ~ Final  Braiding Future Activities – Jo Burns

3:55pm - 4:00pm ~ Closing Remarks- Evaluation and Thank you! - Colorado PHPR Collaborative Crew – Russ Carson

4:00pm to 6:00ish ~ Healthy Happy Hour  - BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse –  10446 Town Center Drive, Westminster, CO 80021 (a mere 1.3 miles from the Rec Center)

PHPR Website: https://www.co-phprcollab.org/2026-summit

Would you or your organization like to be a sponsor?! Learn more here and reach out to Jo Burns.

Platinum Sponsor

Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

Bronze Sponsor

Altitude Recreation