Playground Maintenance & Safety Academy

Description

Overview

Experience two and a half days of expert-led education, practical training, and professional networking centered on playground safety, design, maintenance, and best practices. Whether you oversee existing playgrounds, plan and design new outdoor spaces, or work to meet evolving safety standards, this summit will provide practical tools and valuable insights to help you create safer, more engaging, and inclusive spaces for the communities you serve.

The summit provides the CEUs needed to fulfill the continuing education requirements for CPSI certification renewal.

Event Details

Dates: Wednesday, March 17 – Friday, March 19, 2027

Location: Kinder Farm Park, 1001 Kinder Farm Park Rd, Millersville, MD 21108

Pricing

MRPA Member Rate: $650

Non-Member Rate: $725

Registration Fee Includes:

Wednesday & Thursday: Breakfast, lunch, snacks

Friday: Breakfast, snacks

Course Content & Learning Outcomes

This intensive program goes beyond standard training to deliver a comprehensive educational experience through expert-led instruction and collaborative problem solving.

Key topics and curriculum themes include:

• CPSI 2.0 Recertification: Fulfills CPSI 2.0 recertification requirements for current certified inspectors looking to maintain their credential.
• History of Play: Explores the evolution of play environment design and foundational concepts.
• Hazard Identification & Safety Analysis: Deep dives into comprehensive hazard identification and site safety evaluations.
• Surfacing Performance: Covers surface impact attenuation, safety standards, and testing performance.
• Inclusive Design & ADA Compliance: Reviews ADA accessibility guidelines and innovative strategies for inclusive play space design.
• Strategic Management & Risk Prevention: Highlights future-focused risk management tools, practical safety strategies, and strategic frameworks such as the PEACE Plan.

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Speakers

We are excited to feature three accomplished leaders in playground design, maintenance, and safety certification—including one expert from right here in Maryland.

Meghan Talarowski, PLA, ASLA, CPSI: Executive Director, Studio Ludo

Meghan is a licensed landscape architect, certified playground safety inspector, and NRPA CPSI training instructor. Her research focuses on how play environment design influences physical health and social behavior, drawing from data collected across 60,000+ people in over 100 play spaces worldwide. She has designed more than 40 destination play spaces and advised on safety and risk for over 50 installations globally.

Antonio (Tony) Malkusak, PLA, CPSI: Landscape Architect & President, Abundant Playscapes

With over 40 years of experience, Tony is a national expert on playground safety, accessibility, and design. He has been a CPSI instructor since 2000 and a PMT trainer since 2018. His firm, Abundant Playscapes, focuses on creating safe, inclusive outdoor spaces that connect families and communities through play.

Jeff Barber: Founder of Playground Specialists Inc. & Co-Founder/Innovation Leader at Independence Design Group

Jeff has more than 30 years of experience in recreation construction and playground manufacturing. A CPSI instructor for over a decade, he helped create and launch the NRPA Playground Maintenance Course. Jeff holds multiple patents for play innovations and has overseen the design and installation of more than 20,000 projects across the Mid-Atlantic region.