NASPD 2022 Conference

The Cove Pallisades

Welcome to Sunriver

<< Back to Main Page

Directors and Conference Attendees:

I am thrilled to invite you to Oregon for the 2022 National Association of State Parks Directors Conference to see some of the places Oregonians hold dear. You’ll be joining us during a momentous year — the Oregon State Parks centennial celebration. Throughout 2022, we are remembering our humble start 100 years ago while we look forward to the next century. We are so honored to include you in part of our yearlong birthday party!

We originally planned to host this conference in 2021, but a global pandemic changed everything. And it’s still throwing curve balls. Nonetheless, we forge ahead with plans to see you in person in Oregon this September, ever mindful that we need to be flexible and nimble. Our centennial celebration offers this perspective: in the context of a century, the pandemic is merely one challenge among many. Time has shown that the stewards of America’s state parks are pros in the face of a challenge.

This year’s conference will be at Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon, chosen for its proximity to 11 state parks that comprise campgrounds, day-use areas, and abundant natural and cultural resources. Anchored by the destination city of Bend, this high-desert region is known for its sunny skies, legendary landforms, and year-round adventures — from watersports to rock climbing to skydiving. During the conference, you will have the opportunity to float, bike, hike, and fish in places that showcase the diversity of the Oregon state park system. We regret that we can’t show you more, so we wholeheartedly invite you to explore the rest of Oregon before and after the conference.

This event is a rare chance for the leaders of America’s state parks to connect, collaborate, and find inspiration from one another. I hope you take this opportunity to join us and see what 100 years of state parks looks like in Oregon. Our team is excited to share our agency’s rich history and show how we are adapting and innovating for the next 100 years. Let’s make this year’s NASPD conference a time to collectively work to make sure America’s state parks are ready for the next generation.

Best,

Lisa Sumption
Director, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department