Christine "Chris" Dropinski is Senior Principal and Managing Member of GreenPlay, LLC, a parks, recreation, open space and trails management consulting firm where she is responsible for the management and operations of the firm as well as directing and performing project work. Chris graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration/ Education, in 1977 from the State University of New York at Cortland where she was a member of Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Society in Education. Over the years, she claims she also received a "masters in motherhood," having raised three boys with her husband Mike. She began her professional career at the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District in Littleton, CO as Recreation Leader and Program Supervisor before moving to the Foothills Recreation and Park District in Lakewood, CO, in 1981, where she held progressively responsible positions from Recreation Center Supervisor to Assistant Director in charge of the Recreation Department and the new Community Wellness Program, developed under her leadership. In 1990 she moved to Boulder, CO as the Director of Parks and Recreation, a position she held until 2001 when she felt a desire to use her experience to help parks and recreation agencies across the country through the management consulting business.
Chris is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional, a member of the National Recreation and Park Association and a member of the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association. Supporting a belief in giving back to the profession, Chris is a regular presenter at state and national conferences and schools including the Rocky Mountain Revenue Resources Management School, and has authored several articles. Her efforts have been recognized as recipient of the NRPA Midwest Region Fellow Award, Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) Fellow Award, CPRA Outstanding Leadership Nominee, CPRA President’s Award, and Danford Case Grant to attend the Executive Development Program.
Chris has served on the Board of Regents and as Chair of the Rocky Mountain Revenue Resources Management School (2003-2007); as committee member and mentor for the CPRA Director's Section Mentoring Program; as volunteer facilitator and current Board Member of the PLAY Boulder Parks and Recreation Foundation; and through her church in the Marriage Preparation and Music Ministries. Other contributions over the years include: CPRA Director's Section Chair (1999-2000); NRPA Midwest Region Awards Committee Member (1993); Task Force to Revise Physical Activity Manual, National Centers for Disease Control (1993); NRPA American Park and Recreation Society Board of Directors, including Budget, Nominations and Publications Committees (1991-1994); NRPA National Fitness and Wellness Coalition, Chair (1990-1991); Colorado Parks and Recreation Foundation, CPRA Liaison (1991); Boulder Parks and Recreation Foundation, Board Member (1990-2001); Colorado Parks and Recreation Association President (1989-1990); NRPA Midwest Regional Council Board Member (1989-1990); and CPRA Recreation Facilities Design and Management School, Co-Chair (1988); among others. [updated 12/10]