2027 Playground Safety Summit

2027 Playground Safety Summit

Overview

Join industry leaders, inspectors, landscape architects, and park professionals for three focused days of expert-led education, training, and networking.

Whether you are managing existing play areas, designing new outdoor spaces, or navigating safety standards, this summit provides actionable insights to help you build safer, more dynamic, and inclusive environments for your community.

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.

Experience Our Venue: Delta Hotels Virginia Beach Waterfront

We are thrilled to bring the 2027 Summit to an extraordinary coastal venue! Situated directly on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, the Delta Hotels Virginia Beach Waterfront offers a true resort-style experience for our attendees.

During your stay, you can look forward to:

• All-Suite Comfort: Spread out in spacious, beautifully appointed suites featuring signature bedding and panoramic bay views.

• Private Beach Access: Unwind on the hotel private beach after a day of learning, or enjoy coastal cuisine and fresh local seafood with sweeping water views at the property restaurant.

• World-Class Amenities: Take advantage of complimentary Wi-Fi, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a refreshing outdoor pool.

• Nearby Exploration: Located just minutes from outdoor recreation at First Landing State Park, it is the perfect backdrop to blend professional development with a relaxing coastal getaway.

Event Details

• Dates: Monday, February 22 - Thursday, February 25, 2027

• Location: Delta Hotels Virginia Beach Waterfront, 2800 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Registration & Pricing

Secure your spot for the 2027 Summit!

• VRPS Member Rate: $650

• Non-Member Rate: $725

Registration Fee Includes:

• Breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and an evening happy hour on Tuesday and Wednesday (the first two full days of class).

• Breakfast and lunch on Thursday (the final half day).

Meet Our Speakers!

We are thrilled to bring together three renowned leaders in play design, maintenance, and safety certification:

• 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 brings 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.

Lodging & Group Rates

Take advantage of our exclusive group rate to stay right on site at this all-suite waterfront retreat!

• Group Rate: $119.00 per night (Bayview Suites, plus applicable taxes and fees)

• Cut-Off Date: Monday, February 1, 2027

• Included Perks for Attendees:

  • Complimentary self-parking for all group attendees

  • Complimentary high-speed wireless internet in guest rooms and meeting spaces

Book Your Bayview Suite at the Group Rate

Registration Information

Secure your spot today to lock in your training and lodging for 2027!

If you have any questions about registration or need special accommodations, please feel free to reach out to our team!