2026 Summit

2026 PHPR Summit

Braided Futures:

Crafting Community Amid Chaos

Friday, April 17, 2026

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.

View Full Agenda with Descriptions Here

View Speaker Bios and Contacts Here

Opening Session

Braiding our Futures, Crafting Community, Pippi + Brene' Brown by Jo Burns

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Network Mapping

Who's in your network and how are they connected? By Elle Marzac

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La Luz Education

Returning Learning to the Community: One Lab School's Approach by Kyle Gamba and La Luz Learners

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Partnership Matters

Supporting the Smiling Faces of Parks & Open Space: A partnership between JCOS and CU Public Health by Virginia Visconti, Sophie Brennan, Sophie Semenjuk and Annie Goyanes

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Supporting Homeless

Continuum of Compassion: Balancing Care, Compliance and Community By Haley Stephenson and Lauren O'Neill

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Cultivating Hope

Supporting Youth and Educators in Navigating Eco-distress, Building Solidarity and Cultivating Hope by Julia Senecal, Sarah Bexell, and Anna Allegretti

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