Matt Slack, Valpo Parks facilities and maintenance director, recently earned his Certified Playground Safety Inspector certification.

Slack is the second certified professional on the Valpo Parks team. Chris Michalak also holds the certification.

The Certified Playground Safety Inspector certification program is offered by the National Recreation and Park Association. The program provides training on aspects of playground safety, such as hazard identification, equipment specifications, surfacing requirements and risk management,

“The safety of our park patrons, especially our children, is always our top priority,” said Kevin Nuppnau, Valpo Parks director, in a press release. “Matt's achievement, alongside Chris's existing expertise, ensures that our facilities are continually inspected, maintained and designed with the utmost attention to safety, providing peace of mind for families enjoying Valpo Parks.”

The certification requires an understanding of national playground safety standards.

“Routine inspections are essential to maintain the high quality of our playgrounds,” Slack said. “The training we’ve received equips us to conduct thorough inspections, identifying potential issues, hazards and safety concerns. This ensures that our playgrounds remain safe and enjoyable for our community to use.”