MRPA Annual Association Awards
The deadline for the following awards is the close of business on February 8, 2024. These awards will be given out at the 2024 MRPA Annual Conference.
Citation Award
- The individual must have demonstrated significant and exemplary service to the field of parks and recreation.
- Must have contributed a minimum of five years to the leisure services profession within the state.
- Special consideration will be given to those serving at a national and/or regional level.
- Current President, Awards Chair & MRPA staff are not eligible to receive this award.
- Need not be a member of MRPA.
- Individuals may be recognized only once for this award.
Distinguished Fellow Recognition, honoring John P. "Jack" Hewitt
- Full-time career professional in parks/recreation & leisure services for a minimum of 20 years.
- Held elected office in MRPA or one of its approved branches and/or served as a standing committee chair for a cumulative total of at least five years.
- Must be a current professional MRPA member during the period of recognition being cited.
- The individual may be recognized only once for this award.
- This award honors John P. "Jack" Hewitt.
Lifetime Volunteer Award, honoring Connie Romanello
- The recipient must have demonstrated significant & exemplary public service as a volunteer in the area of parks, recreation, resource conservation, or leisure services for a minimum of 20 years at the local, state, and/or national level.
- At least 15 years of service must be performed within the state.
- The recipient must have been a member of MRPA for at least 10 years.
- Special consideration will be given to service at the national and/or regional levels.
- Only one award will be presented annually.
- Individuals may be recognized only once for this award.
- This award honors Connie Romanello.
Retired Life
- Retired professional (no longer in a full-time career position) who was active in the parks/recreation & leisure services field for a minimum of 20 years.
- MRPA member for a minimum of 15 years, 10 of which involve active participation, such as participation in committees, offices (MRPA or Branch), awards received, and/or encourage staff under their direction to actively participate in MRPA.
Agency Volunteer Award
- An individual who has demonstrated outstanding service to a park and/or recreation agency within the state, such as a recreation council, board member, foundation member, or office volunteer.
- Only service during the past two years will be considered.
- Need not be a member of MRPA
Outstanding Member Award
- Recognizes an individual who has shown outstanding dedication to the parks and recreation profession through a special project or effort.
- Must be an active member of MRPA, who has contributed significantly to the goals and objectives of MRPA during the current year.
- The recipient must have made outstanding contributions to enrich the lives of individuals in neighborhoods, communities, or the state.
- Must display exemplary service to MRPA
MRPA Branch Awards
The deadline for the following awards is the close of business on February 8, 2024. These awards will be given out at the 2024 MRPA Annual Conference.
Recreation & Leisure Services (RALS)
Outstanding Recreation Professional
- Professional who has given outstanding service to the field of recreation.
- Could have been responsible for, but not limited to, contributions of programs, time, creative ideas, professional growth, promotion of volunteer groups, help with favorable legislation, management of an economically sound recreation facility, or other significant events that promote the general welfare of community recreation.
- Must be a RALS Branch member
Member of the Year
- An individual who has provided outstanding service to the recreation and leisure services profession and MRPA through involvement in the RALS Branch and other organizations.
Innovative Program Award
- Presented to an individual or organization for an innovative project or activity that promotes the recreation and leisure services profession.
- Helps to meet the leisure needs of their community.
Committee Work of the Year
- Committee member or entire committee who has displayed outstanding leadership and involvement in any RALS Branch standing or special committee.
- Must be a RALS Branch member(s).
Donald Lewis Long, Sr. Student Award
- The student who has achieved academic excellence.
- The student has significantly promoted recreation and leisure services at his/her college or community.
- A letter of support from the recreation services curriculum is necessary for this award.
Park & Resource Conservation Branch (PARC)
Planning & Design with Environmental Protection in Mind
- Agency which has used staff to design and/or develop park land which demonstrates maximum utilization of a facility with minimum impact to the existing environment unique feature will be given special consideration.
Creative Programming Award
- Agency or individual who develops a creative program to include topics of interpretation, recreation, and/or conservation and/or vandalism reduction efforts, Volunteer work, etc…
Creative Maintenance Category
- Implemented maintenance idea that demonstrates labor/cost saving.
- Alternatively, a design that uniquely enhances a facility, building, or project.
 Student Award
- Student who made a contribution to the PARC Branch or to the field of park resource and conservation in the state.
- Contributions could include: maintenance, landscaping, conservation, or interpretive projects or programs.
Service Award
- Person or group for outstanding service to the field of parks and resource conservation Short-term major projects and/or long time service in the field will be considered (i.e., time saving ideas, helping with favorable legislation, a major construction project, or a significant community event)
Therapeutic Recreation Branch (TR)
Innovative Program Award
- Agency or special program in recognition of an outstanding event/program exemplifying Creativity/innovative, resource usage, therapeutic value, and participant benefit.
- All events must have occurred within the past year and have been completed before entry or be an ongoing project.
Committee Work of the Year
- Committee member or entire committee who has displayed outstanding leadership and involvement in any TR Branch standing or special committee.
- Must be TR Branch member(s).
Volunteer Award
- Volunteer or volunteer group which has contributed outstanding service to the field of therapeutic recreation, at the agency or departmental or direct service level in the state within the past year.
Outstanding Recognition Award
- Demonstrated significant, long range contributions and exemplary service for a minimum of three years to the TR Branch as well as the therapeutic recreation profession.
- Individual may be recognized only once for this award.
- Must be a TR Branch member.
Practitioner Award
- Has significantly contributed to the improvement and enhancement of the therapeutic recreation profession.
- Must have shown exceptional practical applications of the principals and concept of therapeutic recreation.
- Must be a TR Branch member.
Outstanding Student Award
- Student who has achieved academic excellence.
- Has significantly promoted the ideals and philosophies of therapeutic recreation within the state, his/her college, and/or community.
- Letter of support from a therapeutic recreation curriculum is necessary for this award.
Please Note:
Please be sure to upload all supporting documents required for each award!
Award Nominations will be judged on the following:
- Accessibility
- Aesthetics
- Uniqueness of Design
- Vandal resistance
- Appropriate relationship to the setting
- Economy of Design
- Quality of Design
- Maintenance consideration
- Popularity