Award areas include park design, health and wellness, conservation and social equity
Ashburn, Va. (Jan. 22, 2018) — The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is proud to announce the launch of its new NRPA Innovation Awards. These awards recognize park and recreation agencies nationwide that have improved and empowered their communities through innovative practices in park design, health and wellness, conservation and social equity. Applications for the awards will be accepted Jan. 22 – March 23, 2018.
“Many park agencies across the country are taking an innovative approach to tackling some of our country’s biggest challenges,” said Barbara Tulipane, NRPA president and CEO. “These awards present an opportunity to recognize our industry’s most innovative agencies and inspire others.”
The NRPA Innovation Awards include:
Innovation in Health Award
This award recognizes a park and recreation agency leading an innovative project that fosters a culture of health in their community.
Innovation in Conservation Award
This award recognizes a park and recreation agency leading an innovative project that creates localized solutions for addressing global or regional environmental challenges.
Innovation in Social Equity Award
This award recognizes a park and recreation agency leading an innovative project that improves access to the benefits of local parks and recreation for everyone in the community, no matter the color of their skin, age, income level or ability.
Innovation in Park Design Award
This award recognizes a park and recreation agency that manages a unique park or facility that embraces innovative technology, strategies or programs to improve their community.
The winners of these awards, which will be announced in June, will face-off in a public vote for the Best in Innovation Award, and recognized at the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Sept. 25-27, 2018.
NRPA is also accepting applications for its Spotlight Awards — including the Robert M. Artz Advocate Award, the Robert W. Crawford Young Professional Award, the National Distinguished Professional Award and the Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt Award for Excellence in Recreation and Park Research. Applications for scholarships and fellowships are being accepted, as well.
To apply for the NRPA Innovation Awards, click here.
To apply for the Spotlight Awards, click here.
To apply for a scholarship or fellowship, click here.
To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.
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About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.