Murfreesboro Parks Recipient of Numerous TRPA Awards

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In November, Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department staff and volunteers received a total of 30 awards at the 2016 Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association (TRPA) Conference held in Memphis, TN.

TRPA is a non-profit professional society of approximately 1200+ individual and agency members organized in 1952 as the leader in supporting highly effective professionals to achieve healthy, livable communities. TRPA exists to strengthen and unite those committed to the benefits of parks and recreation.
Awards:
Volunteer Service Award
This award recognizes an individual(s) or organization(s) that has made a significant contribution(s) to the field of parks, recreation, and leisure services by performing volunteer services. This year, we are proud to honor nine recipients from Murfreesboro:

Margaret Davis- for her commitment to Bradley Academy and Museum.
Andy Herzer- for his commitment to the youth at Patterson Park Community Center.
Bryan Kleparek – for his commitment to Murfreesboro Soccer Club.
Chris Lilly – for his commitment to Murfreesboro Youth Football.
Cleveland Humphrey – for his commitment to Murfreesboro Youth Football and the Murfreesboro Basketball League.
Deborah Roberts- for her commitment to the Murfreesboro Half Marathon.
Dr. Barbara and Leroy Hodges- for their commitment to the youth and seniors at Patterson Park Community Center.
Dr. Leigh Anne Clark- for her commitment to Murfreesboro Youth Soccer.
Florence Smith – for her commitment to Patterson Park Community Center.
Gabby Colarusso- for her commitment to the Wilderness Station programs.
Jerry Brookside – for his commitment to the Wilderness Station programs.
Katie Wilson – for her commitment to Bradley Academy and Museum.
Mary Patterson-Watkins – for her commitment to Patterson Park Community Center.
Robby Owens – for his commitment to the Murfreesboro Ultimate League.
Sports*Com Running Group – for their commitment to the City of Murfreesboro Community.
Tina and Vincenta Trejo – for their commitment to the Latino American Soccer Club.
Lifetime Member Award
Lifetime Member Award honors and recognizes individuals who have retired and during their tenure made numerous and/or significant long-term contributions within the parks and recreation profession. This year the department submitted for consideration Joe Maloney, Crew Leader for Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation, and he was awarded Lifetime Status.

Special Events, Arts and Marketing Award
The main focus of this award is to recognize innovation and creativity in Special Events, Arts and Marketing and inspire others to develop similar programs in their own area. This year the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department was awarded for the best arts program– Rosanna Ohlsson-Salmon.

In the same category for Special Events, Arts, and Marketing, Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department was awarded for the best marketing campaign, recognizing Melinda Tate.

The Award for Excellence
This award is presented to an individual, agency or organization (public or private) that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of Resource Management. For her efforts within Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department the award was given to– Angela Jackson.

The Longfellow Aquatics Award
This award is given each year to a person, or persons, responsible for outstanding programming or accomplishments in Aquatics. This year’s award recipient is Kyle Goss, Aquatics Coordinator.

The Child/Youth Wellness Award
This award focuses on building life-long wellness skills such as increased physical activity, healthy eating, and positive health habits through programs and activities. This year’s award recipient is Allison Davidson, Wellness Coordinator.

The Community Wellness Award
This award focuses on promoting health and wellness for citizens of the community through such avenues as community outreach, community special events, programs, and individual service opportunities. This year’s award recipient is Nate Williams, Recreation Superintendent.

Robert H Horsley Award
Robert H Horsley Award is given annually by the Municipal/County Section to recognize community center personnel, who have planned, conducted or was responsible for the Most Outstanding Recreation Program during the year. This year’s award recipient is Russell Smith, Superintendent, Patterson Park Community Center.

Distinguished Young Professional
This award recognizes a young professional that exemplifies the management skills in planning a wide variety of parks and recreation opportunities and activities; whose efforts and commitment to excellence in parks and recreation during the course of the past awards period has set an example that has raised the standards of parks and recreation; and who through leadership, inspiration and incentive has made noteworthy contributions to their local service area and for the association. This year’s recipient is Pam Williams, Cultural Arts Coordinator.

Four Star Award for Conservation/Outdoor Recreation Program Award
The Conservation/Outdoor Recreation Program Award will be awarded to the best conservation or outdoor recreation program that includes activities with a focus on resource management, environmental education, outdoor adventure, etc. This Year’s recipient is Rachel Singer for World Turtle Day.

Four Star Award for Renovated Facility
The Four Star Award for Renovated Facility is awarded to a park or facility that has been renovated within the last twelve (12) months. It may be a building, sports complex, trail, playground, splash pad, or other recreational facility. It may be indoors or outdoors, or a combination of both. The renovation at Bradley Academy and Museum is this year’s recipient.

Four Star Award for Individual Service is one of the highest awards given in the field of Parks and Recreation for excellence. The Four Star Award for Individual Services recognizes a person’s participation on a board, commission, committee or council that influences, benefits and strengthens recreation in the community. Receiving the award for his role on the City of Murfreesboro Council is Ron Washington.

Four Star Award – Benefactor
The Four Star Benefactor Award recognizes an individual(s), organization, or company that has donated a significant gift to a parks and recreation department/agency for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in their community. The nominee’s gift to the department/agency must have been a minimum value of $5,000 and the gift must be a financial contribution, a tangible item (such as property, structure, or equipment), a product, or an in-kind service. Receiving the award for their contribution is David Price and Project 14.

President’s Cup
Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department received recognition as the department in the population category of 100,000 and over that most overall reflects the professional standards set by the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association for contributions made to both the State and to the National Association for Recreation and Parks- Angela Jackson.