Ohio Parks and Recreation Association is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 outstanding leadership awards.  Parks and recreation professionals, citizens and legislators were nominated by parks and recreation professionals from around the state for these awards.

“These individuals really represent some of the best in parks and recreation, past, present and future,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward.  “Each of these winners understands the vital role that parks and recreation plays in establishing and maintaining community and building quality of life.”

The 2015 inductee into the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Hall of Fame is Joseph Sommer.  A former director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Sommer spent 20 years at ODNR and as director was instrumental in adding more than 1,600 acres to state nature preserves. In his native Stark County, Sommer worked to establish the Stark County Park District in the 1960’s and served as one of its first commissioners. Still active today, Sommer has served on the Board of the Friends of Stark Parks and has been a driving force for construction of the park districts new Wildlife Conservation Center.

The 2015 OPRA Professional of the Year is Stephen Madewell, Director of the Metroparks of the Toledo Area. A long-time leader in natural resource conservation, Madewell has served as a leader of OPRA advocacy efforts both in Columbus and Washington. This year, he has been a driving force in OPRA efforts to protect sensitive parklands from pipeline construction in Northern Ohio.  In Toledo, Madewell has led the development of a strategic plan for the park district, which will result in every home in Lucas County being within five miles of a metro park.

Keith Shy of Summit Metro Parks is the 2015 Harvey Woods Lifetime Achievement Award winner.  Shy retired last May following a 44 year career in public service.  Beginning as an assistant park manager at Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks in 1971, Shy joined Summit Metro Parks in 1982 and served as director-secretary from 1998 until his retirement. During his time as director, Summit doubled in acreage, completed two strategic plans to ensure smart, planned growth and worked diligently to keep the Metro Parks “clean, green and safe” for future generations.

The Outstanding Citizen Award winners are Tony Klepacz and Andrea White of the City of Kettering.  Klepaz and White began a Summer Food Program in a low-income, subsidized apartment complex in Kettering which has served more than 23,000 lunches over the past seven years. They secured a contingent of hundreds of volunteers who operate the program and prepare and serve 80 to 90 meals each weekday throughout the summer. The program has been expanded to include free bike helmets, shoes and other activities.

The 2015 winners of the Outstanding Youth Leadership Award are brothers Owen and Gavin Gonzalez of the Centerville-Washington Park District. Owen and Gavin grew up in the park district programs and began to volunteer as soon as they were able. They have volunteered for numerous programs and special events including Mini Movers, the Summer Recreation Program and Winter Woods Day Camp, providing inspiration and role models for younger children.

The 2015 OPRA Legislator of the Year is State Senator Gayle Manning of Lorain County.  As chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Manning led the effort to restore nearly $4.5 million in funding to the park district road improvement program.  She also offered a budget amendment which gives Ohio park districts flexibility in receiving building permits. Senator Manning is well respected on both sides of the political aisle and is a strong supporter of the Lorain County Metro Parks in her home district.

These awards will be presented at the annual OPRA Awards Dinner on February 2 at the Kalahari Convention Center.