Geauga Park District is the winner of the 2013 Governor’s Award for Parks and Recreation.  The winning project, the East Branch of the Cuyahoga River Covered Bridge, connects communities and four Geauga County parks and also improves safety conditions for Amish commuters, and tourism in Geauga County.

“It’s tough to imagine a project which includes so many important elements,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward.  “This bridge teaches history, enhances safety, connects parks and communities, attracts tourists and gets people outdoors.  We are proud to present the award to Geauga Park District.”

In addition to a crystal trophy, Geauga Park District was presented with a proclamation from Ohio Governor John Kasich and a $500 check to the Geauga Park District Foundation.  The award winner was announced and the award presented at the OPRA Annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky.

The Governor’s Award was established in 2010 to recognize the one park and recreation program or project that has had the most significant impact on quality of life in the preceding year. 

All sixteen winners of OPRA program and project awards were considered for this statewide “best in show” award.

Officials from six statewide organizations formed the voting panel for the 2013 award.  They included: County Commissioners Association of Ohio, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Homebuilders Association, Ohio Municipal League, Ohio State Parks and Ohio Township Association.  They judged the program and project winners based on the following criteria:

·         Demonstrated impact of the program or project on the community quality of life;

·         The project or program is unique/innovative or presents a new way of doing something;

·         The program or project addresses a felt need in the community and includes clear goals which are achieved;

·         The program or project is utilized by the community and outcomes can be demonstrated 

The City of Bowling Green Pool and Waterpark and Five Rivers MetroParks Cox Arboretum MetroPark were the other projects selected by the voting panel as finalists for the top state honor.