Three projects have been selected by a panel of judges for the 2016 Governor’s Award for Parks and Recreation.  Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Park District’s River Friendly Parking Lot, Metroparks of the Toledo Area’s Strategic Land Acquisition Plan and Worthington Parks and Recreation’s Storytime in the Park were selected from among the 14 first place award winners.
 

• Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Park District’s River Friendly Parking Lot eliminated direct runoff from an existing parking area into the Little Miami River, a designated state and national scenic river. Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Park District reconfigured an existing 1.16 acre parking lot that is adjacent to the river using green parking lot stormwater management practices.

• Metroparks of the Toledo Area’s Strategic Land Acquisition Plan used a process for gathering input from community leaders, conservation planners, and regional stakeholders, developing a strategic land acquisition plan to acquire a minimum of 4,300 new acres of parkland, effectively expanding the system by more than 50%.
   

• Worthington Parks and Recreation’s Storytime in the Park provided an outlet for parents and children to enjoy the benefits of reading and literature, while experiencing nature and interacting with their peers. Breaking the stereotype of “active recreation” enabled them to reach a broader audience and bring new users to their parks.

The Governor’s Award for Parks and Recreation, presented by Ohio Parks and Recreation Association 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.

Officials from seven statewide organizations formed the voting panel for the 2016 award.  They included: Ohio Association of Broadcasters, Ohio Association of Realtors, Ohio Homebuilders Association, Ohio Manufacturers’ 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; and,

• the program or project is utilized by the community and outcomes can be demonstrated.

The award winner will be announced and the award presented at the OPRA Annual Awards Dinner on February 14, 2017 at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky.