Three projects have been selected by a panel of judges for the 2014 Governors Award for Parks and Recreation. The City of Fairborn Wright Patterson Air Force Base Partnership, the Lake Metroparks Adapted Boating Program and the National Trails Parks and Recreation District Chiller were selected from among the 15 first place award winners.
· In 2013, Wright Patterson Air Force Base received notification of upcoming severe budgets cuts that would drastically affect their operation of all recreation facilities – even the military isn’t immune! That autumn began the discussion of sharing recreational resources between WPAFB and Fairborn Parks & Recreation. The goal to create sustainability and increased revenues for WPAFB facilities has led not only to the opening of the WPAFB Prairie Pool to our residents, but many new recreational opportunities in 2015.
· Lake Metroparks’ adapted boating program offered individuals with disabilities an opportunity to learn boating safety while having fun! The four-week program was led by park staff, volunteers and parents of the participants, and included safety training with kayaks, sailboats and power boats on Lake Erie and the Grand River. Concepts were introduced through a friendly and fun approach to ensure participants enjoyed learning new activities and sharing skills while developing trust and friendships with each other and the program leaders.
· The NTPRD Chiller has been in operation for a year and has provided the residents of Clark County with diverse, year-round entertainment. Patrons enjoy performances and sporting events that formerly bypassed Clark County. The arena has created jobs and acted as an economic generator by increasing revenue at area hotels, restaurants and other businesses. At the end of year one over 100,000 people visited the NTPRD Chiller.
The Governors 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 six statewide organizations formed the voting panel for the 2014 award. They included: County Commissioners Association of Ohio, Ohio Association of Realtors, 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 award winner will be announced and the award presented at the OPRA Annual Awards Dinner on February 3 at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky.