The National Trail Parks and Recreation District (NTRPD) Chiller is the winner of the 5^th Annual Governors Award for Parks and Recreation, presented by Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.

“This project has so many element which represent the best of what our members do,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward.  “It provides a new form of recreation and a destination recreation facility in a community where that was desperately needed while also utilizing partnerships in very innovative ways in order to bring the project to fruition.  This facility is impacting lives throughout Clark County. 

The Governors 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.  The award winner was announced and the award presented at the OPRA Annual Awards Dinner on February 3 at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky.

All fifteen 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 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.

In addition to the Governors Award trophy, NTRPD received a proclamation from Ohio Governor John Kasich and a $500 contribution to their parks and recreation foundation.