Awards

Nebraska Recreation & Park Association Award Guidelines.

2021 AWARD WINNERS

2020 AWARD WINNERS

FELLOW AWARD

• been a member of NeRPA for a minimum of 5 years.
• worked in the recreation & park field a minimum of 10 years.
• held office in a state and/or national professional organization or performed important committee work.
• received broad acclaim from peers in excellence in one or more of the following: acquisition, design, construction, development, maintenance, administration, fund raising and financing, program development, public relations, leadership.
• brought recognition to the profession through leadership in other organizations.

NEW PROFESSIONAL AWARD

• been a member of NeRPA* for a minimum of 1 year.
• worked in the recreation & park field no more than 10 years.
• held office in a state and/or national professional organization or performed important committee
• received broad acclaim from peers in excellence in one or more of the following: acquisition, design, construction, development, maintenance, administration, fund raising and financing, program development, public relations, leadership.
• brought recognition to the profession through leadership in other organizations.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

• been a member of NeRPA* for a minimum of 5 years.
• worked in the recreation & park field for a minimum of 10 years.
• received broad acclaim from peers in excellence in one or more of the following: acquisition, design, construction, development, maintenance, administration, fund raising and financing, program development, public relations, leadership.

LIFE MEMBER AWARD

• been a member of NeRPA* for a minimum of 5 years.
• reached the age of 60 and retired.

VOLUNTARY SERVICE (INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION)

• volunteered service in or on behalf of recreation & parks for a minimum of 5 years.
• served on boards or with recreation & park organizations at the local, state or national level.
• worked actively on behalf of significant legislation at the local, state or national level.
• been a donor to recreation & park agencies, organizations or institutions.
• provided public service through efforts in related organizations, institutions or fields.
• demonstrated awareness & concern that each individual have an opportunity for enriched living through recreation & parks.

ARTS AND HUMANITIES AWARD

• This award is open to any leisure service agency in the state that is a member or whose director or superintendent is a member of both NRPA and NeRPA.
• In the event that a community has no leisure service agency but is offering an outstanding program in the arts & humanities, the program may be submitted by any leisure service agency, director or superintendent belonging to both NRPA and NeRPA.
• The program must have been conducted during the year immediately proceeding the year of the award.

OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL AWARD

• been in the recreation, park or therapeutic field.
• been a member of NeRPA for a minimum of 3 years.
• made significant contributions to the recreation, park or therapeutic profession.
• shown and demonstrated professional growth.

BENEFITS ARE ENDLESS AWARD (INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION)

• worked within or outside the recreation & park fields.
• provided service in or on behalf of recreation & parks at the local, state or national level.
• worked actively on behalf of significant legislation at the local, state or national level
• been a donor to recreation & park agencies, organizations or institutions.
• demonstrated awareness & concern that each individual have an opportunity for enriched living through recreation & parks.

BENEFITS ARE ENDLESS AWARDS

• Membership with NeRPA is not required but recommended.
• Staff from park and recreation departments and therapeutic recreation agencies submit a summary describing their outstanding recreation program along with no more than 10 color photographs or a brief video.
• Entries will be categorized by population. Class I: over 10, 000, Class II: under 10,000.
• Finalist will be asked, but not required, to briefly present their program during a session at the NeRPA State Conference.
• Program must have been conducted during the year immediately proceeding the year of the award.

• The recognized benefits from the program for the individuals, community and department;
• The growth of participation over the years or the extraordinary attendance the first year; and
• Unique qualities of the program.

PARK & FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT AWARD

• Membership with NeRPA is not required but recommended.
• Staff from park and recreation departments or state parks submit a summary describing their outstanding park or facilities project along with no more than 10 color photographs or a brief video.
• Entries will be categorized by population. Class I: over 10, 000, Class II: under 10,000.
• Finalist will be asked, but not required, to briefly present their program during a session at the NeRPA State Conference.
• Facility, Amenity and/or improvement must have been completed during the year immediately proceeding the year of the award.

• The recognized benefits from the facility, amenity and/or improvement for the individuals, community and department;
• Usage of the park and facilities; and
• Unique qualities of the park and facilities.