Cincinnati Recreation Commission Wins 2017 OPRA Governor’s Award

2017 OPRA Governor Award Winner Cincinnati Recreation Commission

The City of Cincinnati’s Youth 2 Work program (Y2WK), managed by Cincinnati Recreation Commission is the winner of the 8th Annual Governor’s Award for Parks and Recreation, presented by Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.

“This project is an amazing example of the work that parks and recreation professionals do on a daily basis,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward.  “Parks and recreation agencies are involved in improving quality of life in ways that go well beyond what a lot of people think about when they think about parks and recreation. This program provided job training and life skills to nearly 500 Cincinnati area teens who were employed throughout the city last summer. It is the kind of program that can have life-long impacts for the young people who participate.”

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.  The award winner was announced and the award presented at the OPRA Annual Awards Dinner on January 30 at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky.

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

Officials from eight statewide organizations formed the voting panel for the 2017 award.  They included: County Commissioners Association of Ohio, Ohio Association of Broadcasters, Ohio Association of Realtors, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Homebuilders Association, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Ohio Municipal League 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.

In addition to the Governor’s Award trophy, Cincinnati Recreation Commission received a proclamation from Ohio Governor John Kasich and a $500 contribution to their recreation foundation.

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