2022 OPRA Governor’s Award Finalists Announced

Three projects have been selected by a panel of judges for the 2022 Governor’s Award for Parks and Recreation.  Columbus Recreation and Parks Department’s Teaching Life Skills Through Sports Program, Erie MetroParks’ Nature on Wheels, and the City of North Canton’s Possibility Playground were selected from among the 13 first place award winners.

Columbus Recreation and Parks
Although we’ve learned to live with COVID-19, its impact on children’s learning and development still poses a challenge, especially for the most vulnerable youth. To address these challenges, Columbus Recreation and Parks partnered with The Ohio State University Foundation to offer LiFEsports Summer Camp to at-risk youth ages 5-14.

Seen as a national model, the eight-week camp uses sports to improve skills in Self-Control, Effort, Teamwork, and Social Responsibility (S.E.T.S.). Each day, youth practice these skills so they can apply them to any setting. Practice is accomplished through sports, play-based social skills, science, and health and wellness activities. Additionally, youth receive breakfast and lunch to fuel their bodies and minds.

In 2022, 221 youth enrolled, and the vast majority reported the camp made a difference:

  • 89% say they “can better control my feelings”
  • 80% say they try to do the right thing when no one is watching
  • 5% say they learned to act responsibly when playing sports
  • 83% say they use S.E.T.S. at school, home, and/or in the community

Through fun activities, the LIFEsports camp helped youth learn valuable life skills and slowed learning loss.

Columbus Recreation and parks LiFEsports Summer Camp

Erie MetroParks
Erie MetroParks Nature on Wheels (EMP NOW) was born out of programming staff’s desire to reduce barriers to nature education within urban communities. Although it is not possible to eliminate all barriers (e.g., transportation), creating EMP NOW with the capacity to bring education and resources to diverse communities is a creative solution to this obstacle. Reaching diverse communities within Erie County was the primary goal when developing this program, while also providing fun, unique learning experiences to children not reached through in-park programming. EMP NOW will continue to provide opportunities to the community and reduce barriers that limit access for residents.

The wonder and joy on the faces of children and families as they released a butterfly for the first time or caught their first dragonfly was priceless and one of the many reasons this project was created. This project offered a unique opportunity to profoundly impact the lives of Erie County residents with this project. Continuing to show up and help build a positive relationship towards nature and conservation education, helps raise the bar in the community and inspire the next generation of naturalists and workers within the parks and recreation profession.

Erie MetroParks Nature on Wheels

City of North Canton
Possibility Playground is the first newly developed playground for the City of North Canton in over 20 years! It is a thoughtfully executed, fully inclusive, accessible-to-all, play space that has been an exciting destination for children of all ages and abilities.  It was named Possibility Playground to promote the possibility of true inclusive play for children with special needs. To show that it is possible for children with special needs to have full access and play alongside their non-disabled peers. It bridged the gap that existed in not having an outdoor play space with an accessible surface, a variety of equipment mixed throughout, and a fence for safety.  It also did much more for the community. It restored hope and brought excitement to previously stalled park development.

The beautiful new play space is centrally located in an area formerly used as a natural ice-skating rink, until 1981.  The area had become unusable and was surrounded by beautiful shade trees.   The 12,500 square foot project was designed by Brandstetter Carroll Inc., constructed by A. Altman Co., and equipment purchased through Snider Recreation.   Parking was expanded, a new restroom facility added, and the local library built the community’s first story-walk path.  Opening day was April 23, 2022 and there has been high attendance every day since.

City of North Canton Possibility Playground

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 nine statewide organizations formed the voting panel for the 2022 award.  They included: Ohio Automobile Dealers Association, Ohio Beverage Association, Ohio Business Roundtable, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Homebuilders Association, Ohio Library Council, Ohio Manufacturers Association, Ohio Municipal League, and Ohio Township Association.

They judged the project, program, and event winners based on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated impact of the project, program, or event on the community quality of life;
  • The project, program, or event is unique/innovative or presents a new way of doing something;
  • The project, program, or event addresses a felt need in the community and includes clear goals which are achieved; and,
  • The project, program, or event 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 January 31 at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky.

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