Twelve Different Agencies Win OPRA First Place Awards
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association has announced the winners of its 2023 Annual Awards of Excellence. In all, 12 agencies won first place awards and 26 different agencies were honored.
Centerville-Washington Park District took home two 1st place awards. The City of Whitehall Parks and Recreation Department picked up a total for four awards, including one 1st place win.
“These are the best of the best,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “This was a highly competitive process and the winners have gone above and beyond in improving the quality of life in their communities.” Woodward said townships, large and small cities, large and small county park districts, and Ohio State Parks and Watercraft all won 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place awards. “It is extremely satisfying to see such a variety of agencies winning awards. It really underscores our message that life changing work is going on in parks and recreation in communities of every size and type.”
The awards were judged by a panel of 40 parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio.
The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on February 6, 2024 at the Kalahari and Conference Center in Sandusky in conjunction with the 2024 OPRA Conference & Trade Show. One first place award winner will be presented with the 2023 Governor’s Award for Parks and Recreation, a “best-in-show” award which includes a $500 contribution to the parks and recreation foundation of the winner.