Eleven Different Agencies Win OPRA First Place Awards
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association has announced the winners of its 2024 Annual Awards of Excellence. In all, 11 agencies won first place awards, and 27 different agencies were honored.
Ohio State Parks and Watercraft and the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department each received two first place awards.
“These are the best of the best,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “This was a highly competitive process. We had more nominees this year than we have ever had before, 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 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 53 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 4, 2025 at the Kalahari and Conference Center in Sandusky in conjunction with the 2025 OPRA Conference & Trade Show. One first place award winner will be presented with the 2024 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.