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MRPA Professional Awards
By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association
Award winners (left to right): Jenna Smith, Becky Sola, Tom Schmitz, Dale McCamish, Alex McKinney, Thomas Anderson
This years’ professional awards ceremony was held on April 1, 2022 at the Apple Valley Senior Center. MRPA recognizes members and agencies that have made outstanding contributions to parks and recreation. MRPA extends a special thank you to Landscape Structures, Inc. and Flagship Recreation for their generous support of the awards program and to the City of Apple Valley for hosting the event. The Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award is MRPA’s award of highest distinction. The 2021 recipient for this award was Tom Schmitz, parks and recreation director for New Ulm. The Jack Niles Award is presented to a male professional member with 10-plus years of outstanding service to the parks and recreation profession and to MRPA. The 2021 recipient was Alex McKinney with Washington County Parks. The Dorothea Nelson Award is presented to a female professional member with 10-plus years of outstanding service to the parks and recreation profession and to MRPA. The recipients were Marcia Larson with Bemidji Parks and Recreation and Becky Sola with Shoreview Parks and Recreation. Jenna Smith with Bloomington Parks and Recreation received the Horizon Award. This award is given to a professional member of MRPA with eight years or less of professional experience. In order to receive this award, the MRPA member must be an “up and coming” professional and an active contributor to MRPA with great leadership skills. The Board and Commission Award is given to a member of a citizen’s advisory or policy-making board in the parks and recreation profession. The recipient was Thomas Anderson, with Corcoran Parks and Recreation. The Gerald B. Fitzgerald Leadership Award is presented to an outstanding leader who possesses the skill, creativity, and ability to motivate and create notable accomplishments or advancements in the parks and recreation profession and someone who is an active contributor to MRPA. Dale McCamish with Rochester Parks and Recreation was the 2020 recipient of this award, but was unable to attend the banquet held in October 2021. He was recognized during this year’s event. Congratulations to all the MRPA professional award recipients. We look forward to the 2022 Annual General Meeting and Awards Luncheon in January of 2023.
