Awards Committee

The purpose of the Awards Committee is to recognize individuals, agencies, organizations, or institutions for their excellent, outstanding, or unique accomplishments in recreation, parks, leisure services, conservation of the environment, and the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association.

Awards Committee Co-Chair
Carrie Anderson
Roseville Parks and Recreation
651.792.7102
Carrie.Anderson@cityofroseville.com

Awards Committee Co-Chair
Jared Flewellen
Eagan Parks and Recreation
651.675.5505
jflewellen@cityofeagan.com

Professional Award Recipients 2022

MRPA honored the following outstanding parks and recreation professionals at the MRPA Professional Awards Ceremony January 13, 2023. 

CLIFTON E. FRENCH AWARD
Paul Peanasky, Faribault

LEADERSHIP AWARD
Sonya Rippe, Plymouth

TOMMY JOHNSON AWARD
Plymouth Parks and Recreation

JACK NILES AWARD
Reed Smidt, Woodbury

DOROTHEA NELSON AWARD
Annie Olson, Minneapolis

HORIZON AWARD
Meredith Lawrence, Mendota Heights

BOARD AND COMMISSION AWARD
Thomas P. Anderson, Corcoran

Professional Award Recipients 2021

CLIFTON E. FRENCH AWARD
Tom Schmitz, New Ulm

JACK NILES AWARD
Alex McKinney, Washington County

DOROTHEA NELSON AWARD
Marcia Larson and Becky Sola

HORIZON AWARD
Jenna Smith, Bloomington

BOARD AND COMMISSION AWARD
Thomas P. Anderson, Corcoran

Professional Awards

MRPA celebrated the professional awards recipients for 2022 and their outstanding accomplishments during the professional awards ceremony on January 13, 2023 at Torey's Restaurant and Event Center in Owatonna, MN.  The MRPA Annual General Meeting began at 10:30 a.m. Lunch and the MRPA Professional Awards presentations followed.  MRPA will celebrate the 2023 award recipients in January 2024.  More information to follow in the fall of 2024.  Click here for the RFP for the 2023 Annual General Meeting.

Click here to learn more about the professional award categories.

Nomination Procedure:

Nominating an individual for and MRPA Professional Award, Board and Commission and Special Award is an easy process. MRPA professional members who are nominated will receive a professional profile form to complete that will provide more information about their professional experience and MRPA involvement. The MRPA Professional Award recipients are honored during the Annual General Meeting and Awards Luncheon.

2020 Professional Award Recipients

CLIFTON E. FRENCH AWARD
Sandy Breuer, Washington County

JACK NILES AWARD
Nate Rosa, St. Louis Park

DOROTHEA NELSON AWARD
Nicole Gorman, Edina

HORIZON AWARD
Chris Fleck, Eagan
JJ Williams, Washington County  

TOMMY JOHNSON AWARD
St. Louis Park Parks and Recreation  

LEADERSHIP AWARD
Dale McCamish, Rochester 

Awards of Excellence

The Awards of Excellence are presented by Minnesota Recreation and Park Association, and proudly sponsored by Hiway Credit Union.  Applications for 2023 will be announced in February 2024.

MRPA recognizes agencies or organizations in Minnesota for outstanding achievements in the following categories:

• administrative or management strategies
• marketing and communications
• park and facility
• programming and events
• sponsorship and partnerships
• volunteer initiatives

A major goal of the Awards of Excellence program is to increase public awareness and appreciation of the excellent parks, trails, and recreation services available in Minnesota. 

 The awards committee will score selected agencies and follow up with recipients in late spring. 

Public presentations of the awards are made before the agencies’ governing bodies throughout the summer season. These projects will also be highlighted in the fall issue of the MRPA member magazine. 

Awards of Excellence for Projects Complete in 2021 - Read More

Awards of Excellence for Projects Completed in 2020 - Read More

Awards of Excellence for Projects Completed in 2019 - Read More

Awards of Excellence for Projects Completed in 2018 - Read More

Awards of Excellence for Projects Completed in 2017 - Read More

Awards of Excellence for Projects Completed in 2016 - Read More

Awards of Excellence for Projects Completed in 2015 - Read More