Clarksville Parks and Recreation wins Award for Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center
Franklin, TN – The Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association (TRPA) announces the recipients of the association’s 2011 Awards Program. The outstanding achievements of these individuals, communities and organizations were acknowledged during the association’s 60th Annual Conference at Paris Landing State Park on October 5th, 2011.
The Distinguished Young Professional Award was presented to Jennifer Rich Gentry of Morristown for her outstanding service to the Parks and Recreation profession and her community. Gentry is a Programmer for Morristown Parks and Recreation and coordinates a variety of Morristown’s events and programs including Scare Crows in the Park, Olympic Day, Christmas in the City, PATH (Parks Add to Health) fitness program, and Celebration of Cultures Festival.
[1]City of Clarksville Parks and Recreation won the Four Star New Facility Award for Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center.
Gentry is a member of TRPA, the National Association of Sports Commission, Morristown Hamblen County Chamber of Commerce, American Marketing Society, Ducks Unlimited and serves several of Morristown’s civic and sports and leisure organizations.
The Fellow Award is the highest award the association can confer on an individual and recognizes professional members who have made outstanding contributions to the recreation field throughout their career. This year’s recipient is Craig Price of Morristown. Price has been the Director of the Morristown Parks and Recreation Department since 1993, overseeing the largest expansion for parks and recreation development since the department was founded in 1954. Price is a 35-year member of TRPA who has served on the TRPA Executive Board 6 times, is a Past President of the Association, a founding member of the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Education Foundation (TRPEF), and has served on numerous committees and special appointments within the organization while also serving several of the civic, sports and leisure, and spiritual organizations of the Morristown community.
The Lifetime Member Award honors and recognizes individuals who have made numerous and/or significant long-term contributions within the parks and Recreation Profession. This prestigious award can be given to more than one nominee per year. TRPA recognized two outstanding members this year: Carolyn “C.C.” Carr of Murfreesboro and Jacqueline Simpson of Chattanooga.
After 40 years of service to the field of Parks and Recreation, Carr retired from the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department in 2010 where she was a program coordinator and headed up may programs and the operation of two community centers.
Simpson, also a retiree, worked for the City of Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department for over 30 years and has dedicated her life and service to the community by opening the doors to Glenwood Recreation Center since 1978.
The Four Star Awards include awards given in 5 categories (based on budget) to recognize excellence in Programming, Special Events, Marketing, and Renovated and New Facility Design; as well as Individual Service and Benefactor Awards for community partners.
Four Star Program Awards
Budget Under $5,000-Pigeon Forge Parks and Recreation for the Climbing Wall Fitness Program
Budget of $5,001-$10,000-City of Franklin Parks and Recreation for the Growing Kids Educational Garden
Budget Over $10,000-Metro Nashville Parks and Recreation for The Nashville Collaborative: Successful Childhood Obesity Interventions.
Four Star Special Event Awards
Budget Under $5,000-Kingsport Parks and Recreation for the Lynn View Funfest Block Party
Budget Over $10,000-City of Oak Ridge Parks and Recreation for Graduation Celebration
Four Star Marketing Awards
Budget Under $5,000-Kingsport Parks and Recreation for the Window Decal Marketing Program
Budget of $5,001-$10,000-Knoxville Parks and Recreation for the Knoxville Greenways Map
Four Star Renovated Facility Awards
Budget of $100,001-$500,000-City of Franklin Parks and Recreation for Fieldstone Park
Budget of $500,001-$1,000,000-Oak Ridge Parks and Recreation for Cedar Hill Park Playground
Budget Over $1,000,000-Kingsport Parks and Recreation for V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex
Four Star New Facility Awards
Budget Under $100,000-City of Franklin Parks and Recreation for Freedom Run Dog Park at Liberty Park
Budget of $100,001-$500,000-Town of Farragut Parks and Leisure Services for McFee Park Phase 2
Budget Over $1,000,000-City of Clarksville Parks and Recreation for Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center
Four Star Benefactor Awards
Barrette Outdoor Living Fencing, Bulls Gap-nominated by Morristown Parks and Recreation for providing fencing for the Rotary Splash pad.
The late Dr. Harry Coover, Kingsport -nominated by Kingsport Parks and Recreation for providing seed money to fund Allendale Mansion’s outdoor amphitheater “The Heron Dome”.
Four Star Individual Service Awards
Brian Hann, Appalachian Bike Club, Knoxville-nominated by Knoxville Parks and Recreation for coordinating thousands of man hours and putting his own labor into building ten miles of multi-use trails in Knoxville parks.
Dr. Linda Gilbert, Director of Murfreesboro City Schools-nominated by Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation for her service on the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Commission and her efforts to initiate The Patterson Coalition.
Chuck Hope, Jr, Oak Ridge-nominated by Oak Ridge Parks and Recreation for his dedication as a volunteer for the original build of Cedar Hill Park Playground in 1988 and service again as Tools Chairperson the renovation in 2011.
Branch & Section Awards
The Longfellow Award is presented by the Aquatics and Wellness Section each year to a person, persons or agency responsible for outstanding programming or accomplishments in Aquatics. The 2011 recipient is Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation for the Bradley Learn-to-Swim Program
The Donald H Stanton Award is presented by the Ethnic Minority Section to the community determined to have the best overall Community Center programs. The 2011 recipient is Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation.
The Wayne Hansard Award is presented by the Municipal County Section and recognizes the personnel who have demonstrated Excellence in the Maintenance of Parks, Facilities, and/or Grounds. The 2011 recipient is Steve Toombs, Maintenance Superintendant for Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation.
The Robert Horsley Award is presented by the Municipal County Section and recognizes community center personnel, who have planned, conducted or was responsible for the Most Outstanding Community Center Program during the year. The 2011 Recipient is Gary Arbit of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation for “McFadden Community Center After School Program.”
The Maynard Glenn Award is presented by the Municipal County Section and recognizes personnel or specialists who have planned, conducted or were responsible for the Most Outstanding Recreation Program of the year. The 2011 Recipient is Thomas Laird of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation for “Toddler Time with Thomas”
Award of Excellence – is presented by the Resource Management Section to one individual, agency or organization (public or private) that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of Resource Management. The 2011 recipient is Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation for Murfreesboro Teen Adventure Club
Special Events, Arts and Marketing (SEAM) Awards recognize innovation and creativity and inspire others to develop similar programs in their own area.
The SEAM Dance Award was presented to Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation for “Dance” at Patterson Park Community Center.
The SEAM Music Award was presented to Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation for “3rd Friday Concert Series” at Cannonsburgh.
The SEAM Theater Award was presented to Goodlettesville Parks and Recreation for “Secession and How they Handled It” at Mansker’s Station.
President’s Cup
The President’s Cup Award recognizes member agencies that have provided exemplary service to TRPA though attendance at state conferences and workshops, membership, staff writing for publications or serving on boards and committees.
Category I (Population 100,000 and over) Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation
Category II (Population 40,000-99,999) Kingsport Parks and Recreation
Category III (Population 20,000-39,999) Morristown Parks and Recreation
Category IV (Population 10,000-19,999) Brownsville/Haywood County Parks and Recreation
Category V (Population 5,000-9,999) Pigeon Forge Parks and Recreation
Category VI (Population 4,999 and under) no applications
Category VII (Other Agencies) TDEC -Recreation Education Services