2026 mParks Award Nomination

Individual Awards

Individual Awards are the highest honor our Association presents; the awards honor the dedicated performance of a mParks member or advocate of the parks and recreation profession.

Please submit a minimum of two (2) letters of support with the nomination

Some awards may not be given out each year, pending nominations.

Fellowship
The mParks Fellowship Award is presented to a member who consistently demonstrates significant investment, support and guidance to fellow professionals. Honorees exemplify the highest level of professionalism in all aspects of our profession, in his or her own organization and within the membership. Nominees must be a member of mParks in good standing for a minimum of 20 years.

Recreation Leadership
The Recreation Leadership Award is presented to a member for outstanding contributions and leadership in the area of recreation programming. Nominees must be a member of mParks in good standing for a minimum of 10 years.

Park Maintenance Leadership
Park Resource Leadership Award recipients demonstrate outstanding contributions in the area of maintenance practice, equipment management, resource development and environmental stewardship. There is no minimum mParks membership requirement for this award.

New Professional 
This award recognizes new professionals for outstanding service to their agency, their community and the Association. Nominees must be employed full time in parks and recreation no more than five years and an active mParks member in good standing.

Local Elected Official
This award honors elected local officials who have made significant contributions towards enhancing resident quality of life through the promotion of parks and recreation.

State Elected Official
This award is presented to an elected official who has exhibited exceptional support of parks and recreation. Eligible nominees include, but are not limited to, state elected officials such as representatives, senators, governors, etc.

Award nominations must be fully complete to be considered for review.

Design Awards

Facility Design - Community Centers, indoor pools, gymnasiums, indoor sports complexes, welcome / information centers, nature centers, restrooms, picnic shelters, park support amenities.

Landscape Design - gardens, landscape art, earth sculptures, interpretive pathways and gardens, reclamation projects and conservation projects.
Park Design - projects contain landscape and facility components; examples include splash pads, outdoor aquatic facilities, sports fields, playgrounds, and trails and linear parks.

Park Design - projects contain landscape and facility components; examples include splash pads, outdoor aquatic facilities, sports fields, playgrounds, and trails and linear parks.

Agencies may only submit up to two nominations per award category.

To be considered complete and eligible for review, nominations must include:

• Two to three pages of typewritten narrative
• A maximum of 10 images with captions
• Three plan views of the project
• 200-word description to be read if the project wins

The narrative should include the community size and description, the project purpose and local significance, as well as the project budget. The role of the parks and recreation professional and any unique problems or techniques used
should also be described.

Award nominations must be fully completed to be considered for review.

Innovative Recreation Programming - honoring creative recreation programs, fundraising activities, promotional tools and/or management practices. The Innovative Recreation Programming award also recognizes programs that engages a new audience, or a previously untapped group of community members.

Innovative Park Resources - recognizing an innovative maintenance program, equipment design, sustainable practices or revenue producer/fundraising practices.

Agencies may only submit up to two nominations per award category.

To be considered complete and eligible for review, nominations must include:

• One to two pages of typewritten narrative
• A minimum of 2 images or relevant file uploads with captions
• 200-word description to be read if project wins

 

Marketing Awards

Agencies may only submit up to two nominations per award category.

To be considered complete and eligible for review, nominations must include:

• One to two pages of typewritten narrative
• A minimum of 2 images or file uploads with captions
• 200-word description to be read if project wins

Seasonal Brochure / Activity Guide
This category honors outstanding seasonal brochures/activity guides
published December 2023 - November 2024. Entries are judged on graphic design and use of photography and/or artwork, as well as creativity, sentence structure and description writing. 

Web Site
Agency websites are a critical way to communicate with residents and non-residents alike. How well they function in serving a community is of utmost importance. Judging will focus on site functionality, ease of use, design and content.

Social Media Campaign
Social media has been legitimized in recent years as a substantial portion
of a marketer’s role. Judging in this category will be based around a social media campaign’s overall effectiveness, creativity, adherence to best practices and results. Social channels can include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Google+, YouTube or a combination of channels.

Graphic Design Piece
Judging in this category will evaluate a marketing piece’s creativity, graphic
design and overall messaging effectiveness. Digital and print submissions are both accepted. This category is open to the following:
· Flyers
· Social media graphics
· Special brochures
· Maps
· Banners/signs
· Postcards

Integrated Marketing Campaign (IMC)
Integrated marketing campaigns aim to create consistency of message through a variety of media channels. The IMC Award honors the agency, professional or organization that has developed an outstanding campaign using a variety of coordinated mediums to deliver an effective message to an audience. Candidates must utilize at least three of the following media tools:
· Video
· Social Media
· Web sites or blogs
· Printed material
· Audio
· Public Relations
· Other

Media Advocate
The Media Advocate award highlights a member of the media community who has been a vocal supporter of parks and recreation. Nominees may be a member of any media community, including television, radio, newspaper, online publication, etc. The Media Advocate Award allows mParks members to thank media professionals who understand the importance of local parks, recreation programs and facilities.

Karen Linn Medve Outstanding Achievement

This award recognizes excellence in the Therapeutic Recreation profession. The candidate must have five years of experience in the field, maintain membership in at least one professional organization, contribute significantly to the profession’s advancement, and mentor other professionals. 

 

Excellence in Therapeutic Programming

This award acknowledges a hospital, agency, or department for innovation and breadth of service in TR program development. The award recognizes accomplishments and consistently high standards in the clinical or community setting. Submit a brief narrative description focusing on one facet or the overall program. Please include background on the following areas as they apply: number of people served, program goals and mission statements, sample documentation (initial evaluation, program evaluation, etc.), program
results (participant satisfaction, analysis, ideas for improvement), and flyers, brochures, competencies, or types of programs offered.