Awards & Recognition - Illinois Park and Recreation Association

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Awards & Recognition

Designed to recognize the best-of-the-best in Illinois parks, recreation, and conservation, the Awards & Recognition Program gives professionals an opportunity to recognize colleagues and community members for their extraordinary work and contribution to the industry.

Recognize the brightest stars in Illinois!

The program consists of four individual conference awards, four agency conference awards, one distinguished-member award (per section), and community service awards, so opportunity for recognition is plentiful! Conference awards are presented at the annual Soaring to New Heights Conference, section awards are presented at section board meetings, and community awards are mailed to agencies to be presented to local recipients. For information on award criteria, click on the award of your choice below or contact IPRA Membership Manager Vince Davis at vince @ilipra.org.

All award nomination submissions are due by Saturday, November 9, 2024

To learn more about all of the various awards and their criteria click the button below!

Awards Criteria

Individual Conference Awards

Young Professional of the Year

The IPRA Young Professional of the Year Award is presented to a current Illinois park and recreation professional who has made a significant impact or achievement in the field of parks and recreation and / or the community in which they serve. Current IPRA Board of Directors are not eligible to receive the Young Professional of the Year Award.

Nominations will be accepted August 1 - November 9, 2024.

Click on this slide to learn more about the award criteria

Professional of the Year

The IPRA Professional of the Year Award is presented to a current Illinois park and recreation professional who has made a significant impact or achievement in the field of parks and recreation and / or the community in which they serve. Current IPRA Board of Directors are not eligible to receive the Professional of the Year Award.

Nominations will be accepted August 1 - November 9, 2024.

Click on this slide to learn more about the award criteria

Community Impact

The IPRA Community Impact Award is presented to a current Illinois park and recreation professional who has made a significant impact in the community in which they serve. Current Executive Directors, CEOs, and IPRA Board of Directors are not eligible to receive the Community Impact Award.

Nominations will be accepted August 1 - November 9, 2024.

Click on this slide to learn more about the award criteria

Robert Artz Lifetime Achievement

The IPRA Robert Artz Lifetime Achievement Award was established to honor Robert Artz’s legacy of service to the park and recreation profession. The recipient’s efforts will have had lasting impact and created awareness of the importance of parks and recreation among peers and in the community they serve. Current IPRA Board of Directors are not eligible to receive the Robert Artz Award.

Nominations will be accepted August 1 - November 9, 2024

Click on this slide to learn more about the award criteria

Agency Conference Awards

Outstanding Park or Facility

The IPRA Outstanding Park or Facility Award is presented to public agencies for outstanding and unique achievements in the design and development of new or renovated recreation parks and facilities.

Nominations will be accepted August 1 - November 9, 2024.

Click on this slide to learn more about the award criteria

Outstanding Program or Special Event

The IPRA Outstanding Program or Special Event Award is presented to public agencies for outstanding and unique achievements in program development and implementation and special event planning.

Nominations will be accepted August 1 - November 9, 2024.

Click on this slide to learn more about the award criteria

Special Event App

Exceptional Workplace

Park and Recreation agencies applying for the Exceptional Workplace Award must complete an online survey that will be emailed to the applicant within 24 hours upon completion of payment. It includes a series of 48 questions, and each question must be answered. A point value has been assigned to each question, which the committee will use when your questions are being reviewed and tallied. Once the survey has been reviewed, if the committee feels that there is a need for documentation, your agency will be notified prior to the final decision.

Surveys are due November 9, 2024. The application fee is $50.

Click on this slide to learn more about the award criteria

IAPD/IPRA Champions for Change

The IAPD/IPRA Champions for Change Award is presented to an agency with unique and exemplary practices of increasing access and fostering diversity and inclusion within their community or organization. These are measurable practices that remove barriers, result in positive social change, and inspire others to follow in their path. It improves the working experience and engagement levels of employees from underrepresented communities, and/or the lives of all people through the delivery of excellent services that provide social equity and access in the community.

Nominations accepted August 1 - November 9, 2024.

Click on this slide to learn more about the award criteria

Section Distinguished Awards

Do you know someone who has been a superstar in their section? Nominate them for the Distinguished Member of the Year and help them get the recognition they deserve! Applications are being accepted for all sections (Administration & Finance, Communications & Marketing, Diversity, Facility Management, Forest Preserve & Conservation, Parks & Natural Resource Management, Recreation, and Therapeutic Recreation!

Applications will be accepted August 1 - November 9, 2024.

Click on this slide to learn more about the award criteria

Community Service Awards

Looking for a special way to say “THANK YOU” to individuals, volunteers or organizations? Look no further than the IAPD / IPRA Community Service Award, which is designed to help you and your agency celebrate and recognize the efforts and contributions of those in your community that make recreation a vital part of everyone lifestyle. Application fee is $50 and includes the making and delivery of the original plaque; duplicate plaques may be ordered for $30.00 each.

Click on this slide to learn more about the award criteria

CSA Award Order

Update to Community Service Awards Program

We are thrilled to announce an important update to our Community Service Awards program that will allow us to celebrate and recognize the outstanding contributions of our community members more frequently.

Starting May 1st, 2024 our Community Service Awards will now be presented on a quarterly basis! This change from an annual to a quarterly schedule will help us keep the spirit of appreciation and recognition vibrant throughout the year.

Here’s what you need to know about the new quarterly awards schedule:

Registration and Orders Open: Starting from May 1st, you can submit orders for the awards.

Order Placement: Orders will be placed on the final day of each quarter—ensuring that your awards are timely and reflective of the recipients' recent contributions.
Direct Shipment: To streamline the process, all orders will be shipped directly to you. This change will help you distribute the awards conveniently and efficiently at your local celebrations or events.
Why Order Through IPRA?: Take advantage of the bulk pricing we get from the vendors due to the number of awards we are able to order on behalf of all of our members.

Quarterly Order Deadlines:

Q1: March 31
Q2: June 30
Q3: September 30
Q4: December 31

View a complete list of award recipients