WRPA Awards Program

Celebrate Your Hard Work! Nominations Are Now Open!

The Washington Recreation & Park Association celebrates people, parks, and programs with an annual awards program honoring WRPA member's outstanding contributions to the field of parks and recreation in Washington State. We have three major categories that we recognize: Professional Awards, Citation of Merit Awards, and Spotlight Awards. Each of these categories has subcategories that are detailed below.

Categories

The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2025.

Professional Awards	Citation of Merit Awards	Spotlight Awards
Emerging Professional	Community	Program Excellence	Facilities, Parks, and Trails
Ron C. Davis II Unsung Hero	Professional	Champions for Change
Impact and Influence
Lasting Legacy
Levy Legislative
Submit Today	Submit Today	Submit Today	Submit Today

WRPA Professional Awards

Emerging Professional Award (Formally Known as Young Professional):
The Emerging Professional Award recognizes up-and-coming leaders in the parks and recreation profession. Those selected for the honor possess the qualities and talents that will result in their assuming top leadership roles in the field and within WRPA in the future. Read More>

Ron C. Davis II Unsung Hero Award:
The Ron C Davis II Award recognizes an individual for their unwavering commitment, leadership, passion, and contributions to the profession. This award is meant for those individuals who work tirelessly to make a difference in people’s lives, without being in the spotlight, without significant acknowledgment, but with steadfast grace and passion. This award is for an Unsung Hero. Read More>

Impact and Influence Award (Formally Known as Honor Fellow):
As the highest recognition bestowed by WRPA to an individual, the Impact and Influence Award recognizes an individual’s dedication and achievement in the field of parks and recreation. Read More>

Lasting Legacy Award (Formally Known as Distinguished Service):
The Lasting Legacy Award honors recently retired professionals for outstanding service in the field of parks and recreation. Read More>

Levy Legislative Award
Named after WRPA’s long-time Legislative Lobbyist, Doug Levy, the Levy Legislative Award recognizes an individual or organization for their significant contributions to advancing the Association’s legislative agenda and for advocacy efforts that advance the field of parks and recreation. Read More>

President's Award:
The President's Award allows the current WRPA President to honor an individual or organization of their choosing.

WRPA Citation of Merit Awards

The Citation of Merit Award recognizes individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to the field of parks and recreation. The Citation of Merit Award includes two award categories:

Community:
Honors an individual, group, or organization that has contributed to the field of parks and recreation. Read More>

Professional:
Honors a park and recreation professional whose contributions to the field of parks and recreation and WRPA. Read More>

WRPA Spotlight Awards

Spotlight Awards recognize outstanding achievements by parks and recreation agencies. Award categories include three categories:

Champions for Change Award:

The Champions of Change Award is presented to an agency with unique, innovative, and exemplary practices of increasing access, fostering diversity and inclusion, addressing environmental impact, and overall enhancement of social equity within their community or organization. Read More>

Facilities, Parks, and Trails:
Recognizes excellence in parks and recreation facility design and construction. Read More>

Program Excellence:
Honors achievement in the delivery of parks and recreation programs and services. Read More>

Mickey Corso Professional Leadership Grant

As a tribute to Mickey Corso and the professional leadership he provided in the field of parks and recreation, his family, friends, and co-workers have established the Mickey Corso Leadership Scholarship.

This grant is awarded to professionals and students looking to continue their education in the field of recreation and parks. The grant can be used to pursue post-graduate trainings such as NRPA schools, graduate courses, or other courses and opportunities relating to recreation and park leadership.