WRPA Awards Program

Celebrate Your Hard Work! 

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.
View 2026 Awards Photos

Categories 

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 Nominations by Friday, January 15, 2027.

WRPA Professional Awards

Emerging Professional Award (Formerly 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 (Formerly 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 (Formerly 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. 

Submit a Professional Awards Nomination

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 who has contributed to the field of parks and recreation and WRPA. Read More>

Submit a Citation of Merit Awards Nomination

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>

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

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

Submit a Spotlight Award Nomination: Champions for Change / Program Excellence
Submit a Spotlight Award Nomination: Facilities, Parks Trails

 

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.

 

Congratulations to the 2026 Award Recipients. 

Past Award Winners