Congratulations, 2025 Award Recipients!
This spring, we want to honor the amazing people, parks, and programs that received an award at the awards ceremony during the 2025 WRPA Conference & Tradeshow. The WRPA Awards Program honors individuals and organizations for their contributions to the field of recreation and parks in Washington State. A variety of awards were handed out to WRPA members and public citizens.
There are three categories recognized for WRPA's Awards Program: Professional Awards, Citation of Merit Awards, and Spotlight Awards. In addition to these categories, WRPA also acknowledges Mickey Corso Leadership Grant recipients.
View the Slide Show Presentation
Mickey Corso Leadership Grant
The Mickey Corso Professional Leadership Grant was created as a tribute to Mickey Corso (1942–1990) and to his inspiring leadership skills in the recreation and park field. Each year, this grant is awarded to deserving professionals who are looking to further their education and leadership skills.
Jeremy Jasman, City of Mercer Island
Audrey Cooper, City of Chelan
Professional Award Recipients
The WRPA Professional Awards celebrate outstanding individuals in parks and recreation, from emerging leaders and unsung heroes to influential advocates, retired professionals, and those advancing legislative priorities—honoring dedication, impact, and lasting contributions to the field.
Levy Legislative Award
Honors exceptional services surrounding legislative initiatives for WA State and respective communities.
Roxanne Miles, Former WRPA Legislative Committee Chair
Lasting Legacy Award
The Lasting Legacy Award (formally know as Distinguished Service) honors recently retired professionals for outstanding service in the field of parks and recreation.
Aaron Pointer, Parks Tacoma Commissioner, City of Tacoma
James Fileds, Aquatics Coordinator, City of Vancouver
Tim Reid (received by Laurie Beck), Community Services Program Coordinator, City of Bellevue
Daryl Faber, Arts, and Recreation, City of Auburn Parks
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.
Mike Farrell, City of Monroe
Emerging Professional Award
The Emerging Professional Award (formerly known as Young Professional) 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.
Stacy Stenslie, Kelsey Creek Farm, City of Bellevue
Chelsea Kapica, Snohomish County Parks and Recreation, Stanwood WA
President's Award
The President's Award allows the current WRPA President to honor an individual or organization of their choosing.
Joanna Martin, City of Longview
Impact and Influence Award
As the highest recognition bestowed by WRPA to an individual, the Impact and Influence Award (formally known as Honor Fellow) recognizes an individual’s dedication and achievement in the field of parks and recreation. The individual selected must be equal in mind, character, and professionalism to those who have preceded him or her and must set an example for those who will follow.
Daryl Faber, Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation
Citation of Merit Award Recipients
Professional Award
This awards honors a park and recreation professional whose contributions to the field of parks and recreation and WRPA.
Paul Davenport, Seattle Parks & Recreation
Community Award
This award recognizes individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to the field of park and recreation.
Nancy MacKerrow, Spokane Parks & Recreation
Spotlight Awards in Program Excellence Recipients
Spotlight Awards recognize outstanding achievements by parks and recreation agencies.
Spotlight Awards Program Excellence: Equity, Health & Wellness (population under 100,000)
This award recognizes outstanding achievement in the delivery of parks and recreation programs and services that promote healthy lifestyles and community wellness.
Kirkland Teen Union Building - Parks and Community Services Department
Innovative Programming (population under 100,000)
This award recognizes an outstanding achievement in the delivery of parks and recreation programs and services that are unique and cutting edge. Successfully address a community need.
Outdoor Explorers, City of Burien
Innovative Programming (population over 100,000)
Metropolitan Parks District of Tacoma, Park Guides, City of Tacoma
Other Program, Initiative, or Special Event (population under 100,000)
This award recognizes programs, initiatives or special events that celebrate community character.
Marysville Parks, Culture & Recreation, Let’s Do Lunch
Other Program, Initiative, or Special Event (population over 100,000)
Vancouver Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services, Vancouver Arts & Music Festival
Spotlight Awards in Facilities, Parks & Trails Recipients
Spotlight Awards highlight excellence and achievements in the field of parks and recreation by honoring the amazing efforts of public agencies and design firms. Facilities & Parks Awards recognize the highest standards in design, development, and renovation of park and recreation areas.
Indoor Spaces (population under 100,000)
This award recognizes outstanding achievement in indoor facilities (defined as having a roof and walls) that have a recreational use component.
Redmond Senior & Community Center, City of Redmond
Indoor Spaces (population over 100,000)
Peninsula Metropolitan Park District, Pierce County
Outdoor Spaces (population under 100,000)
This award recognizes outstanding achievement in outdoor areas that have a recreational use component.
Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, City of Shoreline
Cedar Lanes Park, Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation
Outdoor Spaces (population over 100,000)
Seattle Parks and Recreation, City of Seattle
Champions for Change
This award is presented to an agency with unique, innovative and exemplary practices of and or all of the following:
- Increasing access
- Fostering diversity and inclusion
- Addressing environmental impact
- Overall enhancement of social equity within their community or organization.
Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park and Recreation District, Neurodiverse Student Conservation Corps
Learn More About the Awards
Learn more about the WRPA Awards Program and be sure to submit nominations for future awards. It is important to celebrate your amazing work and the work of your team and colleagues.
Learn More
Past Award Winners:
- 2024
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- Prior to 2006
A Special Message of Inclusion from WRPA
In early 2021, a joint retreat was held between members of the Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EIB) Committee and the WRPA Board of Directors. The purpose of the retreat was to discuss the culture of our association, while also identifying a work plan designed to improve equity and inclusion at all levels of the association. Our ultimate goal is to create an association where EVERY member feels welcome and enjoys a strong sense of belonging.
We are excited to announce—thanks to the leaders of the Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee—we have begun a phased approach to updating our award categories and the associated criteria. In hopes of creating a more inclusive awards program, we are taking the initial steps of modernization of some of the category names as well as updating evaluation criteria. While this is an important first step in terms of addressing the existing language and award categories, we know there is additional work to be done in the future.
Through our annual awards program, WRPA looks to honor career-long and emerging leaders alike. As 2021 draws to a close and we reflect on the many accomplishments of our industry, we would encourage each of you to review the revised criteria below and then submit nominations for the incredible co-workers, supervisors, and staff we are all surrounded by.