The best of the best: the National Sporting Goods Association's Gold Medal Award winners are one-of-a-kind agencies.

EMPOWERING COMMUNITY, fostering stewardship and stretching a buck. That pretty much sums up the qualities of the 2002 National Gold Medal winners. The Gold Medal Awards are presented annually by the National Sporting Goods Association Sports Foundation to outstanding parks and recreation agencies in the U.S. The awards are broken into categories based on the size of the community. This year's winners include Lafayette (Colo.) Parks and Recreation Department (less than 25,000 residents), Carol Stream (Ill.) Park District (25,000 to 50,000), Asheville (N.C.) Parks and Recreation Department (50,000 to 100,000), Greensboro (N.C.) Parks and Recreation Department (100,000 to 250,000) and Fairfax County (Va.) Park Authority (250,000 or more residents).

"The purpose of the National Gold Medal Awards is to select and honor the nation's outstanding park and recreation agencies for excellence in the field of recreation management," says Paul Prince, NSGA Foundation Director. Agencies were judged on improvement, service, continuing development, extent of future planning and degree of participant involvement and acceptance by the community. The winners were announced at the Opening General Session of the NRPA National Congress & Exposition in Tampa, Fla., on Oct. 16.

"Over the last year, the importance of parks and recreation has become even more evident to the public," notes David Lose, chair of NRPA's Board of Trustees. "They see our parks as the center of communities. They see our facilities as safe havens. They see our work as what makes Americans, and America, great."

Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department Lafayette Colo.

THE CITY OF LAFAYETTE, COLO., is at the forefront of enriching the human and natural resources of its citizens. That's why it won the 2002 Gold Medal Award for a community of less than 95,000 citizens.

"Our health, our community, our economy and our environment all benefit from investments in parks and recreation opportunities," says Lose. "The investments Lafayette has made through its parks and recreation department have improved the quality of life for the Lafayette citizens. I am delighted that their outstanding community outreach and beautification programs are being recognized as the best in the U.S."

Colorado is one of the fastest growing states in the U.S., and the Front Range, where Lafayette is located, is one of the fastest growing areas in the state. The city's population has grown by 59 percent since 1990, with the biggest increases in the teen and senior populations. "Lafayette's panoramic view of the Rocky Mountains inspires our view of the future," says Rod Tarullo, director of the Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department, quoting Lafayette's vision statement. "We value our heritage, our unique neighborhoods, a vibrant economy and active lifestyles. We envision a future that mixes small-town livability with balanced growth and superior technologies." Lafayette citizens have put their money where their mouth is by supporting two special taxes that have allowed open space in Lafayette to double in the last five years. There's also been significant progress in connecting the community through a popular trail system.

Lafayette's success is based on its ability to effectively link citizen volunteers and professionals into a network of advocates who work together to solve a number of social problems. As the community has grown, so has the percentage of teens (by 76 percent). With the help of a youth advisory board, programs and services have been developed that not only serve the teen community, but also help them become strong citizens and activists. For example, the community's new inline hockey rink was the brainchild of a child (then-9-year-old Nicholas Parachini), a recreation leader (Curt Cheesman, then the city's athletic supervisor) and hockey enthusiast Kevin Knapp. Together they secured funding through a grant from Great Outdoors Colorado, developed partnerships with local businesses and schools for equipment and resources, and, with the cities of Louisville and Boulder, created an inline hockey league. This multicity public/private partnership was the first of its kind in Colorado.

A common thread among Gold Medal winners is their ability to bring their communities together through programs and services. Lafayette's youth have given back to their city in many ways. Recently, they volunteered at the Senior Center's annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner, provided a "Fun House for Kids" at Halloween and supported community events such as the annual Oatmeal Festival and 5K races.

"Lafayette supports its community through programs, but more than that, it empowers its citizens to build the kind of community that reflects their goals and dreams," says Jonathan Korfhage, NRPA president and superintendent of parks and recreation in Foster City, Calif.

The senior population in Lafayette has increased by 102 percent in recent years. Lafayette has responded to this growth by surveying seniors' needs, and then creating programs and services unique to their interests. One example is "Discover U," which offers inline skating, scuba diving and other health classes for seniors. For the less adventurous, Lafayette has partnered with the county health department for "Exercise for the Homebound." No matter their interest or their need, Lafayette supports its older citizens.

Lafayette's programs enrich both human and natural potential. Begun in 1995, the Outdoor Classroom is an educational area that also preserves woodlands, wetlands and a section of upland prairie. It has a self-guided trail that's wheelchair accessible, and it's located adjacent to a 60-acre open space with an active prairie dog colony relocated from a nearby development. The Outdoor Classroom received the National Schoolyard Habitat Designation from the National Wildlife Federation, and is supported by volunteers through the schools, service groups and businesses.

Carol Stream Park District, Carol Stream, Ill.

WHEN A TAX-LIMITING law in Illinois restricted a community from keeping its revenue in sync with the cost of living, how could the community provide the services and programs needed in a growing community? Develop thoughtful planning and creative partnerships. This creative thinking helped Carol Stream, Ill., provide one of the best park systems in the country, and it's why the Carol Stream Park District was awarded the 2002 National Gold Medal Award for communities with 25,000 to 50,000 citizens. Carol Stream has been successful because of its forethought and inclusive philosophy.

"Carol Stream recognizes that a strong park and recreation system is essential for a thriving community," says Lose. "Their success is based on the fact that Carol Stream puts its citizens first. The partnerships Carol Stream makes are for its citizens' wellbeing. Not for turf or increased revenues, but for health, happiness and heritage. That's what parks and recreation is all about.

Carol Stream created partnerships that combined community resources and enabled programs to develop and expand. For example, the community increased its sport and meeting room facilities by sharing school facilities during off-school hours. The school system benefited by the superb park and recreation maintenance crews who provided landscaping services for school building grounds. Another example is how the park district split the cost of constructing a gymnasium with the school district. The Carol Stream philosophy is that, by working together, the community benefits.

Rich in diversity, Carol Stream Park District takes its youth development role seriously. In partnership with local schools, the park district created a before- and after-school program that supports more than 13 percent of the community's children. Working with PTAs and fundraising with community groups, the park district has been able to build playgrounds and renovate parks. These partnerships, such as one with the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, not only helped expand resources--the partnership expanded the preschool program by 67 percent--but they also bring Carol Stream's diverse population together for the common good.

The Carol Stream Park District has also used market-driven management initiatives to expand its community's resources. The district drives up revenue and decreases costs by developing the types of programs that respond to customer wants. All programs must survive a quarterly cost-benefit analysis. Existing programs are constantly monitored for quality and consumer response. An increased focus on customer service, needs and satisfaction helps ensure that community resources are used to their fullest.

"A strong parks and recreation department is also the caretaker of the community's green space and natural resources," said Korfhage. "Carol Stream's parks and recreation programs enrich both the human and natural resources of the community."

The Jan Smith Park Native Plant Museum provides permanent beds for native Illinois plants. Resident gardeners collect free seeds for use in their yards and gardens in the annual Harvest Day event. The Bierman Wetland and Mesic Prairie is another example of the park district's creative thinking. The park has a pond that's a popular fishing area, but the shoreline was eroding, fish populations were declining and annual chemical treatment was needed to control algae. To fix this growing problem, Carol Stream established a mesic prairie, and brought in aquatic plants to stabilize the shoreline and filter out pollution. In the three years since the prairie was established, chemical treatments haven't been needed, and the pond is thriving.

Asheville Park and Recreation Department, Asheville, N.C.

WHAT WOULD YOU look for in selecting a Gold Medal agency? How about programs that affect every generation? Partnerships that stretch tax dollars and expand access? How about community support so great that volunteers come out of the woodwork to build playgrounds or fund skate parks? And did we mention gorgeous green space that used to be a dumping ground? These are just some of the many reasons why Asheville, N.C., won the 2002 Gold Medal Award for a community with 50,000 to 100,000 citizens.

"Asheville has found creative ways to provide services and beauty to its citizens," says Lose. For example, the French Broad River is Asheville's most prominent natural feature, but for many years it was a dumping ground for debris, and was primarily a commercial base. In the late 1980s, the Asheville Park and Recreation Department partnered with RiverLink and Carolina Power & Light to clean up and improve the riverfront in an effort to revitalize the economic and environmental health of the community. The partnership successfully secured 50 acres of prime riverfront land through gifts, raised more than $5 million, and built two flagship parks and two miles of greenway. "This is the kind of can-do attitude that brings communities together," notes Lose.

Another example of Asheville's make-it-happen attitude is how the community pulled together to build a playground. In just five days, more than 1,000 volunteers working day and night on all kinds of job--including construction, childcare and food service--built a large playground along the riverside. Volunteers were fed three meals and snacks each day from more than $30,000 worth of donated food and supplies from area grocery stores and restaurants. The playground was funded by a $ 100,000 grant from the Janirve Foundation, with many of the tools, equipment and supplies donated or purchased at a significant discount.

Rich in diversity, Asheville has a deep appreciation for the multicultural makeup of its community. The park and recreation department co-sponsors more than 100 special events each year, including large cultural special events such as Fiesta Latina, Goombay, Kawanza, Native American Month, Greek Festival and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration. These outstanding programs encourage crosscultural exchange and expose people to the diverse cultures that make up the Asheville community.

Asheville's Park and Recreation Department coordinates after-school programs to keep youths safe and engaged, and helps youths develop citizenship. Young skateboarders in Asheville not only have a new home to call their own since the Food Lion SkatePark opened last year, but they learned how citizens can affect their community in the process. After being banned from most suitable places to skate, skateboarders approached the Asheville Parks and Recreation Department to request a skateboard park. More than 150 boarders, parents, downtown residents and merchants, along with other city departments including police, risk management, legal and city development, worked together to find a way to make it happen. Asheville found a creative way to help offset the cost of developing a 17,000-square foot skating facility by partnering with the local Food Lion grocery store, which purchased the naming rights to the park for $275,000. The park features three distinct skill levels in the beginner bowl, an intermediate street course and an advanced vertical bowl, surrounded by plenty of spectator seating, concessions and attractive landscaping. The result: a great place for local boarders to develop skills and a community revenue-generator that brings people to Asheville.

The Asheville Park and Recreation Department has the distinction of being the first municipal recreation department to become accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies in conjunction with NRPA.

Greensboro Park and Recreation Department, Greensboro, N.C.

THE GREENSBORO (N.C.) Parks and Recreation Department was awarded the 2002 National Gold Medal Award for communities with 100,000 to 250,000 citizens, in large part because of its team approach and inclusive philosophy.

"We have the most supportive community in the country, and the most dedicated and creative professionals in the business," says Greensboro Parks and Recreation Director Bonnie Kuester. "This combination will always make Greensboro special."

"The Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department put its citizens first. They developed their programs based on their communities dreams, not just on what has happened in the past or what could fit into their current work plan," says Lose.

More than 700 community organizations and 50 public focus groups shared ideas when Greensboro was developing its comprehensive master plan to forecast Greensboro's parks and recreation needs. "A key objective in preparing the plan was to extensively involve the public in helping to identify both current and future recreation needs," says Kuester.

Greensboro's City Arts Cultural Outreach program partners with diverse populations to co-sponsor community festivals and special events, including the African American Heritage Extravaganza, Chinese New Year Performing Arts Festival, Annual Guillford Native American Pow Wow and Cultural Festival, and the Sabor y Cultura Festival. The department reaches out even further by providing conversational Spanish classes to department employees so they can better serve and communicate with their growing Hispanic citizens.

Greensboro has the oldest community youth council in the U.S., and a growing Smith Senior Center to support citizens at the other end of the age spectrum. Greensboro not only has programs for people with disabilities, but through MainStream Resources, has increased access for people with disabilities to traditional recreation programs and classes.

"Our quality of life--our very health and well-being--depends in the most basic way on the protection of nature, the accessibility of open space and recreation opportunities, and the preservation of landmarks that illustrate our historic continuity," says Korfhage. "Greensboro conveys this ethic in its manner of daily operation."

In 1998, Greensboro was challenged by one of the most severe water shortages in its history. In response, the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department immediately partnered with the Greensboro Water Conservation Office to develop and implement a public awareness campaign. Free water-conservation devices, such as low-flow showerheads, toilet flappers and faucet aerators, were distributed to citizens at all local recreation centers. This initiative is but one example of how a high-quality recreation agency extends its outreach and services to all aspects of its community's well-being.

FairFax Park Authority, Fairfax, Va.

HOW WOULD YOU describe a community where 90 percent of the population used its parks and recreation programs, and nearly 75 percent considered their parks essential to their quality of life? How about describing it as having the best park and recreation program in the country for communities with more than 250,000 citizens? Fairfax County Park Authority has been successful because it provides the services its citizens need in an environment they want.

"We are honored to receive this award, which is highly coveted in the world of parks and recreation," says Winnie Shapiro, chairman of the Park Authority Board. "It's a testament to the continued hard work and dedication of everyone involved in making our programs successful and our facilities a wonderful place to be."

"Fairfax County Park Authority has taken a business approach to developing programs and services for its citizens," says Lose. "Using marketing research, they develop programs as the need arises." For example, countywide surveys by George Mason University showed that Fairfax golf participation is almost 50 percent greater than the national average. But according to the National Golf Foundation data, municipal holes per capita in Fairfax were significantly below the national norm. With demand growing and budgets shrinking, the park authority took two forward-thinking steps. First, it built two new courses funded by revenue bonds (the first issued by a stand-alone park and recreation agency to earn an investment rating, thereby saving $1 million in debt services). Second, it partnered with the private sector to build a third upscale course that also includes trails, playgrounds, roadways, a picnic pavilion and parking on 40 adjoining acres--a benefit to all county residents, not just golfers.

Fairfax County looks at the needs and interests of it citizens and provides the services they ask for. For example, data from recent fitness surveys supported the county's internal needs assessment, which found that citizens were shifting from instructor-led group fitness programs to equipment-centered fitness. County resources were directed to expanding and modernizing fitness rooms in seven recreation centers. What's more, old strength training equipment was replaced with machines more adaptable to women, because trend reports indicate that women are participating in strength training at record levels. (Women who strength train reduce their incidence of obesity and osteoporosis, two concerns for county health departments.)

Another prime example of how Fairfax County's parks and recreation programs provide core services for its citizens is the expanded state-licensed summer and spring break camps. More than 73 percent of the county's women work outside the home, and that, combined with a .5- to 14-year-old population segment that grew 21 percent more than the county's overall population, indicated a strong need for high-quality child care. Now thousands of the county's youth have opportunities to learn about nature, develop sports skills, expand their artistic abilities or just have fun, while the county brings in more than $1.7 million in revenue.

While most of Fairfax County's residents earn more than the national average, more than 2,000 citizens are homeless, an increase of more than 12 percent in the last two years. The Fair fax County Park Authority responded with Parks and Community Together, a program that provides summer camp scholarships for children from the county's homeless shelters. Financial support comes from foundations, churches, business and individuals. The program allows children to put aside their troubles and simply be kids, while their parent are free to pursue the means to provide a home again--at work, in training or hunting for a job. "The children benefit in so many ways," explains Jamie Dziak, director of Shelter House, Inc. "They get to attend a camp that their parents could not otherwise afford. This boosts their self-confidence, especially when they return to school."

"The Fairfax Park Authority has provided a strong message to its community: People have to understand that every parcel that isn't saved is going to cost them, both in higher taxes and in a deteriorating lifestyle," says Korfhage.

As the county's largest landholder and principal steward of natural resources, the Fairfax County Park Authority plays a critical role in environmental protection and ecosystem management. Environmental stewardship is a key component of the park authority's strategic plan.

2002 NRPA NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS

"The NRPA awards program brings together some of the newest and most exciting programs and people in parks and recreation," says Jim Donahue, CPRP, the 2002 National Awards Committee Co-Chair and NRPA President-Elect. "Our profession makes an incredible impact on the face of our nation, and this awards program recognizes the best of the best."

NRPA has a national awards program as well as recognition programs, including the Dorothy Mullen National Arts and Humanities Awards, the Kudos Marketing and Communications Awards, and the ROSE Awards to recognize significant efforts. Nominations are due April 15, and the awards are presented at the National Awards Luncheon at the NRPA National Congress & Exposition. For more information go to www.nrpa.org This year in Tampa, 15 national awards were presented.

The National Distinguished Professional Award

This year, two outstanding individuals were given the National Distinguished Professional Award, which is presented to those in the field who, through inspiration, incentive and demonstration of leadership, have made noteworthy contributions to recreation, park and conservation. Dr. Jerold Hover, CPRP, became the director of the Kansas Division of State Parks in 1993. His many responsibilities include identifying, initiating, developing and implementing new and improved outdoor recreation programs and developments using a holistic approach that takes all resources into consideration. He administers an annual operating budget of $11 million and 25 state parks on 60,000 acres of diverse resources. He oversees programs such as the local government Outdoor Recreation Grant Program, local schools' OutReach Program, Statewide Trails Program, Kansas State Parks Outdoor Ameri-Corps program, Kansas Interpretive Program and Friends of Parks Program. He and his wife Becky own and operate the BarH Fish'N Ranch in south central Kansas, which is dedicated to educating youths in fishing and subliminal environmental awareness, interaction and appreciation for natural resources. Last year in his spare time, Hover was president of the National Society for Park Resources branch of NRPA.

The other outstanding professional who was recognized was James Truncer. Truncer has been the Secretary-Director of the Mon-mouth County Park System in New Jersey for 38 years. His responsibilities include planning, land acquisition, developing, organizing, staffing, financing and administering a comprehensive 12,000-acre county park and recreation system in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region, under the direction of a nine-member commission. Mon-mouth County has been recognized as one of the nation's best places to live, and the park system, under Truncer's leadership, is a contributing factor to the distinction. On a national level, Truncer worked to establish the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies and put his own agency through the rigorous process in the first round of review.

The Ralph C. Wilson Award

It was fitting that, in Tampa, Joseph Abrahams was presented (posthumously) with The Ralph C. Wilson Award. This award is given to an individual or organization whose inspiration, incentive, demonstration and leadership have made noteworthy contributions to NRPA. Abrahams was the director of the City of Tampa's Recreation Department when he passed away in May 2002. A professional respected across the county for his commitment to the parks and recreation movement, Abrahams dedicated more than 30 years of his life working in the field. He was a committed NRPA volunteer, and was co-chairing the 2002 NRPA Congress when he passed away.

To honor Abrahams' commitment, the Florida Recreation and Park Association Foundation, Inc., has established the Joe Abrahams Young Professional Scholarship. The purpose of the scholarship is to fund young professionals who wouldn't otherwise be able to attend the NRPA Congress. The scholarship will be targeted at individuals who have been in the field at least five years and are no more than 40 years old. To support the fund, call [phone] or go to www.frpa.org.

The National Humanitarian Award

"Leave it better than you found it" is a mantra for the park and recreation profession. That's exactly what the CLean and Safe Spaces (CLASS) Program has been doing, and why it earned The National Humanitarian Award this year. The National Humanitarian Award is presented to an individual or organization whose concern for and dedication to humanity have been expressed through park, recreation and conservation efforts that have enriched the lives of persons or communities.

The CLASS program was initiated in September 2000 and is operated by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. As a component of the city's Healthy Neighborhood Initiative, which aims to make high-risk areas of the city safer and cleaner, CLASS cleans and refurbishes a new park every 60 days throughout the city. By June 2001, 27 of the 36 parks originally selected were completed. Improved programming for children ages 11 to 15 is the second goal of the program. As a testament to its success, CLASS has enrolled more than 22,000 teens in its Youth Plus teen clubs and has provided over 2,000 activities, including 344 field trips and 57 community health fairs. Ten new parks are undergoing CLASS renovations.

The National Corporate Humanitarian Award

The success of parks and recreation programs is usually based on a public/private partnership. That's what The National Corporate Humanitarian Award recognizes--a corporation or foundation that has made a significant and consistent contribution to the recreation, parks and conservation field by sponsoring, creating or implementing a program, project or series of programs that have advanced the field or opened new opportunities. In 2002, a corporation and a foundation were recognized for their excellence.

The Hershey's Track and Field Youth Program is the longest running grassroots program delivered by park and recreation agencies in North America. For 25 years, the Hershey Food Corporation has shown its commitment to improving the health of children by providing high-quality recreation and school programs where children have fun and are introduced to physical fitness through basic track and field events such as running, jumping and throwing. "Our nation has been truly blessed by the insight of Dr. Donald Cohen, who developed a program to encourage children to pursue their physical best, and for Milton Hershey and the Hershey Foods Corporation for the vision and compassion to fund this outstanding program for 25 years," says NRPA Chair David Lose. More than 400,000 children participate in the program yearly, representing more than 3,000 communities in the U.S. and Canada.

The City of Omaha Department of Parks and Recreation's nomination of The Peter Kiewit Foundation was also selected this year. Over the past five years, the foundation's contribution to Omaha's park and recreational facility has totaled more than $8 million. The foundation has recognized the need for visionary plans and unique facilities and has backed its support with funding. "From large, highly visible projects like the riverfront to small projects like much-needed new playground equipment for a neighborhood park, the Peter Kiewit Foundation has generously helped the city meet its parks and recreation needs," says Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey.

The National Voluntary Service Award

Volunteers are the backbone of many park and recreation programs. They help us with our vision, and they help us with sweat equity. The National Voluntary Service Award is presented to citizens or organization whose voluntary contributions of time and effort have improved the quality and quantity of leisure opportunities through recreation, parks and conservation programs and projects in communities. This year, a nonprofit organization that has supported a trail in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area and an individual who has given an enormous about of time and attention to a community's gardens were recognized.

The Friends of the Washington and Old Dominion Trail was established in 1991 as a citizen-driven organization dedicated to protecting and improving the W&OD Trail. The trail runs from the outskirts of Washington, D.C., in Arlington, Va., for 45 miles to Purcellville, Va. The Friends group has done everything to support the trail from sponsoring programs to planting trees, from lobbying for more lights to purchasing equipment for trail staff. In fact, the trail receives only 20 percent of its budget from the six member jurisdictions it passes through; the rest of their income comes from Friends.

"I was attracted to the South Coast Botanic Garden because it was located on a former landfill," says award winner Richard Kohlschreiber of San Pedro, Calif. "The fact that a place of beauty could be created at a place that could have been a public eyesore appealed to me." Since 1978, Kohlschreiber has volunteered his time, sweat and knowledge to make the garden a community asset. Kohlschreiber's contributions range from serving on the Board of Trustees of the Garden Foundation to serving as president to weeding. "I have always been interested in plants and nature, and have recognized the importance of having green spaces in an urban environment," he adds. Kohlschreiber was also recognized at the Los Angeles County Volunteer of the Year in 2002.

The Robert W. Crawford Young Professional Award

Marc Heirshberg, recreation director for the Ken-Caryl Ranch Metropolitan District in Littleton, Colo., was awarded the Robert W. Crawford Young Professional Award. The Board of Trustees presents this award to a park and recreation professional under the age of 40 who exemplifies the quality of Bob Crawford's singularly innovative and pioneering leadership in planning, developing and programming of a wide variety of creative community leisure opportunities and activities.

"Marc demonstrates on a daily basis that he is able to plan and develop recreation and leisure programs in a creative manner with `thinking outside the box' being the norm rather than the exception," says Darrell Windes, district manager of the Ken-Caryl Ranch Metropolitan District. Ken-Caryl has benefited from Heirshberg's professionalism with the creation of the district's Working Together Guidelines, a streamlined one-page policy and procedure manual. Over the last four years, Heirshberg has planned, organized and resurrected the annual Fall Fest event, a family-oriented event featuring more than 50 free, hands-on activities for people of all ages. This event has grown from 400 participants to more than 7,000. Heirshberg has helped the district streamline business operations by moving the creation of the KCRMD Activity Guide--District Dimensions in-house. His grant writing abilities have yielded more than $100,000 to support the construction of an inline hockey rink, the creation of an inline hockey league and the creation of a teen steel drum orchestra.

The Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt Award for Excellence in Recreation and Park Research

This award is given an individual whose contributions to recreation and park research have significantly advanced the cause of the recreation movement, and whose dedication to the field parallels the same dedication and zeal towards parks, recreation and conservation that was exhibited by the two U.S. presidents for whom the award is named. This year, Dr. David Lime was recognized. He has authored more than 250 technical reports, articles, book chapters, edited proceedings, books and refereed journal articles. His current research includes a variety of social science activities, including park visitor perception studies, development of visitor use monitoring systems, and identification of leisure trend indicators and factors influencing trends.

Lime has received numerous grants and contracts from numerous organizations, including the USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, USGS Biological Resources Division, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wilderness Research Foundation, Legislative Commission for Minnesota Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Extension Service. Currently, he's a senior research associate with the Department of Forest Resources and an adjunct professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul.

The National Congressional Award 

We all need friends in high places, and park and recreation advocates should know they have good friends on Capitol Hill. The National Congressional Award recognizes legislators who are principal sponsors of legislation that would influence public health and wellness or environmental policy through public recreation and parks. The National Congressional Awards will be presented to the winning legislators, who were announced in Tampa, on Feb. 28, 2003, during NRPA's Legislative Forum on Parks and Recreation.

Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.) has a distinguished career as an advocate of environmental stewardship. He is a member of the Committee on Environment and Public Works and is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Control, and Risk Assessment. He is a leading environmental advocate in the Senate. The award recognizes his actions during the 107th Congress which will result in viable economic and environmental outcomes. Through passage of the Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act of 2001, he helped gain authority for grants-in-aid through Fiscal Year 2006 to help clean up contaminated "brownfield" sites and make them accessible for appropriate public use, including greenways and public parks.

Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), a surgeon, is chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Public Health and co-chair of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition. He is a marathon runner and knows firsthand the health values of physical activity. The award recognizes his personal leadership in proposing legislation to address the emerging national health crisis resulting from obesity and overweight. His legislation would make local governments, including public park and recreation agencies, eligible for support to enhance physical activity and improve nutrition locally through the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant funds.

Rep. Norman Dicks (D-Wash.) is one of the House's most influential members on public parks, recreation, historic preservation and similar issues. In September 2000, when the passage of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 701) was blocked by inaction elsewhere, Dicks crafted a new funding proposal--the Federal Lands Conservation Trust--and incorporated it in the FY 2001 Interior appropriations bill. The award recognizes his continuing personal support and his actions to create a trust that has facilitated increasing LWCF state assistance and urban park restoration aid for FY 2002. These increases create the potential for additional funds in FY 2003 and in future years.

Rep. Silvestre Reyes (R-Texas) aggressively supports sustainable state and local park and recreation systems. The award recognizes Reyes' leadership as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which encouraged key legislators to take a proactive position in support of public parks and recreation. The caucus' "Dear Colleague" letter observed that the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program "has played a vital role in the upkeep of our districts' facilities .... Urban parks give families and at-risk youth a place where they can be active in a safe neighborhood environment." NRPA Public Policy Director Barry Tindall observes, "The letter was both critical and timely." Reyes is also actively opposing changes in national environmental policy that would soften existing requirements for carbon dioxide reduction and reduce arsenic levels in drinking water.

Rep. Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.) is committed to enhancing individual health and creating and supporting healthy lifestyles through public recreation facilities and services. He articulates these objectives in congressional and other settings, including the 2002 NRPA National Policy and Legislative Forum. When in Vermont, he meets regularly with local and state recreation and park citizen and professional advocates to learn their concerns and priorities. The award recognizes his development and sponsorship of the proposed Urban and Rural Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Act of 2002. The bill would authorize a five-year, $750 million, grant-in-aid program to aid development, restoration or retrofitting of existing structures to create indoor public health focused recreation centers and services. Its passage and funding will address a serious gap in current disease prevention and health promotion strategies.

"We recognize these leaders for their dedication to parks, recreation and other issues of interest to NRPA," says NRPA Interim Executive Director Robert Hall. "These leaders have been committed to initiating progressive public policy and legislation authorizing grants to hundreds of park and recreation agencies around the nation. We are fortunate that this has been such an exceptional year in that a relatively large number of legislators have done or are working on initiatives so important to the American people."

2002 Dorothy Mullen Arts & Humanities Award Winners

Dorothy G. (Dotti) Mullen was a pioneer in the field of recreation and parks and its many diversified applications. She pursued her many interests with vigor and enthusiasm. Among these pursuits was establishing a program to recognize excellence in arts and humanities programs throughout recreation and leisure. The Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award Program selects national winners from five population classes. The program aims not only to recognize those who demonstrate excellence in art and humanities, but also to inspire others who may be interested in developing similar programs.

Class 1

Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Austin, Texas Heroes Among Us Program

El Paso Parks & Recreation Department, El Paso, Texas Fiesta Caliente

Class 2

Largo Cultural Center, Largo, Fla. Volunteers in the Arts of Largo

Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts City of Hollywood, Fla. Lively Arts Summer Camp Program

Class 3

Redmond Parks and Recreation Department/ Redmond Arts Commission, Redmond, Wash. Arts into Literacy

Ramstein Community Center Ramstein Air Base, Germany Razz-Ma-Tazz Family Theater Group

2002 Kudos Marketing Communication Awards

In an effort to recognize those agencies or departments that best market and communicate the value of recreation to the public, NRPA established the Marketing and Communications Kudos Awards Program.

Best Recreation Catalog

Class 1

Bensenville Park District, Bensenville, III.

Class 2

Foothills Park and Recreation District, Littleton, Colo.

Class 4

Modesto Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department Modesto, Calif.

Best Public Service Announcement

Class 4

Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County, Riverdale, Md.

Best Short Film Promoting Recreation

Class 1

City of Redmond Parks and Recreation, Redmond, Wash.

Class 4

Rhettson T. Langston Buncombe County Parks and Recreation Services Asheville, N.C.

Best Web Site/Homepage

Class 1

City of Redmond Parks and Recreation, Redmond, Wash.

Class 2

Foothills Park and Recreation District, Littleton, Colo.

Class 4

Fox Valley Park District, Aurora, III.

Best Overall Communicator

Class 1

Salisbury Parks and Recreation, Marketing Department, Salisbury, N.C.

Class 2

Bolingbrook Park District, Bolingbrook, III.

Class 4

Milwaukee Recreation Department, Milwaukee, Wis.

2002 Recognition of Significant Efforts (ROSE) Awards

Jo-Ann Callahan

Farmington City Leisure Services-Arts, Farmington, Utah 

H. Boyd Lee

Director of Recreation and Parks, Greenville, N.C.

Cathy B. Santa

Director of Recreation, Parks & Art, Largo, Fla.

Marilyn J. White

CLASS Parks/Youth Plus Director, Los Angeles, Calif.

2002 USTA/NRPA Excellence in Tennis Programming Awards

Class II: 100,000 to 250,000

Tallahassee (Flas.) Parks and Recreation Department

Class IV: 20,000 to 50,000

University City (Mo.) Parks and Recreation

Class V. Cities under 20,000

Park City (Utah) Racquet Club.

RELATED ARTICLE: Gold Medal Action.

Judges for the 2002 Gold Medal Awards are nationally recognized authorities in the field of park and recreation management. They are: Chairperson Richard Zavala, Parks and Community Services Department, Fort Worth, Texas; Ellen O'Sullivan, Leisure Ufestyle Consulting, Giastonbury, Conn.; Steven Messerli, Lake County Forest Preserve District, Libertyville, Ill.; Chris Jarvi, Director of Community Services, Anaheim, Calif.; and Bertha Cato, College of Health and Human Services, Gainesville, Fla.

The National Sporting Good Association's Sports Foundation is a nonprofit membership organization founded to stimulate interest in the development of new recreational activities and facilities and to encourage participation in sports. It established the National Gold Medal Awards Program for park and recreation management in 1965. The deadline for applying for the 2003 awards is Jan. 15. For more information, go to www.nsga.org or call Paul Prince at 847-296-6742.

Susan Kalish is NRPA's director of communications.