Park & Recreation Agency Excellence Recognized at Annual Conference

La Grange – On January 28, 2021, during the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Virtual Conference, the Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) honored several park and recreation agencies for excellence in the following areas:

Exceptional Workplace Award
The Exceptional Workplace Award recognizes park and recreation agencies that have gone above and beyond to identify and achieve a high level of health and wellness for their employees.

o Batavia Park District
o Downers Grove Park District
o Waukegan Park District

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

Outstanding Park & Facility Overall Winner: Glenview Park District, Glenview Community Ice Center Renovation

Outstanding Park Division II         Naperville Park District 95th Street Community Plaza
Outstanding Facility Division I Wood Dale Park District The Woodlands at White Oaks Park
Outstanding Facility Division II Glenview Park District The Grove Interpretive Center Renovation

Outstanding Program & Special Event Award
Outstanding Program & Special Event Awards are to honor public agencies for outstanding and unique achievements in program development and implementation and special event planning.

Outstanding Program & Special Event Overall Winner: Waukegan Park District, Virtual Shoebox American Independence Parade

Outstanding Program Division II Glenview Park District Feeding Glenview
Outstanding Special Event Division I M-NASR Spirit End-of-Summer Party
Outstanding Special Event Division II Geneva Park District Escape the Mansion

A complete list of Award winners is available on the IPRA website, ILipra.org.

The IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference is the premier state conference for parks and recreation, forest preserves and conservation agencies in Illinois. In 2021, the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference went virtual – bringing together park and recreation professionals and elected officials for three exciting days of quality educational programming, networking, and professional development.

Established in 1944, the Illinois Park and Recreation Association’s mission is to provide and promote exceptional standards of education, networking, and resources for all professionals in the Illinois park, recreation, and conservation communities. For more information about IPRA, its board and mission, please visit the IPRA website: ILipra.org