June 29, 2012 - Parks and Recreation Department receives 2012 National Parks and Recreation Association Award for Excellence in Inclusion

Contacts:
Jennifer Bray, Parks and Recreation, 303-441-4160
Sarah Huntley, Media Relations, 303-441-3155
www.bouldercolorado.gov 

Parks and Recreation Department receives 2012 National Parks and Recreation Association Award for Excellence in Inclusion

The Boulder Parks and Recreation Department was recently selected to receive the National 2012 Excellence in Inclusion Award-Agency Award by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). NRPA will present the award publicly at a special reception at the association’s 2012 Congress & Exposition in Anaheim, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 17. 

The Excellence in Inclusion Award recognizes organizations and programs that have rendered significant service to the inclusion process. The award highlights the efforts in providing inclusive opportunities to children, youth and adults with disabilities. The Boulder Parks and Recreation Department was chosen primarily because of the efforts of its Exciting Programs Adventures and New Dimensions (EXPAND) program, which helps people who have disabilities improve and gain new recreation and leisure skills that will enhance participants' overall well-being and their quality of life.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition from NRPA,” said Kirk Kincannon, director of the Boulder Parks and Recreation Department. “The staff that work in our EXPAND program are dedicated passionate people and this award exemplifies our department’s commitment to inclusion and opportunity.”

Each year, NRPA National Awards are presented to individuals and agencies across the U.S. to honor their efforts, both professional and personal, in the field of parks and recreation.  Recipients are selected from a pool of applicants by NRPA’s National Forum Awards Committee, and are chosen for excellence in a variety of topics including: professional and voluntary service, programming, leadership, research and public outreach.

“NRPA is pleased to honor our nation’s park and recreation heroes, agencies and individuals who work tirelessly and with passion to improve the lives of their citizens and make their communities great,” said Barbara Tulipane, chief executive officer of NRPA.

For more information call Jennifer Bray, Parks and Recreation, at 303-441-4160.

The National Recreation and Park Association is a national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 20,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.

For more information, visit www.NRPA.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrec-magazine.org.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 10 July 2012 10:38