City of Athens, OH
11/19/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 11/19/2024 12:45
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association has announced its 2024 Annual Awards of Excellence winners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2024
OPRA Contact: Woody Woodward
Executive Director
614.895.2222
City of Athens Contact: Katherine Ann Jordan, PhD
Director, Athens Arts, Parks and Recreation
740.592.3325
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) has announced its 2024 Annual Awards of Excellence winners, and a number of local agencies have been recognized.
Locally, the City of Athens Arts, Parks and Recreation Department won a 3rd place award in the Community Events category for the Uptown Family Friendly Halloween Block Party.
The Uptown Family Friendly Halloween Block Party began in 2022 and sought to create a space for the Athens Community to enjoy Family Friendly Halloween festivities uptown. The Arts, Parks and Recreation Department hosts the Family Friendly Block Party and works with various volunteers, community organizations, the Athens Police Department, and the Athens Fire Department to create an afternoon filled with fun activities, games, and entertainment, all for free. Behind the scenes, the City's electricians, streets crews, administrative support staff, custodial staff, police officers, fire staff, and more work tirelessly to support the Halloween Block Party festivities all day and all night. "Our Family Friendly Halloween Block Party wouldn't be possible without the expansive City-wide effort it takes to plan and implement an event like this. I would like to thank Mayor Patterson, the Arts, Parks, and Recreation team, and all City Staff who come together to create such an amazing event for our community," said Arts, Parks and Recreation Director, Katherine Ann Jordan.
The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on February 4, 2025 at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio. One first place award winner will be presented with the 2024 Governor's Award for Parks and Recreation, a "best-in-show" award which includes a $500 contribution to the parks and recreation foundation of the agency winner.
"Parks and recreation professionals throughout Ohio work every day to improve the quality of life of the people they serve," said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. "This effort is a shining example of that kind of work, and we are pleased to be able to present this award."
The awards are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio.
Incorporated in 1963, OPRA is a non-profit, public interest organization representing over 2000 professionals and citizen board members striving to provide quality parks and recreation facilities and opportunities for all Ohioans while protecting and preserving Ohio's natural resources, positively impacting local economies and health and wellness of its citizens.