MRPA Professional Award Categories

2024 Call for Nominations Now Open!

Click here to be directed to the professional awards nominations form.

Clifton E. French Distinguished Services Award: Individuals nominated must be a professional member of the MRPA who has provided long and outstanding service to the parks and recreation field and to the MRPA.  This nominee must have 20 plus years of professional experience. This is the highest professional award given by the MRPA to one of its members.

Nelson-Niles Award:  MRPA encourages a welcoming and inclusive environment. Therefore, in 2023, MRPA combined the historical Dorothea Nelson and Jack Niles award categories into one non-gendered category called the Nelson-Niles Award. The goal is to retain the names of the industry pioneers for whom the awards are named, while encouraging an inclusive environment and process for all. This award is open to all members with more than 10 years of professional experience. Up to two awards will be presented annually based on the scoring process.

Horizon Award: Individuals nominated must be a professional member of MRPA with eight years or less of professional experience. They must be an “up and coming” professional and an active contributor to MRPA and the profession who has great leadership skills.

Dr. Gerald B. Fitzgerald Leadership Award: Individuals nominated must be a member of MRPA. They have worked tirelessly to advance the profession by making a difference in people’s lives, without being in the spotlight or gaining significant acknowledgment, but with steadfast grace and passion. They show passion for and commitment to the profession of parks, recreation, and leisure services throughout their career.

Tommy Johnson Award: The Awards Committee will select one “Award of Excellence” project or initiative to receive the “Tommy Johnson Award.” The successful “Award of Excellence” project or initiative will best exemplify the characteristics and values that Tommy Johnson was known for; innovation, futuristic, revolutionary and/or creative with ideas and initiatives that help establish future trends, philosophical change, sharing of new resources and new exciting concepts.

Legislative Award: This award is intended to recognize legislators for outstanding contributions at the state or federal level on behalf of parks and recreation.

Park and Recreation Board/Commission Award: This award is given to one member of a citizen’s advisory or policy-making board in the parks and recreation field.