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Awards

Award submissions are now open for excellence in 2025! Award recipients will be announced at the Awards Banquet on October 27. 2026 at the VRPS Annual Conference in Richmond.

For 2025 Awards (to be announced at the 2026 Annual Conference), the submission process be managed by VRPS' previous member website. If you have any issues logging in or submitting, please contact VRPS.

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Awards at Annual Conference

VRPS membership is a requirement in order to submit an application and be considered for 2025 VRPS Awards, to be presented at the 2026 Virginia Recreation and Park Society Annual Conference on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

Eligibility and Submission Criteria - READ BEFORE SUBMITTING A Nomination



Awards categories include:

  • Fellows Award

  • Outstanding New Professional

  • Distinguished Service

  • Distinguished Volunteer Service

  • Distinguished Private Sector Service

  • Best New Program

  • Best New Special Event

  • Best New Facility (Bricks and Mortar)

  • Best New Facility (Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways or Trails)

  • Best New Renovation/Addition (Bricks and Mortar)

  • Best New Renovation (Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways or Trails)

  • Best New Environmental Sustainability

  • Most Creative Marketing Strategy

  • Most Creative Marketing Piece

  • Snapshot Moment

  • Best Health and Wellness Initiative

  • Best New DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Initiative

Previous Winners

PAST FELLOWS AWARD RECIPIENTS, 1964 TO PRESENT

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

See link below to reference document, for a complete description of the awards categories and judging criteria.


Eligibility and Submission Criteria - READ BEFORE SUBMITTING A Nomination

Awards Committee

  • Leslie Bowery, CPRP CPSI
    Facility Suoerintendant Clarke County Parks & Recreation
    Co-Chair
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  • Tracy Newsom
    Tracy Newsom, CTRS, CPRP
    Therapeutic Recreation Program Coordinator III James City County Parks & Recreation
    Co-Chair
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Member

  • Mackenzie Dodds, CPRP, CPSI
    Parks and Recreation Manager Campbell County Parks & Recreation
    Member
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  • Allen Dunn
    Allen Dunn, CPRP
    Aquatics Manager PWCS Aquatics Center
    Member
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  • Julie Frederickson, CPRP
    Fitness & Wellness Section Manager Fairfax County Park Authority
    Member
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  • Kim Graves
    Manager of Aging and Disability Respurces Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation
    Member
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  • Rebecca Johnson, M.Ed., CPRP
    Special Events Supervisor Hopewell Recreation & Parks
    Member
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  • Katie MacCammon, CPRP
    Recreation Manager City of Fairfax Parks & Recreation
    Member
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  • Nilay Patel
    Recreation Manager Henrico Recreation & Parks
    Member
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  • Patrick Aragon
    Member
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  • Justin Price, CPRP
    Director of Parks and Recreation
    Member
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  • Roberto Ramos
    Recreation Specialist I Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
    Member
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  • Rachel Smith, CPRP
    Tourism Director
    Member
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  • Shamar D Young
    Deputy Director, Parks & Cemeteries Richmond Parks, Recreation, & Community Facilities
    Member
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