Awards & Recognition

For the Professional Award of Merit, George Wilson Service Award, and Young Professional of the Year Award, please send your nomination(s) to [email protected] with the nominee’s name, title, department, and 1 or 2 sentences why they are deserving of the Award. There is no nomination form. The WPRA Office will reach out to the nominee for their support materials.

For the Partnership Award, Fellowship Award, and the Elected Official Award, please submit their name and full support materials pertaining to why the individual/organization/etc. should be considered for the award. There is no nomination form. Submit your nomination(s) to [email protected].

2024 Award Recipients

Professional Award of Merit 

This is the highest professional award given by Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association (WPRA) to a current or retired active Association member. The nominee MUST hold current professional certification by the National Recreation and Park Association as a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) or comparable certifications will be considered by the Awards Committee in lieu of the CPRP requirement. Nominees must have at least 15 years of continuous active membership in WPRA and Park and Recreation industry as a whole. Nominees are judged on specific accomplishments and service performed for the WPRA and the leisure services profession. Recipients of the Professional Award of Merit are not eligible for the George Wilson Service Award. 

Categories used in choosing the Professional Award of Merit Recipient: 

• WPRA Involvement – Board of Directors, Section Board, Committee involvement 
• Job Performance and Professional Accomplishments 
• Professional Awards/Recognition 

George Wilson Service Award

Dr. George T. Wilson was the Assistant Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), overseeing the Division of Municipal Recreation and Adult Education from 1967-1976. He served MPS in various roles for a total of 40 years.  Dr. George was a true servant to the Wisconsin Parks & Recreation Association and was one of its founding members.  He served in many roles within the Association, and was a true pioneer in the parks and recreation field.  Dr. George was instrumental in the development and implementation of Therapeutic Recreation services in Milwaukee, and believed in the importance of providing equal access to parks and recreation services to all, regardless of ability. This was all decades before the American With Disabilities Act was established in 1990. Dr. George served as President of the Wisconsin Recreation Association (1948) and the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association (1971).  He was the recipient of the WPRA Professional Award of Merit (1976), the Honorary Fellowship Award (1988) and the George T. Wilson Service Award (1997), which was named in his honor.

This award is presented to current or retired WPRA members who have distinguished themselves through persistent accomplishment and continuous service to the State Association. The nominee MUST hold current professional certification by the National Recreation and Park Association as a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) or held this certification immediately preceding their retirement. Comparable certifications will be considered by the Awards Committee in lieu of the CPRP requirement. Nominees must have at least ten (10) years of continuous active membership in WPRA and Park and Recreation industry as a whole. Recipients of the Professional Award of Merit are not eligible for the George Wilson Service Award. 

Guidelines for selecting The George Wilson Service Award: 

• WPRA Involvement – Board of Directors, Section Board, Committee involvement, etc
• WPRA Student Advisor
• WPRA Special Events & Activities
• Contributor to IMPACT, PRMonthly, other WPRA writings
• Other Professional Contributions and Accomplishments which highlight WPRA service, or identify the nominee as a WPRA member

Partnership Award (Agency)

This is the highest award bestowed by the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association to a private or non-profit agency or organization in recognition of their outstanding contribution to Parks and Recreation in Wisconsin. The project/achievement should demonstrate cooperative efforts with other organizations in meeting their intended goals. The impact of their contribution should be of major significance to the local community or go beyond the local community. 

When submitting a nomination, please include any supporting materials for the nomination. 

Fellowship Award

This is the highest award bestowed by the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association to recognize individuals that are not members of WPRA and who have made outstanding achievements or contributions to the parks and recreation movement. The impact of their contribution should be of major significance to the local community or go beyond the local community. 

When submitting a nomination, please include any supporting materials for the nomination. 

Elected Official Award

This is the highest award bestowed by the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association to recognize elected officials who have demonstrated significant contributions and support to our communities. This award recognizes the Elected Official’s leadership in supporting the development of community projects, programs, special events and budget initiatives. 

When submitting a nomination, please include the nominee’s position, background, issues addressed or projects pursued, and the impact made on the community.  

Young Professional of the Year Award

This award was established in 2001 recognizing one outstanding young professional from each section for their exemplary work early in their career. In 2020, this award was amended to select one young professional from all the sections combined who stood out over the rest. In 2023, the award is now recognized as one of the Association Awards that are voted on and overseen by the WPRA Awards Committee. This award will be presented to a WPRA member who is currently working as either a full-time or permanent part-time professional in the field, with seven or less years of service. (May be in Aquatic, Park or Recreation Section). They are driven, passionate for the profession, and show early promise to be an influential leader in the field. 

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award is presented to retired employees who have been a member of WPRA a minimum of 10 years immediately-prior to their retirement. Please inform the WPRA Office or a member of the Awards Committee as soon as you make that big decision so that we can give proper recognition for your years of dedicated service to your job, profession and Association. 

Service Recognition Award

These awards are presented to WPRA members at 10 and 25 years of service in the profession. To receive a Service Award, an individual must be a current WPRA member to be eligible. These award categories are not retroactive. Award recipients will be listed in the PRMonthly and recognized at the Annual Awards Banquet. If you have any questions, call the WPRA Office. 

Aquatic Section Awards

Aquatic Section Professional of the Year: The Outstanding Aquatic Professional of the year will be presented to a WPRA Aquatic Section member who is currently working as either a full-time or permanent part-time professional in the field, with more than seven years of service. 

Outstanding Facility Design/Renovation: All aquatic facilities being submitted must have been designed/renovated within five years of the year of submittal. 

Park Section Awards

Park Section Professional of the Year: The Parks Section Outstanding Professional of the Year will be presented to a WPRA Park Section member who is currently working as either a full-time or permanent part-time professional in the field, with more than ten years of service. 

1. Innovation - provides a new approach to problem solving, exhibits new technology. 
2. Functionalism - responds to users needs, accessibility for all populations. 
3. Aesthetics - proper scale is achieved for site, relationship to surroundings, considers the overall site development. 
4. Community Benefits - responds to identified needs of public, public input on project, improves image of community. 
5. Environmental Stewardship - use of recycled materials, mechanics which are environmentally compatible (solar, low volume flush, high pressure sodium bulbs) use of native plant materials. 
6. Maintenance - considers ease of maintaining, durability of materials, minimize need for special equipment or special tasks, safety of maintaining site. 

Recreation Section Awards