What is the judging process? The agency & professional submissions will be judged by the Awards Committee which consists of a representative from each district in the state of Kentucky. The top scorer in each KRPS class size if applicable will receive an award. Ties will be broken by the awards committee. Notifications to award winners will be made no later than two weeks before conference. All entries will receive a summary of the judging sheet and comments after conference is held.
**One outstanding department, outstanding state park and facility award will be given each year to a park and recreation department or agency in the following classes: Class I: 5 or less Full Time Employees Class II: 6-10 Full Time Employees Class III: 11-19 Full Time Employees Class Iv: 20+ Full Time Employees
Facility Awards: Recognizes an indoor or outdoor facility that offers a unique enhancement to the quality of life in the field of recreation and leisure service within a community. Program Awards: One or more outstanding program awards may be given annually for an outstanding program, project, activity, or event. Department: Recognizes an outstanding Kentucky Recreation Department who has contributed to the quality of life in their community through programming, facilities, and community engagement. State Park Awards: Recognizes an outstanding Kentucky State Park who has contributed to the quality of life in their community through programming, facilities, and community engagement.
Fellow Award- Recognizes a professional recreation leader who has dedicated interest in the profession or the field of leisure The Special Citation Award: Recognizes individuals and private industry or agencies that have given outstanding help or aid in the field of recreation or leisure time pursuits. Presidential Citation: Recognizes an individual who has helped or been the most supportive to the President during his/her term. Award also given and is only nominated by the KRPS president and approved by the awards committee. Young Professional Award:Recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions to the profession. Professional of the Year Award: Recognizes a practicing recreation professional for outstanding contributions to the profession with more than 5 years’ experience with distinctive leadership in the field and meritorious service to our profession The Hall of Fame: Reserved for any professional or special individual who has made outstanding, unique, lasting and extraordinary contributions to the parks and recreation progress in Kentucky. The Communication Award: Recognizes entities and their involvement with publishing outstanding articles, programs, and coverage in the field of parks and recreation. The David Lose Partnership Award: Presented to an agency, organization or individual that has developed and/or established a successful partnership or relationship to significantly help advance and impact the cause of the parks and recreation movement and whose dedication to the field parallels the same dedication and zeal towards parks, recreation and conservation that was exhibited by David Lose. Public Official Award: Recognizes a current federal, state or local official who has contributed significantly to the benefit of parks, recreation, leisure services and open space programs.
Student Awards-
Dr. Alton Little scholarship: Awarded for a student majoring in Leisure Studies, Recreation and/or Park Curriculum. Must be a KRPS member since January. Click Here to Download a Scholarship Application Outstanding College/University Senior-Recognizes a senior in college that shows outstanding leadership in the profession. Click Here to Nominate a Student
The David Lose Partnership Award, established 2018 This award is presented to an agency/organization/individual that has developed and/or established a successful partnership/relationship to significantly help advance and impact the cause of the parks and recreation movement and whose dedication to the field parallels the same dedication and zeal towards parks, recreation, and conservation that was exhibited by David Lose after whom the award is named.
Professional Award Submissions can be sent by email to krpsawards@gmail.com or by mail to: Shelby County Parks, 717 Burks Branch Road, Shelbyville, KY 40065
KRPS Hall of Fame Members
Recognizing and honoring professionals and special individuals who have made an outstanding, unique, lasting, and extraordinary contribution to recreation and park progress in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
2008 (Northern Kentucky) Alton Little Ken Hund John McClelland Rita Stosberg Tom Knepshield, Sr. John Gettler
2009 (Louisville, KY) Jo Verner Sherrill Brakmier Debbie Zielinski Fred Henson William "Biff" Kummer
2010 (Cadiz, KY) Marion Ogden James "Jim" McChesney Dorothy Large Chuck Crume