Nominate someone today for a 2025 Award!
Click here to review the award criteria
Click here to view past award recipients
Questions? Contact Awards Committee Chair Lisa Thompson at lisa.thompson@biddefordmaine.org
2024 Award Winners!
2024 “William V. Haskell” Distinguished Professional
of the Year Award Winner
Nicole Welch, Lewiston Recreation Director
Picture: Lewiston City Administrator Heather Hunter and Nicole Welch, Lewiston Recreation Director
“William V. Haskell” Distinguished Professional of the Year Award
William V. Haskell served the MRPA from its inception and was director of the Presque Isle Parks and Recreation Department from 1946-1981.
- Employment History/Experience: The nominee should have a minimum of ten years working within the Recreation Field and at least a three-year period should have been within the state of Maine.
- Education and Certification: The candidate should have a degree in Recreation, or a related field. Additional consideration will be given to those professionals who have earned higher degrees and/or who have become certified in Parks & Recreation or Therapeutic Recreation.
- Professional Affiliation: Candidates must maintain membership in the MRPA. Any additional affiliations, such as NRPA, will hold value.
- Leadership Contribution: Candidates should display qualities of leadership in MRPA and/or NRPA by serving on the Executive Board or by making other professional contributions such as a committee chairperson or committee member.
- Administrative & Program Development: Candidate should have demonstrated outstanding performance on a community level, through innovative programming, facility development and civic involvement
- Learn More about William Haskell
Recent Winners
2023 – Mark Stevens (Lisbon Recreation), 2022 – Jen DeRice (Standish Parks & Recreation), 2021 – Robin Cogger (York Parks & Recreation), 2020 – Hillary Hallett (Eastern Recreation), 2019 – Lisa Thompson (Wescustogo Hall & Community Center), 2018 – Karyn MacNeill (Yarmouth), 2017- Debbie Gendreau (Bangor), 2016 – Denise LeBlanc (Skowhegan), 2015 – Linda Brooks (Standish), Tina LeBlanc (Wells), Lucky D’Ascanio (Falmouth), Steve Balboni (Bath), Marcel Blouin (Sanford), Tracy Willette (Bangor), Deb Smith (South Portland), Michael Martin (Brewer), Doug Beck (Auburn), Eric Seekins (Oakland), Marie Carmichael (Houlton), Don Brewer (Portland), Cindy Hazelton (Gorham), Mike Boies (Woodland), Pam LeDuc (Topsham), Dr. Bill Eckart (UMaine Machias), Norm Poirer (Orono), Ken Hanscom (Brewer), Jim Toner (Waterville), Marcia Noyes (Yarmouth)
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2024 “Dr. Bill Eckart” Young Professional Award Winner
Kelsey Coyne, Deputy Director, Windham Parks and Recreation Department
Picture: Windham Parks and Recreation Director Linda Brooks, Windham Deputy Director Kelsey Coyne
“Dr. Bill Eckart” Young Professional Award
Dr. William Eckart retired from the University of Maine at Machias in 2011 after 31 years as Professor of Recreation Management. During his tenure, he built the program into one of the most respected programs in the country, and it was Maine’s only nationally accredited recreation degree program. Dr. Eckart was an active member of MRPA, serving as Treasurer on the Board of Directors, spearheading the professional certification program, and managing membership.
- Employment History/Experience: The nominee should have minimum of three years working within the Recreation Field and at least a two-year period should have been within the state of Maine, with no more than ten years experience.
- Education: The candidate should have a degree in the field of Recreation, or a related field. Additional consideration will be given to those professionals who have become certified in Parks & Recreation or Therapeutic Recreation.
- Professional Affiliation: Candidates must maintain membership in MRPA. Any additional affiliations will hold value.
- Program Development: Candidates should have demonstrated outstanding performance on a community level through innovative programming, partnerships and civic involvement.
- Professional Involvement: Candidates should exhibit networking skills, and be involved with local and regional recreational issues and committees within MRPA.
Recent Winners
2023 – Alyssa Clark (Lewiston Recreation), 2022 – Brady Lloyd (Sanford Parks & Recreation), 2021 – Amelia Meier (Saco Parks & Recreation), 2020 – Gary Collello (Bridgton Recreation), 2019 – Erica Dube (Saco Parks & Recreation), 2018 – Tyler Stewart (Old Orchard Beach), 2017 – Jason Hanken (Lewiston). 2016 – Nicole Welch (Old Orchard Beach), 2015 – Julio Santiago (Gorham) Sabrina Best (South Portland), Anthony Johnson (Freeport), Kate Harris (Falmouth), Angela O’Connor (Kennebunkport), Tammy Leger (Kennebunk), Alan Grady (Gorham), Shelly Abbott (Hampden), Jen DeRice (So. Portland), Lucky D’Ascanio (Falmouth), Lisa Thompson (So Portland)
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2024 Facility of Merit Award: York Parks and Recreation Department,
Parking and Restrooms at Mount Agamenticus
Picture: Ben Jankowski, Robin Kerr, Parks & Recreation Director Pete Murray
Facilities of Merit Award
- A significant recreation facility established within the last two years
- Shows the project overview, design, plan, and priority of need
- Demonstrates an increase in recreational opportunities – including types of uses
- Local commitment to the project
- Accessibility to users
- Demonstrates innovation and creativity
Recent Winners
2023 – No Nominations, 2022 – Cornelia Warren Four Season Rink (Westbrook), Riverwoods Preserve (Yarmouth), Scarborough HUB (Scarborough), 2021 – Auburn Senior Center (Auburn), 2020 – The Bangor Municipal Golf Course (Bangor), The Wescustogo Community Center (North Yarmouth), Kennebunkport Parks & Recreation Community Center (Kennebunkport), 2019- Bath Pump Track (Bath) & Bangor Pickleball Courts (Bangor), 2018 – Zorach Fountain (Bath) & John H Rich Jr. & Doris Rich Memorial Beach (Standish), 2017 – Sargent Family Community Center (Presque Isle), 2017 – Bog Road Athletic Complex (York), 2017 – Broad Cove Reserve (Cumberland), Donnabeth Lippman Park (Windham), Mason-Motz Center (Falmouth), “Just for Kids” Community Playgrouond (Houlton), The Waterhouse Center (Kennebunk), Westbrook Community Center (Westbrook), Wainwright Rec. Complex (South Portland), Johnson Field (Standish), Bangor Waterfront (Bangor), Yarmouth Westside Trail (Yarmouth), Bangor Armory (Bangor),The Ballpark (Old Orchard Beach), Saco Community Center (Saco), Gorham Municipal Center (Gorham)
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2024 Citizen Volunteer of the Year: Camden Goddard, Auburn Recreation Department
Picture: Camden Goddard and Sara Parker, Recreation Specialist, Auburn Recreation Department
Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award
- Contributes to the well-being of recreation within the State of Maine
- A community volunteer who supports the development and creation of recreation programs, facilities or services
- Is not a paid employee of a department
- Length of involvement at the local, multi-town, or state level
- Diversity of involvement, contributions, and achievements
- Letters of support from the community
- Civic involvement
- Moral character
Recent Winners
2023 – Kat Hardju (Bridgton), 2022 – Art Dillon (Scarborough), 2021 – Joe McKenney (Biddeford), 2020 – Ron St. Pierre and David Mansfield (Bangor), 2019 – Lawrence Kovacs (Bath), 2018 – Jamie Dorr (Bath), 2017 – Lynn Hynes (Yarmouth), 2016 – Matt Libby (Bath), Rob Washburn (Skowhegan), Kenny Fickett (Gorham), Ted Hellier (South Portland), Sharri MacDonald & Linda Mailhot (Old Orchard Beach), David Lindemann (Hampden), Keith Gray (Yarmouth), Matthew Schilmoeller (Orono)
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2024 Outstanding Parks Professional Award Winner
No Nominations 2024
Outstanding Parks Professional Award
- Employment History/Experience: The nominee should have a minimum of 10 years working full time in the parks and/or facilities profession and at least a five-year period should have been within the State of Maine.
- Education: Priority is given to candidates with a degree in Parks & Recreation, or a related field.
- Additional consideration will be given to those professionals who have become certified in Parks & Recreation (CPRP), Sports Field Management (CSFM), Horticulture (CPH) or certification in related field.
- Professional Affiliation: Candidates must maintain membership in MRPA. Any additional affiliations will hold value.
- Professional Involvement: Distinctive leadership as a parks manager, support staff crew leader, park supervisor, or park ranger in which his/her dedicated service has advanced the organization’s mission or vision.
Recent Winners
2023 – Robert McDonald (Wiscasset), 2022 – Barry Alden (Raymond), 2021 – Kevin Bailey (Windham), 2020 John “Linky” Erskine (South Portland), 2019 – Jay Astle (Brunswick), 2018 – John Kelley (Bangor), 2017 – Rick, Perruzzi (South Portland), 2016 -Zac Wiest (Yarmouth)
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Katahdin Award
Selected by the MRPA Board of Directors and presented to a Maine elected official or other Maine citizen (serving at the local, state or federal level) who, through their support of park and recreation services or policies at the Local, State or National level, has significantly enhanced the lives of the people of the State of Maine.
Recent Winners
Senator Olympia Snowe, Senator Susan Collins