Essential Service Awards – special recognition in the following categories:
• Education – Staff/Board Training and Awareness in recognition of Indy Parks Staff Retreat and Customer Service PARKS. PARKS is an acronym which stands for Please and Thank You, A+ Attitude, React, Respond, Resolve, Know It! Own it!, Sensational Service with a Smile.
• Most Creative – Special Recognition of “Good to Great” acknowledges Broad Ripple Park Manager Kathy Fitzgerald’s special practices to introduce new programming and increase attendance.
• Health and Fitness – Indy Parks’ Fitness and Nutrition program, led by health specialist Jean Deeds, provided resources to more than 1,000 children during an eight-week summer program. The program was funded by grants in partnership with the Indianapolis Parks Foundation to address health issues facing children by teaching them the value of combining nutritious food with healthful activities.
Outstanding Facility – an award of notable building and recreation complexes completed in 2010 divided by price category.• $0 - $250,000: The Ornithology Center at Eagle Creek Park• $250,000 - $500,000: LaShonna Bates Indoor Aquatic Center• $500,000 - $750,000: Thatcher Indoor Aquatic Center
Outstanding Special Projects – an award of progressive or interesting concepts for energy conservation, creative financing plans, and management techniques.• Energy Conservation: Aquatics Investment – Indy Parks invested $6.5 million to fix leaking pipes and decaying infrastructure of its pools system, which had been losing nearly 35 million gallons of water each season.
5-Star Rating - Starfish Aquatics Institute
Garfield Park Senior Manager Lynda Burrello Inducted into the Indianapolis Public School Hall of Fame
5-Star Rating - Starfish Aquatics Institute StarReview, evaluation of lifeguard competency and performance in Prevention, Surveillance, Emergency care, Aquatic rescue, Professionalism and personal safety.
Host agency for the 2007 National Recreation and Park Association Congress & Exposition, September 25-29, Indianapolis, IN.
Finalist, National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, awarded by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
Tree City USA
Excellence in Youth Sports Award, presented by the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) and Athletic Business magazine, honoring outstanding organizations nationwide that do superior jobs of conducting diverse activities with a focus on providing safe and positive experiences for all participants – including children, parents, coaches and officials. Finalist, National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, awarded by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
Indy Parks Director Joseph Wynns honored by the Indiana Sports Corporation and the Indiana Black Expo receiving the 2006 Rev. Charles Williams Award for his outstanding service to youth
Indy Parks Director Joseph Wynns named President-Elect of American Academy of Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA)Millennium Trail Designation – Federal Trails Program – Monon Rail Trail
Major Taylor Velodrome hosted the 2005 U.S. Masters Track Cycling Championships
Canal Tow Path Greenway named "Top 10 Trails" by Fitness Magazine (July 2005)
The AARP listed the Central Canal Towpath in the Top 4 "Hikeable and Likable" destinations nationwide
Eagle Creek Reservoir was the site of the NCAA Rowing National Championships
Indy Parks Director Joseph Wynns named to the Board of Trustees of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
Indianapolis selected as the Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Sportstown for the state of Indiana
American Hiking Society & Dupont Cordura, Honorable Mention -Indy GreenwaysNational Excellence in Aquatics Award from National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) for demonstrated excellence in planning and managing diversified aquatic services in cities with a population over 650,000 people
Received national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and recreation Agencies (CAPRA)
Platinum Award, Ellis Lifeguard and Associates for exceptional lifeguarding operation
National Geographic Kodak Award: Outstanding Achievement Indy Parks GreenwaysIndianapolis Monthly Best Walking Trail: White River WapahaniTree City USA
The Monon Trail listed as one of the top 10 Local Secrets, Big Finds in Indiana by Travelocity.com
Indianapolis Women's Choice Award: favorite bicycle path- Monon TrailNational Recreation Trail Award: Monon, Pleasant Run, Central Canal, and White River Greenways
National Recreation and Parks Association
Indiana Parks and Recreation Association