FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 14, 2018
Contact: Carrie Dittman, Centerville-Washington Park District, cdittman@cwpd.org
Subject: Centerville-Washington Park District wins OPRA Award
CENTERVILLE, OH: Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) has announced its 2018 Annual Awards of Excellence winners. The Centerville-Washington Park District won a first place award in the programs for special populations category for Adapted Action Day, a new event held at Oak Grove Park this summer.
Adapted Action Day was planned for individuals with special needs and their families. The event was created to demonstrate that recreational activities can be for everyone. The day’s activities included fishing, archery, kickball, biking and crafts – all adapted for inclusivity. Synergy Family Therapy provided volunteer support, communication with local families and games on the day of the event. GreeneBucs brought their adaptive bicycles for children to try. Several University of Dayton Physical Therapy Doctoral Program students volunteered their time to make the event a success.
“It was thrilling to watch participants shoot a bow, catch their very first fish, and even ride a bike designed just for their abilities,” said Centerville-Washington Park District Program Manager Kristen Marks. “We are looking forward to hosting the second annual Adapted Action Day in July 2019.”
The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on February 5, 2019 at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio. One first place award winner will be presented with the 2018 Governor’s Award for Parks and Recreation, a “best-in-show” award.
“Parks and recreation professionals throughout Ohio work every day to improve the quality of life of the people they serve,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “This effort is a shining example of that kind of work, and we are pleased to be able to present this award.”
A panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio judge the OPRA Awards of Excellence.
###
The Centerville-Washington Park District operates eight community parks, nine nature parks, and 33 neighborhood parks encompassing more than 1,000 acres in Centerville and Washington Township. For more information about the Centerville-Washington Park District, please call (937) 433-5155 or visit www.cwpd.org.
Incorporated in 1963, OPRA is a non-profit, public interest organization representing over 1400 professionals and citizen board members striving to provide quality parks and recreation facilities and opportunities for all Ohioans while protecting and preserving Ohio’s natural resources, positively impacting local economies and health and wellness of its citizens.