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Darke County Parks
Wins 2014 Award of Excellence
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) has announced its 2014
Annual Awards of Excellence winners and a local agency has been
recognized. The Darke County Park District won a 2nd place award
in the Historical and Cultural Arts Programming category for the
Blacksmith Shop Historical Education Center project. The Darke
County project competed against 7 other projects around the State of
Ohio in this category: Cincinnati Recreation
Commission-Art4Artisits, Cincinnati Recreation Commission-Black History
Celebrations at Madisonville, Gahanna Parks and Recreation-Gahanna
History Mural, Green Parks and Recreation-Community Art Quilt, Lorain
County Metroparks-Three Sisters, 3rd place winner Worthington Parks and
Recreation-Griswold Center 20 Year Anniversary Events and 1st Place
winner Westerville Parks and Recreation-Westerville Mural on the
Path.
As the Darke County Park District continues to develop its pioneer
education program around its Log House, completed in 2006, there have
been increasing requests from interested parties in the community about
adding to the cultural programs held there. The blacksmithing trade
would have been of utmost importance to the pioneer's survival during
the time-period this historical area represents (late 18th century.)
This project was made possible because of the amazing number of
volunteers donating countless hours, materials and equipment. The
Blacksmith Shop has become one of the most popular spots for volunteers
and visitors alike at Darke County Park’s Shawnee Prairie Preserve. It
has brought a community of like-minded individuals of all ages together
within the Park District Community and is passing on an age-old trade
to future generations.
The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet
hosted by the association on February 3, 2015 at the Kalahari
Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio. One first place award winner
will be presented with the 2014 Governor’s Award for Parks and
Recreation, a “best-in-show” award which includes a $500 contribution
to the parks and recreation foundation of the agency winner.
“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.”
The awards are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals
from around Ohio.
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.
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