2024 Creating Community Award of Excellence

·         Aging Well - programs, initiatives or innovative practices that promote healthy and active aging within the community

·         Arts & Cultural Services - programs, initiatives or special events that celebrate community character and reinforce the value of visual, performing, or historic resources

·         Community Health & Wellness - programs, initiatives, special events or innovative planning efforts that promote healthy lifestyles and community wellness

·         Economic Vitality - programs, initiatives, special events or innovative planning efforts that positively enhance a community's economic position

·         Environmental Stewardship - programs, initiatives, events, or innovative practices that enhance the physical environment, promote the conservation of natural resources, or connect children with nature

·         Master Planning - long-range system planning for parks, facilities, trails, natural areas, programs and/or services

·         Neighborhood / Community Building - programs, initiatives, or special events in partnership with one or more organizations that seek to strengthen the role of children and families as the cornerstone of a strong community

·         Social Equity - programs, initiatives or services specifically designed to better engage underserved populations, i.e. ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+, those who are unhoused, economically disadvantaged, etc.

·         Youth Development - programs or services that help youth (up to age 18) acquire the attitudes, competencies, values, and social skills they need to become successful adults

Award Criteria / Point Value:

1.    Telling the Story

Share how your program, park, facility, or marketing effort supports our California Action Plan and Parks Make Life Better! goals.  Tell the Story of your success, using one or more of these goals:

·         Promote physical, emotional, and mental health and wellness

·         Support economic vitality of our community

·         Create memorable experiences

·         Foster social cohesiveness

·         Support human development and endless learning

·         Strengthen community identity

·         Facilitate community problem and issue resolution

·         Sustain and steward our natural, historical, and/or cultural resources

·         Support a safe, vibrant, attractive, and progressive community

400 word maximuM; 20 points

2.    Community Need or Challenge and Desired Outcomes

Outline the community need or significant challenge your program, park, facility, or media project intended to answer/solve.  Describe the desired outcomes you were looking to achieve.

Some thoughts to consider:

·         What was the impact if this community need or challenge was not addressed?

·         Did your desired outcomes consider and address equity, accessibility, and diversity in your community?  How? 

400 word maximum; 20 points

3.    Innovative Approach(es)

Detail how your approach was different, new, or innovative in addressing your community need/challenge and reaching your desired outcomes. 

Some thoughts to consider:

·         What various strategies, tools, technology, and resources were used?

·         Were non-traditional fiscal or community resources (grants, sponsorships, volunteers, etc.) employed?

·         Did you collaborate with other agencies or create a public/private partnership to accomplish your goals? 

400 word maximum; 20 points

4.    Community Collaboration

Describe the role policy makers, staff, community members, partners and/or stakeholders played in reaching your desired outcomes.

Some thoughts to consider:

·         How did you engage policy makers, community members, and partners in obtaining needed resources?

·         How did you ensure diverse community partners and perspectives in your collaborations and problem solving? 

·         What communications channels did you utilize to ensure all community members or stakeholders were included?

400 word maximum; 20 points

5.    Measuring Success

Specify, through measurable results, how you know you reached your desired outcomes as outlined above.  Did the entry create a substantial community benefit, improve operational efficiencies, create new or increased value in the community or significantly enhance the provision of park and recreation services?  How do you know?

Some thoughts to consider:

·         What metrics did you use to know this was a successful program, park, facility, or marketing effort? 

·         How do you know your program, park, facility, or media has reached a diverse cross-section of your community and/or is inclusive of and accessible to all?

·         How have you celebrated your success and shared the story to advocate for additional support, awareness, or resources?

400 word maximum; 20 points

6.    Award Application Summary

In 150 words or less, please give us a compelling description of your award nomination, highlighting several points from the questions above.  Note that this 150-word description may be used in future CPRS Award program marketing materials.  Be sure it is representative of what you'd like not only our award judges but also general members, to read about your award nominee!

Additional Supplemental Information Requested/Required

a)   5 to 8 photos; each photo labeled with entry and agency name

b)   Maximum 3 examples of background material that support one or more of the criteria, e.g. partnership agreement, press releases, needs assessments. (PDF)

c)    If you are not a park and recreation agency and are submitting an application on behalf of a park and recreation agency/program/facility/park, please include a letter from said agency denoting they know you are submitting this award application.  (PDF)

This award recognizes outstanding initiatives by agencies, departments, or districts in their effort to deliver the highest level of recreation and leisure programs and services that embody and embrace the values and mission of the profession and move the agency towards a stronger position or role within the community.

Program or service must have been conducted a minimum of 3 years to be eligible.

CPRS may award up to 1 (one) award per sub-category.