NRPA Announces New Award to Recognize Environmental Stewardship

Barb King Award Honors Legacy of Association Leader

Ashburn, Va. (Nov. 5, 2008) — The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has announced the creation of a new award that will recognize individuals and park and recreation agencies that have achieved excellence in environmental stewardship. The award was approved by the Executive Committee of the NRPA Board of Trustees in July and was highlighted at the Opening General Session of last month’s 2008 NRPA Congress and Exposition in Baltimore.

Barb King (1946-2008) was a former NRPA Board member (2005-2008). In 1971, she and her husband Steve co-founded playground manufacturer Landscape Structures Inc. Barb was a passionate proponent of environmental stewardship and sustainability. She believed that sustainability started with wellness—healthy kids, healthy communities and a respect for the earth. She worked tirelessly to further the cause of creating sustainable communities through education, effective environmental planning, implementation of sustainability programs and measurable results. She actively pursued partners and affiliates who could help create programs and processes that could positively impact our communities for future generations.

“We are proud to have an award named for such a pioneer in the park and recreation community,” said Barbara Tulipane, chief executive officer of NRPA. “Barb did more than run a company; she committed herself, her family and her business to living the principles of social responsibility in every way possible. Her dedication to environmental stewardship was clear in everything she did.”

Nominations will be solicited in the coming months for the inaugural Barb King Award, to be presented at the 2009 NRPA Congress in Salt Lake City. For more information on the award and the nomination process, visit the NRPA website.
 
About NRPA
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of more than 20,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org.