Barb King Environmental Awards Presented at NRPA

Parks and recreation professional and agency recognized for environmental leadership

Delano, Minn. (Dec. 10, 2010) — The second annual Barb King Environmental Stewardship awards were presented at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Congress and Exposition. The awards recognize a parks and recreation agency and individual that have achieved excellence in leading his or her community to a more sustainable future.

Evonne Sandas of Arlington, Texas, received the Barb King Award for Environmental Leadership. Sandas, who worked as the director of golf for the City of Arlington, has been committed to sustainability for more than a decade. In 1998, the City open the first golf course in Texas to be designated as an Audobon Signature Sanctuary by Audobon International, a nonprofit that promotes more sustainable patterns of land use and sustainable resource management. Since then the City has focused on sustainable planning, water conservation, energy efficiency and public education.

The winner of the Barb King Award for Environmental Stewardship is the City of Phoenix in Phoenix, Ariz. The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department has moved aggressively to make city parks and recreation facilities more sustainable. The department has focused on implementing new technologies to save water and energy, and is building sustainability from the ground up. When the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department builds or renovates parks or recreation facilities, they reuse materials and use fewer volatile organic compounds. These thoughtful practices and many others have made the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department greener than ever.

Barb King (1946-2008) was a former NRPA Board member (2005-2008). In 1971, she and her husband Steve cofounded Landscape Structures Inc., a commercial playground equipment manufacturer. 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.

NRPA is currently accepting applications for all of the 2011 National Awards including the Barb King Environmental Leadership Award and Barb King Environmental Stewardship Award. Visit www.nrpa.org for more information.