Thirteen Different Agencies Win OPRA First Place Awards
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association has announced the winners of its 2025 Annual Awards of Excellence. In all, 13 different agencies won first place awards, and more than 25 different agencies were honored.
Columbus Recreation and Parks led the way with a total of five awards, including four projects and one individual award. Upper Arlington Parks and Recreation received two projects and one individual award.
“I am amazed every day by the work that parks and recreation professionals are doing to improve the quality of life in communities around Ohio, and these are the best of the best,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “Again this year, we received more nominations than ever before. It’s just a powerful statement about the incredible work going on in parks and recreation agencies around the state.” Woodward said townships, large and small cities, large and small county park districts, and Ohio State Parks and Watercraft all won awards. “It is extremely satisfying to see such a variety of agencies winning awards. It really underscores our message that life changing work is going on in parks and recreation in communities of every size and type.”
The awards were judged by a panel of 65 parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio.
The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on February 3, 2026 at the Kalahari and Conference Center in Sandusky in conjunction with the 2026 OPRA Conference & Trade Show. One first place award winner will be presented with the 2025 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 winner.