Lee Parks wins state awards

Lee County Parks & Recreation has received an Agency Excellence Award from the Florida Recreation and Parks Association along with three other statewide awards.

The awards will be presented at the annual FRPA conference banquet Thursday, Aug. 30, in Orlando.

"We are very proud of this, especially the Agency Excellence Award," said Barbara Manzo, deputy director of Lee County Parks & Recreation. "Our dedicated staff made it possible. They have passion and do an outstanding job every day."

Parks & Recreation entered four award categories and won each. In addition to the Agency Excellence Award, the department is being recognized with the Media Excellence Award, Excellence in Research Award, and the Voluntary Service Award.

Specifically, the media award was given for publicity efforts related to the Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail. The research award was for work with gopher tortoises on the department's conservation and preserve lands. The volunteer award recognizes the Friends of the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve.

The Agency Excellence Award highlights 13 elements in which Lee County Parks & Recreation excels.

Elements include: administration/management, aquatics programming, athletic programming, citizen involvement, cultural diversity, environmental education, fitness and wellness activities, leisure and cultural arts programs, parks development and acquisition, long- and short-term planning, recreation programming, staff development, and promotion of programs.

The Tallahassee-based Florida Recreation and Parks Association, established in 1942, provides advocacy for parks and recreation interests. FRPA is among the state's most highly recognized associations, as well as a national leader for the parks and recreation profession.

For more information on Lee County Parks& Recreation, call 461-7400.

To view the award applications, go to www.leeparks.org