VRPS Annual Awards: Recognizing Excellence in 2015

President’s Awards

Given at the Discretion of the President for Exceptional Service to the Society during 2016

2016 Annual Conference Committee

·         Doug Blount (Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism):  Co-Chair

·         John Shaner (Salem Parks and Recreation):  Co-Chair

·         Dean Crane, CPRP (Blacksburg Parks and Recreation)

·         Marcia Dougherty (Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism)

·         Jim Farmer (Botetourt County Parks and Recreation Department)

·         Allen Hayes (Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism)

·         Brian Laws, CPRP (Fairfax County Park Authority)

·         Arlain Martin (Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism)

·         Melida McKee, CPRP (Roanoke Parks and Recreation)

·         Alex North (Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism)

·         Scott Ramsburg (Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism)

·         Wendi Schultz (Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism)

·         Dr. Susan Van Patten (Radford University)

·         David Weir, CPRP (Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism)

·         Maureen Wilson (Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism)

2016 Leadership Training Institute Committee

·         Kristen Hamill, CPRP (Newport News Parks, Recreation and Tourism):  Co-Chair

·         Matt Spruill, CPRP (Colonial Heights Recreation and Parks):  Co-Chair

·         Terry Caldwell, CPRP, AFO (Christiansburg Aquatic Center)

·         Nancy Ellis, CPRP (James City County Parks and Recreation)

·         Kat Fish (Prince William County Parks and Recreation)

·         Brian Gannon, CPRP, AFO (Reston Community Center)

·         Michael Kalvort, CPRE (Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation)

·         Derek Stamey, CPRP (Goochland County Parks and Recreation)

·         Amy Woodson, CPRP (Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation)

Marcy Durrer, CPRP (Hanover County Parks and Recreation)

Dr. Susan Van Patten (Radford University)     

To see the following list, complete with photos, click here.

  

Fellows Award

·         Nancy E. Ellis, CPRP, James City County Parks and Recreation

Distinguished Service

·         Benita Ripley, Lynchburg Parks and Recreation

Outstanding New Professional

·         Alicia Engels, Henrico Division of Recreation and Parks

·         Lindsay Blankenship, Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Distinguished Private Sector Service

·         Landscape Supply Inc., Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism

·         Enrichmond, Richmond Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities

Distinguished Volunteer Service

·         Catherine Ledec, Fairfax County Park Authority

·         Charley O’Hara, Falls Church Recreation and Parks

Best New Program

·         Population Under 25,000 and Under

o   Heroes Camp, Hopewell Recreation and Parks

·         Population 25,001 – 50,000

o   Roverwalk, Danville Parks and Recreation

·         Population 50,001 – 100,000

o   RCC Rides, Reston Community Center

·         Population Greater than 100,000

o   Footgolf at Pinecrest Golf Course, Fairfax County Park Authority

Best New Special Event

·         Population 25,000 and Under

o   Irish Road Bowling, Staunton Parks and Recreation

·         Population 50,001 – 100,000

o   A Christmas Past at the Fishburn Mansion Open House, Roanoke Parks and Recreation

·         Population Greater than 100,000

o   Miss Abilities Chesapeake, Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Best New Facility (Bricks and Mortar)

·         Population 50,001 – 100,000

o   Whaleyville Community Center, Suffolk Parks and Recreation

·         Population Greater than 100,000

o   Bow Creek Recreation Center, Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation

Best New Facility (Parks, Playground, Greenways and Trails)

·         Population 25,000 and Under

o   Second Avenue/Park Road Improvement Project, Radford Parks and Recreation Department

·         Population 25,001 – 50,000

o   Danville Art Trail, Danville Parks and Recreation

·         Population 50,001 – 100,000

o   Jamestown Beach Event Park, James City County Parks and Recreation

·         Population Greater than 100,000

o   Elizabeth River Park, Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Best New Renovation/Addition (Bricks and Mortar)

·         Population 25,000 and Under

o   Shepherd Stadium Dugouts, Colonial Heights Recreation and Parks

·         Population 25,001 – 50,000

o   Ballou Recreation Center Upgrade, Danville Parks and Recreation

·         Population 50,001 – 100,000

o   Miller Center, Lynchburg Parks and Recreation

·         Population Greater than 100,000

o   Spring Hill RECenter, Fairfax County Park Authority

Best New Renovation/Addition (Parks, Playgrounds, Greenways & Trails)

·         Population 25,000 and Under

o   Crystal Springs Recreation Area, Wytheville Parks and Recreation

·         Population 50,001-1000,000

o   Roanoke River Trail, Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism

·         Population Greater than 100,000

o   Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole, Fairfax County Park Authority

Best New Environmental Sustainability

·         Population 25,000 and Under

o   Lake Tams Renovation, Staunton Parks and Recreation

·         Population 25,001 – 50,000

o   Native Tree Walk at Ida Lee Park, Leesburg Parks and Recreation

·         Population 50,001 – 100,000

o   Neighborhood Center Teaching Gardens, Lynchburg Parks and Recreation

·         Population Greater than 100,000

o   Virginia Beach Trees for Clean Water Grant Initiative, Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation

Best Promotional Effort - Traditional

·         Population 25,000 and Under

o   Fall “History Edition” Program Guide, Goochland County Parks and Recreation

·         Population 25,001 – 50,000

o   Discount Movie Ticket Flyers, Orange County Parks and Recreation

·         Population 50,001 – 100,000

o   A Christmas Past at the Fishburn Mansion Brochure, Roanoke Parks and Recreation

o   Green Ridge Folder, Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism

·         Population Greater than 100,000

o   2015 Strategic Plan Report, Fairfax County Park Authority

Best Promotional Effort - Specialty

·         Population 25,000 and Under

o   2015 Herndon Festival Digital Brochure, Herndon Parks and Recreation

·         Population 25,001 – 50,000

o   25th Annual Flower and Garden Festival Wineglass, Leesburg Parks and Recreation

·         Population 50,001 – 100,000

o   Lynchburg is for Locavores Campaign, Lynchburg Parks and Recreation

o   Roanoke County Parks App, Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism

·         Population Greater than 100,000

o   15-second Video Promotion: Annual RECenter Membership Sale, Fairfax County Park Authority

2015 VRPS Annual Conference Awards: Recognizing Excellence in 2014

2015 Annual Conference Photos

Enjoy these albums courtesy of Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation.  There's multiple pages - so scroll through!

VRPS 2015 Annual Conference

VRPS 2014 Awards, Presented at VRPS 2015 Annual Conference

Virginia Quit Day 2015

In preparation for Virginia Quit Day; the Virginia Department of Health's celebration of the Great American Smokeout, the resources below are provided to help support the launch of Countdown to Quit Day.  The Countdown begins October 20, and Virginia Quit Day is November 19.

Each day during the month leading up to Virginia Quit Day, a “quit tip” will be posted on the VDH Facebook page and sent out via the VDH Twitter account.

Please share the Facebook posts and retweet the tweets during the Countdown. Encourage your community partners to follow VDH on Facebook and Twitter and share our quit tips.

The VDH homepage (http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/) will also feature information about Virginia Quit Day and the Countdown, including a countdown clock and a downloadable pledge to quit tobacco.

Virginia Senior Games: 2014 Results, 2015 Preparation

by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office

Virginia Senior Games is presented by the Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS).  A private, non-profit professional organization, VRPS was founded in 1953 with the purpose of uniting all professionals, students, and interested lay persons engaged in the field of recreation, parks, and other leisure services in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

SAVE THE DATES! 2015 VSG Games May 13-16, 2015 Newport News, VA Athlete's Bulletin Board Become a Friend FAQ's Past Results Sponsor Volunteer  Post your photos and your press -  on theVSG Facebook page   Additional photos are available on the Newport News Active Lifestyles page VRPS Quick Links         www.virginiaseniorgames.org www.vrps.com www.nsga.com   Thanks to our 2014 Venue Sponsors   2014 Virginia Senior Games Results 2014 results are availableonline 2014 Results Congratulations to all 2014 participants. Online results are available HERE. Online results book is available HERE. Check your name for 2015 National Senior Games qualification! 2014 Virginia results have been reported to National Senior Games. Photos are available on the VSG Facebook pageHERE. More photos are available on the Newport News Active Lifestyles page HERE. New for 2015 Registration will be available early 2015. In order to more efficiently serve you, volunteers, hosts, and event staff, registration will be online only. New festivities at the Athlete's Wellness Fair and Party will include an open fun walk and mini-golf.   Save the Dates!   2015 Friday 7/3 - Thurs 7/16 Bloomington / Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota Interested in past results?  Click HERE.  What's YOUR story?    Share your "press with us: Post to the VSG Facebook page. Contact us via email. Virginia Senior Games - a Little History Seniors preparing for Virginia Senior Games pickleball competition in Newport News ~ Hampton Roads Daily Press, April 7, 2014   Richard Ernst, Springfield Dr. Samuel Morton, Newport News Thanks to our 2014 GOLD MEDAL Sponsors!

Virginia Senior Games  6372 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Suite 109  Mechanicsville, Virginia 23111  (804) 730-9447   www.virginiaseniorgames.org

Virginia Senior Games - a Little History ...

by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office

Virginians, like the rest of America, are riding the age wave:

• Roughly 10,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65 today, and this will continue every day through 2030 (Pew Research Center).
• An American turns 50 every 7 seconds – that’s more than 12,500 people every day (US Census).
• The senior age group is now, for the first time, the largest in terms of size and percent of the population in the U.S. By 2015, those aged 50 and older will represent 45 percent of the U.S. population (AARP).

The Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) is a private, non-profit professional organization, founded in 1953. Its purpose is to unite all professionals, students, and interested lay persons engaged in the field of recreation, parks, and other leisure services in the Commonwealth of Virginia. VRPS is affiliated with the National Recreation and Park Association.

In keeping with its mission to promote parks and recreation to the benefit of Virginians, VRPS produces the Virginia Senior Games (VSG), an annual athletic event offering competition in over 21 sports over the course of 4 days for participants aged 50 and older. The first Virginia Senior Games were held in 1978 in Richmond and presented contests in 14 sports. The Games move around the state and are typically hosted in the same locality for four years before moving on. Athletes today can compete in upwards of 21 sports, ranging from Archery to Volleyball and most everything in between. Recent, popular additions include Pickleball, Cycling, and Disc Golf.

The Virginia Senior Games is a qualifying competition for the National Senior Games, which take place every other year. VSG is also an open event, so that no scores or times are required for entry. Athletes can compete in multiple sports, and out-of-state sportspersons are welcome. Competition adheres to National Senior Games rules, and medals are awarded in each age category (5-year increments). Additionally, athletes and their guests are treated to an annual Athletes’ Party and Wellness Fair, based on a new festive theme each year and offering activities, musical entertainment, and snacks, all in keeping with a showcase for services and resources for healthy lifestyles in Virginia.

Clearly, the benefits to VSG athletes are monumental – the physical demands of competition encourage participants to train year-round, in many cases. This preparation also lends itself both to greater daily structure and socializing. And, needless to say, winning, losing, and teamwork are their own reward. However, one might wonder if the true winners are the volunteers and spectators.

• To witness a 101-year-young swimmer complete in both 50m and 100m freestyle swimming races, and thereby set World Records, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
• To watch a 77-year-young Vietnam War veteran tossing horseshoes and bowling balls from his wheelchair, where he has sat since 1963 as the only survivor of his combat helicopter flight, is a privilege.
• To meet a 50-something-year-young road racer who competes wearing a fluffy pink tutu is a lesson in what matters.

For some, especially the women, VSG is the first time in their lives that they have the opportunity to learn and experience the value of sport competition. Every athlete has a story – and it begins back home, during the course of their training and their decision to compete in the Virginia Senior Games. For example, that 101-year old swimmer drove herself to the pool every morning at 5am to train. That “horseshoer” was an advocate for ADA and spent most of his life working with autistic individuals. The road racer … well she’s simply a knockout ….

Virginia Senior Games fun facts:

• Competition is offered in: Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Billiards, Bowling, Canasta, Cycling, Disc Golf, Golf, Horseshoes, Mini Golf, Pickleball, Pinochle, Racquetball, Road Race, Shuffleboard, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.
• Athletes must be 50 on or before December 31 of the competition year in order to participate.
• Team competition is offered in both Basketball and Volleyball.
• Partners and teams compete in the age group of the youngest participant.
• Registration for the games begins at the beginning of the year, and the games take place mid-May.
• Newport News Parks, Recreation and Tourism will be hosting the 2015 games for a third consecutive year.
• To learn more about Virginia Senior Games, visit www.virginiaseniorgames.org
• To enjoy photos and more, visit www.facebook.com/Virginia.Senior.Games

In memory of Samuel “Doc” Morton (September 20, 1937 – July 8, 2014) and all the others who will not return to the Games in 2015. Thank you for your years of exemplary athletic dedication and competition.