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Last updated on Wednesday, January 21, 2015
(BLOOMINGTON) - City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department’s Becky Barrick-Higgins, Community Events Manager, was presented with the Outstanding Professional Award from the Indiana Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) at the IPRA State Conference in Michigan City, Ind. on Jan. 15.
According to IPRA's Interim Executive Director Vicki Mayes, the annual Outstanding Professional Award recognizes an individual in the parks and recreation field who, through creativity, dedication and the relentless pursuit of excellence, enhances parks and recreation experiences in his or her community.
Barrick-Higgins was nominated for the award by Julie Knapp, Clinical Assistant Professor at Indiana University's School of Public Health.
"This is a well-deserved honor for Becky Barrick-Higgins," Knapp said. "Becky has worked within the parks and recreation profession for more than 30 years and has served in a variety of leadership capacities at local, state and national levels. She is a true advocate for the profession and works in many capacities to promote the benefits of quality park and recreation programs."
Knapp added, "The Indiana Park and Recreation Association is fortunate to have Becky as the incoming State Association President for 2015. Becky also serves as chairperson for Indiana University's Executive Development Program, which is a nationally recognized continuing education program for parks and recreation professionals."
Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Director Mick Renneisen said, "Becky is the consummate professional. Not only does she perform her duties for our department and community at a very high level, she also lends her time and skills to many community functions including Downtown Bloomington, Inc. and the annual Taste of Bloomington event."
Renneisen also said, "Becky's fingerprint is on many events our community treasures, including concerts and movies in the parks and the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market, to name a few. We are very proud of Becky and congratulate her on her well-deserved recognition."
Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan added, "Becky's dedication, both within the City and in the community, creates a better Bloomington for all of us. Her hard work is evident in the many programs offered by the Parks and Recreation Department, and I am glad that she has been recognized for this prestigious award."
Each year, IPRA Awards of Excellence are presented to individuals and agencies across Indiana to honor their efforts, both personal and professional, in the field of parks and recreation. Winners are evaluated by their peers in the industry based upon a scoring system for quality, impact and creative problem solving.
More than 500 parks and recreation professionals from across the state attended the three-day 2015 IPRA state conference this week. The conference concludes today, Jan. 16.
For more information about the Indiana Park and Recreation Association, contact the IPRA office at 317.573.4035 or visit www.inpra.org. For more information about the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, please call (812) 349.3700.
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