Summit Metro Parks, staff honored with multiple awards

Summit Metro Parks received four Awards of Excellence from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association. The awards recognize organizations throughout Ohio that embody the vision, dedication and demonstration of excellence in parks and recreation

The park district received:

First place: Category 4 – special event, “Promises in the Park” group wedding ceremony at Goodyear Heights Metro Park on June 28, 2019. (In partnership with Summit County Probate Court Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer).

Second place: Category 9 – adaptive program, “Autism Friendly Touch-A-Truck” at Munroe Falls Metro Park on Aug. 10, 2019. (In partnership with the Autism Society of Greater Akron).

Third place: Category 6 – environmental & interpretive program “Nature Club” at Summit Lake Nature Center.

Third place: Category 13 – marketing innovation “#MySMPadventure” Instagram campaign and contest in July 2019.

Also, Summit Metro Parks Chief of Conservation Mike Johnson received the 2019 Jack Hanna Resource Conservation Award, presented to an OPRA member who has dedicated his or her career to the conservation of natural resources, both in their career in parks and recreation and in other areas.

Among his numerous achievements, Johnson has guided endangered species recovery projects for over 1,150 populations of 226 rare, threatened or endangered species. In one of the state’s largest stream restoration projects, he recently completed the final stage of a 15-year effort to restore 5 miles of stream and 100 acres of wetlands at Pond Brook in Liberty Park  in Twinsburg – a project almost entirely funded by external grant funding that Johnson secured.

“Our organization strives every day to deliver a high-quality park experience for Summit County residents,” said Lisa King, Summit Metro Parks executive director. “We are honored to be recognized for these initiatives.” Summit Metro Parks staff and Johnson will accept the awards on Feb. 4, at OPRA’s annual conference in Sandusky.