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Mercer Island Parks & Recreation Department 2014 WRPA Award Recipients

On Wednesday, April 9, The Washington Recreation and Parks Association (WRPA) hosted its annual 2014 Awards Banquet at Seattle’s Magnuson Park.

 

The Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Department were the recipients of multiple awards.  

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Business and Operations Superintendent, Jana Raasch, is the recipient of the 2014 President’s Award, presented by WRPA President, Jessi Bon.  Raasch was recognized for her contributions in developing WRPA’s new Strategic Plan.

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“For well over a year, Jana provided her expertise and experience with strategic plans to help guide our process,” Bon said.

 

The Strategic Plan update consists of WRPA’s mission and vision statements, strategic goals and initiatives that are built on a foundation of core values and principles.  Updating the plan proved to be a major undertaking, including surveys, focus groups, and other forms of research.  “…She was instrumental in helping us get our arms around this massive process,” Bon said.

 

The Luther Burbank Playground was awarded the spotlight award for Cultural Competency.  “We wanted a new playground that was not only ADA accessible, but we wanted play features that everyone could enjoy,” said Bruce Fletcher, Parks and Recreation Director.  The Parks Department partnered with the Mercer Island Preschool Association in designing and fundraising for the award winning playground.

 

The playground features unique play structures, such as a second story play structure wheel chair access and an ADA compliant merry-go-round.

 

Parks and Recreation representatives and landscape architects from across Washington State gathered to honor WRPA individuals and organizations for their contributions to the field of Parks and Recreation.



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