This award recognizes a print, radio and television medium (or individual reporter or journalist) that has provided responsible and comprehensive coverage of Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation and special recreation agencies at the the statewide and/or local level. Click here to nominate.

 

Best Friend of Illinois Parks - Business

The "Best Friend of Illinois Parks" is awarded to a business or corporation that has demonstrated exemplary support of a local park district, forest preserve, conservation, recreation or special recreation agency. Awards are given for three sub categories:

Small Business (fewer than 100 employees) Click here to nominate

Mid-Sized Business (100 to 500 employees) Click here to nominate

Large Business (more than 500 employees) Click here to nominate

 

Intergovernmental Cooperation Award

This award is intended to recognize agencies (park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation, and special recreation agencies) and the units of government with which they have an agreement that have created successful intergovernmental agreements or partnerships that maximize tax dollars and benefit residents throughout the community. Click here to nominate.

 

Partnership Award

This award is intended to recognize non-governmental organizations (churches, YMCAs, foundations, associations, not-for-profits, corporations, etc.) that have collaborated with a park district, forest preserve, conservation, recreation or special recreation agency in a significant manner, thereby enabling the public agency to initiate a major capital improvement program, or pursue a campaign, initiative or project that enhanced residents quality of life and would not have been achievable without this partnership. Click here to nominate.

 

Best Green Practices

The IAPD Best Green Practices Award is presented to a park district, forest preserve, conservation, recreation or special recreation agency that has taken the initiative to incorporate and encourage environmentally friendly business practices and policies. Click here to nominate.

 

Good Sportsmanship Award

This award recognizes the efforts of citizen volunteers who are coaches for park district, recreation or special recreation agency youth athletics including, but not limited to, basketball, baseball, indoor and outdoor soccer, softball, hockey and volleyball. This award is not intended for a park district or recreation agency, but rather a volunteer or coach within an agency's sports program. Click here to nominate.

 

Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year

This award recognizes citizens' volunteer efforts to enhance a park district, forest preserve, conservation, recreation or special recreation agency program, service, parkland, open space or facility. This award is not intended for a park district, forest preserve, conservation, recreation or special recreation agency board member, but rather an active citizen volunteer. Click here to nominate.

 

Arts in the Park Award

This award - presented in partnership with the Arts Alliance Illinois - recognizes agencies (park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation, and special recreation agencies) that support the arts and partner with artists and arts organizations to enhance the quality of life in their communities. Click here to nominate.