Dunedin Parks & Recreation Wins Two Excellence AwardsDUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Parks & Recreation Department has been recognized by the Florida Recreation and Park Association with the presentation of the Agency Excellence Award. This award is given annually to public parks and recreation agencies who excel in all of the following areas: parks development; recreation programming; inclusion efforts; aquatic, athletic, leisure and cultural arts; fitness and wellness programming; administration and management; cultural diversity; environmental education; long and short range planning, staff training and development; and involvement of citizens through advisory boards and volunteer programs. In order to qualify the Agency must comprehensively demonstrate their ability to excel in all of the above areas. In his nomination letter, Mayor Dave Eggers indicated, "Our Parks & Recreation Department serves a variety of populations, and its recreation programs are extremely beneficial to both children and adults. Their programs place specific emphasis on the culturally and economically underserved, and their fitness and wellness initiatives are specifically geared to combat the current childhood obesity and health-related issues… The Dunedin Parks & Recreation Department touches the lives of countless citizens. The staff exhibits professionalism and compassion to the people they serve, and I feel they are most deserving of the 2009 Agency Excellence Award." The City of Dunedin was recognized for their excellence in Category IV, serving populations between 35,000 and 74,999. Awards Chair Greg Scott stated, "This year's review Committee had a difficult job selecting from the top quality submissions. The residents of these communities should be proud of the return they are receiving on their investment in their parks systems and recreation services." The award was presented to Parks & Recreation Director, Vince Gizzi, and Recreation Director, Peg Cummings, at the Annual Conference and Awards Banquet in Orlando, FL on Thursday, August 27, 2009. Staff was presented with two plaques - one for display at the Community Center and another to hang at City Hall, so that their entire community can join in celebrating this success. In addition, Recreation Leader, Mathew Eberius, was awarded the Distinguished Young Professional Award. This honor recognizes young professionals who have performed special or unusual service to the field of parks and recreation, maintain a professional image in their community, both on and off the job, exhibit leadership, inspiration, and must have made noteworthy contributions over a period of time to the parks, recreation and leisure services movement. The City of Dunedin is proud of Mathew and the entire staff for their passion and dedication to the residents and the quality of life in their community.
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