Media/Merit Awards
The Montana Recreation and Park Association annually recognizes members of our organization who meet the criteria established for the Media Excellence and Citation of Merit.
Media Excellence
- Recognizing efforts that contribute to the general public’s understanding and greater awareness of parks, recreation and conservation programs.
Citation of Merit
- Community and Political Advocate
- Outstanding volunteer services
- Research and Academic Studies
- Program Innovation
2020 MTRPA Award Nominations
Want to recognize someone in parks and rec or a supporter? See criteria for 2020 Award Nominations.
Congrats Award Winners!
See below for MTRPA media/merit award archives…
2017 Media/Merit Award Recipients
This year the awards were presented at the annual MTRPA conference in Missoula on October 7, 2017.
PROGRAM INNOVATION
Pat Marron
COMMUNITY & POLITICAL ADVOCATE
Kevin Verlanic
OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER
Bert Lindler
MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARD / CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
The Montana Trails, Recreation and Park Association annually recognizes individuals or organizations of our state who meet the criteria established for the Media Excellence and Citation of Merit Awards. This year the awards were presented at the annual MTRPA conference in Missoula on October 7, 2017.
Award Recipients
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
Awarded to Bert Lindler in recognition for his Outstanding Community Volunteerism.
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
Awarded to Kevin Verlanic in recognition for being the Community & Political Advocate.
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
Awarded to Pat Marron with the City of Helena in recognition for Program Innovation
2014 Award Recipients
MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARD
Presented to Camen Winslow for the Butte Standard
In recognition for her support and coverage of outdoor recreation opportunities and issues important to southwest Montana communities. Montana Standard’s has made a difference to the quality of life for citizens and visitors to southwest Montana (Presented by Jocelyn Dodge)
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
Awarded to the City of Billings Parks and Recreation Department For Agency Excellence
In recognition for their Outdoor Adventure Camp Series – Connecting Children with Nature
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
Awarded to the City of Billings Parks and Recreation Department For Agency Excellence
In recognition for the Establishment of a Community Outreach Division
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
Presented to Josh Zapata from the Colstrip Park and Recreation District for Program Leadership
In recognition for his 8 years of dedicated service as the State Chairman for the Montana Hershey Track and Field Program
(Presented by Rich Harbin)
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
Presented to Pat Doyle from the Helena Tourism Alliance for Citizen Volunteer and Community Advocacy
In recognition for his efforts to promote and support mountain biking opportunities in Helena through Bike Helena
(Presented by Amy Teegarden)
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
(photo not available)
Presented to Dr. Jenny Montgomery for Citizen Volunteer and Community Advocacy
In recognition for her dedicated efforts to help construct Missoula’s first all inclusive, all ability, poured in place playground – Silver Summit
2013 Award Recipients
MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARD
PRESENTED TO ERIN MADISON AND KRISTEN INBODY OF THE GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE
FOR PUBLISHING PROFILES AND FEATURE STORIES OF EACH STATE PARK – THE PROJECT
WAS CALLED “THE MONTANA STATE PARKS CHALLENGE” AND THEY VISITED 55 PARKS
IN 11 MONTHS
(L-R) (Doug Haberman, Regional Park Manager; Chas Van Genderen, MT State Parks Administrator; Erin Madison and Kristen Inbody, Great Falls Tribune Reporters)
2012 Award Recipients
MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARD
PRESENTED TO JENN LAWSON OF
MONTANA STATE PARKS
FOR HER OUTSTANDING EFFORT IN MARKETING
MONTANA STATE PARKS
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
PRESENTED TO THE FRIENDS OF BILLINGS DOG PARKSFOR CREATING PARKS WHERE DOGS CAN ROMP AND PLAY!
ACCEPTED BY MARK JARVIS, BILLINGS PARKS PLANNER
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
PRESENTED TO THE CITY OF BILLINGS PARKS, RECREATION & PUBLIC LANDS DEPARTMENT FOR AGENCY EXCELLENCE IN CREATING A CITYWIDE PARKS ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
PRESENTED TO RICH LYNDOF HELENA
FOR 29 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO
HELENA CITY PARKS AND THE RECREATION PROFESSION
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
PRESENTED TO DALE HARRISOF MISSOULA
OUTSTANDING PARKS BOARD MEMBER AND
ADVOCATE FOR MISSOULA CITY PARKS
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
PRESENTED TO JOHN O’CONNOROF MISSOULA
OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AND “GET IT DONE”
ADVOCATE FOR MISSOULA CITY PARKS
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
PRESENTED TO JOE FEDIN OF BILLINGS
FOR CREATING AND MAINTAINING THE MRPA WEBSITE
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF PARKS AND RECREATION !
2011 Award Recipients
MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARD
PRESENTED TO KIM NELSON AND JENNY BARRIGER OF
SIMPLY FAMILY MAGAZINE
FOR THEIR TREMENDOUS SUPPORT AND PROMOTION OF RECREATION PROGRAMS, FACILITIES AND EVENTS IN BILLINGS
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
PRESENTED TO DOUG WICKS (L) OF GREAT FALLS
by Giles Salyer, Parks Superintendent,
FOR HIS DEDICATION TO TRAIL DEVELOPMENT
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
PRESENTED TO THE BILLINGS PARKS, RECREATION AND CEMETERY
BOARD FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO INITIATE A CITYWIDE PARK DISTRICT
(L-R MARGY BONNER, DARWIN GEORGE, TODD ROYAL, RICK DEVORE, TOM IVERSON, CATHERINE GROTT NOT PRESENT: RACHEL COX, GARY GRAY, MARK WAHL )
2010 Award Recipients
MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARD
AWARDED TO MARK HENKEL POSTHUMOUSLY
BILLINGS GAZETTE OUTDOOR EDITOR
ACCEPTED BY MATT HENKEL, CAROL HENKEL, & DICK WESNICK
PRESENTED BY DOUG HABERMAN, MRPA PRESIDENT
CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
BILL NEUMILLER, PRESIDENT
COLSTRIP PARKS & RECREATION
DISTRICT BOARD
2009 – No Awards were presented in these categories
2008 Award Recipients
MEDIA EXCELLENCE AWARD CITATION OF MERIT AWARD
TOM DICKSON, EDITOR BILL NEUMILLER, PRESIDENT
ONTANA OUTDOORS MAGAZINE COLSTRIP PARKS & RECREATION
DISTRICT BOARD
