The City of Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department recently received three Awards of Excellence from the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association.

The city was recognized for its geographic information system (GIS) management, Spotted in Plymouth Parks campaign and Bark in the Park event.

Each year, MRPA recognizes organizations for outstanding achievements in parks, recreation and leisure services for projects completed during the previous year.

GIS Management
The city’s GIS management received an Award of Excellence in the category of Administrative or Management Strategies.

Due to the city’s substantial growth – from 31 parks with 1,023 acres in 2000 to 75 parks with 1,671 acres in 2016 – GIS management has become a top priority for the Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department. GIS benefits the department in a variety of areas, including park acreage tracking, development of scaled site drawings for special events and management of contracts. GIS assists city staff in making informed decisions with more accurate geographical data.

GIS projects completed in 2016 include maps for requests for proposals, mowing contracts, snow removal, park listings, trails, park asset replacement projects, Emerald Ash Borer tracking and inventories of park signage and amenities.

Spotted in Plymouth Parks
A social media campaign, Spotted in Plymouth Parks earned an Award of Excellence in the category of Communications. The campaign helps highlight the variety of ways residents and community members use Plymouth’s parks and trails.

Throughout the summer, city staff visit various locations in Plymouth a few times each month to “spot” an individual or group using a park. Prizes are awarded and a photo is shared on the city’s social media sites, using the hashtag #PlymouthParks.

Bark in the Park
Last year, the City of Plymouth held its first all-about-dogs event, Bark in the Park – which received an Award of Excellence in the category of Programming and Events.

Bark in the Park is free and features dog products, pet supplies, veterinarians, service dogs, rescue dog adoption organizations and on-site services, such as vaccinations and nail clipping. It also offers fun attractions, including face painting and a doggy photo booth. For more information, visit plymouthmn.gov/barkinthepark.

About MRPA
MRPA fosters the growth and development of the parks and recreation profession throughout Minnesota, and includes municipal, county, state, district, commercial and private agencies. Judging considerations for the MRPA Award of Excellence include planning, funding, collaboration, community support, originality and design, and benefit or impact to the community.