Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks was recently recognized with three awards during the recent Maryland Recreation and Parks Association’s (MRPA) Annual Conference in Ocean City, MD in April.
Awards were received in the following categories:
MRPA Maryland My Maryland Special Event Award
The Anne Arundel County Lifeline 100 Century Ride is an annual event that started in 2014. The event offers cyclists of all levels the opportunity to participate in a variety of rides including 15, 30, 65 and 100 mile courses, and is a partnership between Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks, Anne Arundel County Police and Bicycle Advocates of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. The event is held at Kinder Farm Park in Millersville every year.
The ride courses take cyclists throughout Anne Arundel County, where they get a taste of paved trails around BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, they travel on road trails over the Severn River and past the Naval Academy, continuing through historic downtown Annapolis, and into the heart of Annapolis where riders get a glimpse of the Bay Bridge and then down into Southern Anne Arundel County where farmland stretches as far as the eye can see. It is like getting a miniature tour of the state – from the bay to rolling hills and farmland to our major international airport.
The day also includes events for non-riders, children and families. Non-riders and spectators can participate in the Make Health Happen Community Health Fair that is sponsored by the Healthy Anne Arundel Coalition. And children can participate in the Children’s Bike Safety Rodeo and Family Ride throughout the park.
It is truly an event for all ages and abilities.
MRPA Committee of the Year Award
The Department’s Marketing and Events Manager, Carolyn Ryan, was recognized for her contribution to the Education and Training Committee in providing high quality education programs for the members of the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association in a variety of focus areas, including the Annual MRPA Conference, Carolyn served as the Conference Co-Chairperson.
MRPA Park and Resource Conservation (PARC) Branch Service Award
Paul Downey has been an active volunteer since he joined the Friends of Kinder Farm Park over ten years ago. Paul’s real expertise has been in his contributions to the park’s visitor center. Paul designed and built the majority of the display and storage cabinets which showcase antique farm artifacts. He also designed and built the building’s large conference room table (4’ x 13’) as well as the receptionist’s desk. Paul fabricated all of the cabinets for the caterer’s kitchen. The vast majority of the rough-cut wood came from the park’s sawmill which he planed down and cut to size. His largest project was the wainscoting panel project for the building’s Harvest Hall meeting room. This project literally took months and was completed in 2015. The vast majority of the lumber used in it came from trees in the park. Yellow Poplar, Yellow Pine, Red Oak, Pin Oak, Chestnut Oak, Sweet Gum and Ambrosia Maple boards and trim give the panels various colors and patterns that give it a unique look. Paul utilized a clear stain and varnish which both protect and bring out the natural beauty of the wood. Over 4,600 board feet of lumber went into the production of this project. 1,586 individual boards and trim pieces were fabricated by Paul and his volunteers. Installation of the individual panels was done by park rangers under Paul’s direction.
Director Rick Anthony notes “We are very proud to be honored by the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association again this year. Our employees, partners and volunteers are integral to everything we do and are able to accomplish; it is rewarding to be recognized for that effort. ”
[do action=”blackwall-hitch”/]
