Park & Recreation Learn more about our accomplishments!
Sign In
Wichita Parks and Recreation
Register for Class Find a Park

Learn more about our accomplishments!

​​Jump to:​ Articles | Interviews | Awards​
You are here: City of Wichita Skip Navigation LinksCity of Wichita / Park & Recreation / Learn more about our accomplishments!

Articles​​​

Association of Aquatic Professionals

Kansas Recreation and Park Association (KRPA)

National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA)

  • Pop-Up Potential
    Written by Parks & Recreation Magazine Associate Editor Lindsay Collins about the Downtown Wichita Pop-Up Park: September 1, 2019

Interviews

Bike Walk Wichita Podcast

The Chung Report

The Redhead and the Bearded Beauty

Wichita Beacon

Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator

Follow us on social media!​

@WichitaParkandRec​

@CityofWichita455

@NaftzgerPark

@OpenStreets_ICT





​


 
Previous Next
​
​
​​​​​​

​Awards​​​​​​​​

American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) and National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)

​Read about the Gold Medal Award Program HERE. 

American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Central States Conference
  • 2021 Award of Excellence
    Pracht Wetlands Park

Aquatics International 

Association of Aquatic Professionals

  • June 2023 Competitor Aquatic Professional of the Month
    Joe Marten, Aquatics Manager

Commission for the Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA)

Learn more about CAPRA Accreditation HERE.

  • Re-accredited in 2021.
  • Accredited in 2016.

Department of the Interior

DeVore Foundation

National Recreation & Park Association (NRPA) Awards

Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), Kansas Chapter

  • ​​2020 Bill Strausbaugh Award
    Colin O’Bryan, Arthur B. Sim Golf Professional​
  • 2019 Player Development Award
    Colin O’Bryan, Arthur B. Sim Golf Professional​
  • 2018 Teacher of the Year
    Colin O’Bryan, Arthur B. Sim Golf Professional
  • 2018 Junior Player Development Award
    Colin O’Bryan, Arthur B. Sim Golf Professional
Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), South Central Section
  • ​2021 Golf Professional of the Year
    Troy Hendricks, Golf Director
  • 2019 Public Merchandiser of the Year
    Scot Weller, Auburn Hills Golf Professional 
  • 2019 Bill Strausbaugh Award
    Troy Hendricks, Golf Director
  • 2015 Public Merchandiser of the Year
    Steve Blaske, Tex Consolver Golf Professional​

Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center

  • 2021 Partnership Award
    Edgemoor Recreation Center

Starkey, Inc. 

  • 2021 Business Partner Award
    Troy Houtman, Park Director

United States Tennis Association (USTA) Kansas

  • 2020 Outstanding Contributor to Youth Tennis Programs Award
    Sara Rasmussen, Facility Director of the RWRTC

Wichita Business Journal

  • 2020 Administrative Excellence Award
    Shana Appelhanz, Assistant Golf Division Manager
    ​

Kansas Recreation & Parks Association (KRPA)

2023

  • Outstanding Recreation Branch Professional 
    Matt Martine​​z, Evergreen Recreation Center Director
  • Distinguished Fellow 
    Troy Houtman, Director of Park and Recreation
  • Distinguished Elected Official 
    Jeff Blubaugh, Council Member District 4
  • Distinguished Public Service Organization
    Major Nancy Powers, Salvation Army

2022

  • Outstanding Aquatics Branch Professional 
    Brian Hill, Aquatics Manager
  • Outstanding Park and Natural Resource Branch Professional 
    Bret Russell, General Maintenance Supervisor
  • Outstanding Sports Branch Professional 
    Angela Buckner, Lynette Woodard Recreation Center Director
  • Outstanding New and Innovative Wellness Program 
    Youth Rowing Program (partnership with Shocker Rowing and Wichita Rowing Association)
  • Distinguished Volunteer 
    Claire Willenberg, restoration of Fresh Air Baby Camp
  • Distinguished Elected Official 
    Brandon Johnson, Council Member District 1

2021

  • Distinguished Elected Official 
    Becky Tuttle, Council Member District 2
  • Distinguished Board Member
    Eddie Fahnestock, Board of Park Commissioners President
  • Distinguished Volunteer 
    Brent Thomas, Wichita Parks Foundation Chairman
  • Distinguished Public Service Organization 
    ​Plates for Parks, Wichita Parks Foundation

2020

  • Outstanding Administrative Leadership
    Reggie Davidson, Superintendent of Recreation
  • Outstanding Recreation Branch Professional
    Barbara McGuire, Program Specialist
  • Outstanding Sports Branch Professional
    Sara Rasmussen, Facility Director of the Ralph Wulz Riverside Tennis Center
  • Outstanding New and Innovative Aquatics Program
    Dive-In Movies

2019

  • Outstanding Administrative Leadership
    Troy Houtman, Director of Park and Recreation
  • Outstanding Park and Natural Resource Branch Professional
    Warren McCoskey, General Maintenance Supervisor
  • Outstanding New and Innovative Park Project
    Pracht Wetlands
  • Outstanding Recreation Branch Professional
    Angela Buckner, Lynette Woodard Recreation Center Director
  • Outstanding New and Innovative Recreation Program
    Open Streets ICT
  • Outstanding Sports Branch Professional
    Daniel Sack, Athletics Assistant

2018

  • Outstanding Administrative Leadership
    David McGuire, Superintendent of Park Maintenance and Forestry
  • Outstanding Park and Natural Resource Branch Professional
    Gary Farris, City Arborist
  • Outstanding Recreation Branch Professional
    Lisa Klaassen, Linwood Recreation Center Director

2017

  • Outstanding Park and Natural Resource Branch Professional
    Jim Mason, Director of the Great Plains Nature Center
  • Outstanding Recreation Branch Professional
    Alan Taber, Recreation Center Director
  • Outstanding Sports Branch Professional
    Daniel Sack, Athletics Assistant
  • Distinguished Board Member
    Janet Miller, Board of Park Commissioners President
  • Distinguished Service
    Jan Long, Engineering Technician
  • Distinguished Public Service Organization
    Bike Walk Wichita
  • Distinguished Elected Official
    Lavonta Williams, Council Member District 1

2016

  • Outstanding Aquatics Branch Professional
    Brian Hill, Aquatics Manager
  • Outstanding Recreation Branch Professional
    Alan Taber, Recreation Center Director
  • Outstanding New and Innovative Recreation Program
    Barry Recreation Station
  • Outstanding Sports Branch Professional
    Mickey Lara, Athletics Manager
  • Outstanding New and Innovative Sports Program
    Foot Golf