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Kaj H. Dentler, Director of P&R, accepting the 2005 National Gold Medal Award |
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In 1996, many good things happened for the department. The Sports Foundation Inc. awarded a gold medal to the department for excellence in the field of park and recreation management. New leadership came to the department, Kaj Dentler, was hired as the new Director. Kaj and the staff developed new goals, objectives, and mission and vision statement to guide the department.
In 2005, the department was awarded the National Gold Medal Award for a second time, presented by The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), for excellence in the field of park and recreation management. The most prestigious award of its kind, the Gold Medal honors communities throughout the
Currently, the Town of Leesburg Parks and Recreation Department is comprised of 35 full-time staff & 9 regular part-time staff and there are numerous seasonal and temporary part-time staff. The department manages and maintains 371 acres of parkland, a Skate Park, and one recreation and aquatic facility. The department offers a large variety of recreation classes, from learn to swim classes to sports leagues.
The department is diligently working on plans to develop additional parkland, ball fields, tennis courts, and pedestrian trails. We would enjoy your comments on the department and the parks in the town; you can e-mail us at Systems Technician or call (703) 737-7153.
Department Highlights of the past six years:
- January 2006 – The Proposed Plan of Action for the use of the A.V. Symington donation was approved by Town Council, providing public recreation improvements at Ida Lee park. The Proposed Plan allows for the possibility of acquiring land adjacent to Ida Lee Park, building an Outdoor Pool, and building an Indoor Tennis Center. (Proposed Plan Resolution signed by the Mayor of Leesburg)
- April 2003 - The department opened Freedom Park, a 20-acre park with 4 baseball/softball
fields, one football/soccer field, a field house with concession stand, a picnic
pavilion, and batting cages.
- November 2002 – The department opened the expansion of the Ida Lee
Park Recreation Center. Now the center features 71,000 square feet of fitness
and recreation.
- September 2001- The Ida Lee Tennis Center opened featuring 7-deco sport surface courts. Six of the courts are lighted.
- July 2000 – We began leasing the land and building at Olde Izzak Walton
Park.
- October 1998 – The Catoctin Skate Park, a street skate park with half pipes, quarter pipes, rails, ramps, and fun boxes open for operation. This effort was driven by the support of the Friends of Ida Lee Park.
Awards the department has received over the years:
- 2007 - International Festivals and Events Association Gold Award for Best Event Photograph - Independence Day Parade
- 2007 - International Festivals and Events Association Silver Award for Best Promotional Brochure - Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival Walk Around Brochure
- 2007 - Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Promotional Effort Award for Circular/Flyer - Holidays in Leesburg Postcard
- 2006 - Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best New Program Award - Recreation Outreach to Community Kids (R.O.C.K.)
- 2006 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best New Program Award – Recreation Outreach to Community Kids (R.O.C.K.)
- 2006 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Promotional Effort Award for T-Shirt – Freeze Your Gizzard 5K Cross Country Race
- 2006 – International Festivals and Events Association Bronze Award for Best Ad Series – Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival
- 2005 - National Gold Medal Award Winner - Press Release
- 2005 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Promotional Effort Award Circular/Flyer – Ida Lee, The Place That Makes Your Meeting, Workshop, or Celebration a Memorable Event!
- 2005 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Promotional Effort Award for Basic Promotional Piece – Ida Lee, Your Guide to Family, Fun and Fitness!
- 2005 – International Festivals and Events Association Silver Award for Best Singles Magazine Display Ad – Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival
- 2005 – International Festivals and Events Association Silver Award for Best Other Merchandise – A Day In The Park Dog Bandana
- 2003 – 13 th Annual Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival was voted as the Virginia Governor’s Travel and Tourism Outstanding On-going Event of the Year
- 2003 – Ida Lee Tennis Center was voted “Best Tennis Facility” by the USTA Virginia Chapter
- 2002 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best New Facility Renovation/Addition
- 2002 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Specialty Marketing Piece – Grand Opening Rack Card
- 2002 – United States Tennis Association (USTA) Outstanding Public Tennis Center
- 2000 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Specialty Marketing Piece – Holiday Poster
- 2000 – Winner of the Washington Metropolitan Lifeguard Competition
- 1998 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Specialty Marketing Piece – Play in the Parks of Leesburg
- 1996 – National Gold Medal Award Winner
- 1996 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Specialty Marketing Piece – Holidays at Ida Lee Park Recreation Center
- 1996 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Basic Promotional Effort – Welcome to Ida Lee Park Recreation Center
- 1996 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Presidential Award
- 1995 – National Gold Medal Award Finalist
- 1995 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Circular Flyer Promotional Effort – Plan a Wild Birthday Party
- 1995 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best New Program Award – World War II Commemoration Day
- 1994 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Specialty Promotional Effort – Leesburg is Your Park Place
- 1994 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Circular Flyer Promotional Effort – Leesburg-Loudoun Arbor Day Program
- 1993 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Basic Promotional Piece Award – Summer Seasonal Brochure
- 1992 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Circular Flyer Promotional Effort – Come Let Us Entertain You at Ida Lee
- 1991 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Specialty Promotional Award – Ida Lee Park Recreation Center Membership Card
- 1991 – The Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award Certificate of Recognition for Resource Planning
- 1991 – Silver Medal – National Spa and Pool Institute Design Award Presented by Hughes Group Architects, Inc.
- 1990 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Basic Promotional Award – Leesburg at Leisure
- 1990 – Virginia Recreation and Park Society Best Specialty Promotional Award – Leesburg Gifts Catalog
