(Dublin) – The City of Dublin has earned two first place Awards of Excellence from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA):
- First Place, Management Innovation – Aquatics Summer Staff Incentive Program
- First Place, Marketing Innovation – The Dublin Irish Festival App Fueled by EASE Logistics
The City of Dublin Aquatics team consists of 200 seasonal employees ranging from lifeguards, to pool managers, to concession workers and more. This year, the management team devised an incentive program to energize staff for the 2019 season. Inspired by the popular Harry Potter series, summer staff were randomly divided into four teams and “accepted” to a House at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry. Teams worked together throughout the summer to earn points toward their House totals by completing tasks, or participating in special activities like an in-water Quidditch match. At the end of the summer, the team with the most points earned a themed pizza party.
“We look forward to improving and continuing this incentive program for many summers to come,” said Kate Futty, Aquatics Operations Coordinator for the City.
The Community Events team launched the first Dublin Irish Festival mobile app this year, offering an interactive alternative to the festival’s printed brochure. Through the use of technology, the primary purpose of the app was not only to enhance the guest experience, but also to serve as a mass communication tool for dispersing urgent safety information during the festival. By downloading the free app, guests could personalize their own festival schedule, search for general festival information, receive critical emergency updates, connect with social media, and view sponsor websites. Local logistics and freight management company EASE Logistics sponsored the project. The app was downloaded more than 10,000 times between its launch on June 15 through the festival weekend.
“Moving forward, the app will allow Events staff to continue engagement with festival guests year round,” said Mary Jo DiSalvo, Event Administrator for the City. “The many benefits of the app continue to unfold and staff are confident app usage will continue to grow.”
The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on February 4, 2020 at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio. One first place award winner will be presented with the 2019 Governor’s Award for Parks and Recreation, a “best-in-show” award which includes a $500 contribution to the parks and recreation foundation of the agency winner. The awards are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio.
“Parks and recreation professionals throughout Ohio work every day to improve the quality of life of the people they serve,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “These efforts are a shining example of that kind of work, and we are pleased to be able to present these awards.”
About OPRA
Incorporated in 1963, OPRA is a non-profit, public interest organization representing over 1400 professionals and citizen board members striving to provide quality parks and recreation facilities and opportunities for all Ohioans while protecting and preserving Ohio’s natural resources, positively impacting local economies and health and wellness of its citizens.
Media Contact:
Sarah McQuaide, Public Information Officer
614.410.4523 – Desk
614.593.9438 – Cell
smcquaide@dublin.oh.us
Newsroom: http://dublinohiousa.gov/newsroom/
