Stephanie Stephens named 2018 PlayCore Hero at NRPA Annual Conference

SOURCE: PlayCore

CPRS Executive Director chosen for her passionate dedication to building communities through play and recreation

PlayCore, a Chattanooga based company that promotes its mission and values by giving back to communities in a variety of ways, bestows its annual Hero award as a way to recognize the inspirational people they meet throughout the course of business. The 2018 award was presented at an industry event in Indianapolis, IN, on September 25, 2018.

Stephanie Stephens, Executive Director, California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS), was the recipient of the 2018 PlayCore Hero Award for her commitment to building communities in California through play and recreation. The Hero Award embodies servant leadership, those who give selflessly with a goal of improving lives and active behavior in their communities and the world.

“As a company that lives by its Mission and Values, PlayCore created the Hero Award to honor people who have made a career of giving back selflessly, with complete dedication to improving the communities they serve,” PlayCore CEO Roger Posacki explains.

Stephens has been a champion in creating new spaces for families to play and gather throughout her career.  During her almost 5 year tenure in California, she has seen a 10% increase in association membership and created multiple partnership opportunities for the professionals she serves.  Most recently, she took part in a statewide road trip to celebrate several of the more than 30 new research-based play and recreation spaces created as part of the Healthy Play Initiative, a state-wide collaborative partnership to promote health and active families. Meeting the families whose lives are so positively impacted by the new play and recreation spaces was a highlight of the tour.

Stephens’ commitment to improving community health and wellness will ensure active lifestyles for children, families, and communities for years to come. ’Joining forces with our friends at PlayCore just made sense.  The connection between our members, PlayCore’s high quality education and our joint desire to create healthy, active communities in California made this an ideal partnership.  While I am very honored to receive this award, those professionals who bring these kinds of projects to life for their communities are the real heroes!’

As part of the Hero Award, PlayCore will make donations to Stephens’ two charities of choice - the United Way of Tucson for their Day of Caring event, and the Sacramento SPCA for their Paws for Health Program. 

About the PlayCore Hero Award: PlayCore’s Hero award recognizes individuals that make a difference in the recreation and park profession. The Hero Award embodies servant leadership, those who give selflessly with a goal of improving lives and active behavior in their communities and the world. Their dedication reflects PlayCore’s Mission and Values.

About PlayCore: PlayCore is a purpose driven Company committed to building stronger communities around the world by advancing play and recreation.  The company infuses scholarly learning, through its Center for Outreach, Research, and Education, into its comprehensive family of brands. PlayCore combines best-in-class educational programming with the most comprehensive portfolio of play and recreation products and services to create tailored solutions that match the unique needs of each community served. Learn more at http://www.playcore.com