Parks and Recreation, Long-Time Employee Honored with Prestigious Awards for Outstanding Service

The Indiana Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) at their annual conference today in French Lick, Ind. presented Parks and Recreation with the "Outstanding Agency" Award of Excellence. Becky Higgins, Recreation Services Director, received the "Distinguished Life Member" Award of Excellence.

“Today we celebrate not only an extraordinary honor for our Parks and Recreation but also the dedication of our very own Becky Higgins,” said Mayor Kerry Thomson. “These awards highlight our dedication to creating vibrant, inclusive spaces where everyone in our community can gather, play, and enjoy the natural beauty Bloomington offers. Our parks bring us together and this recognition emphasizes the outstanding work our team does each day to enrich our lives and improve our community.”

Bloomington's Parks and Recreation Department was selected as Indiana's outstanding Parks and Recreation agency for 2024 due in part to its level of involvement in statewide parks and recreation initiatives, including commitments to sustainability and accessibility of parks programs and facilities.

The Outstanding Agency nomination also highlighted significant events and projects, including the "Celestial Spectacle" celebration of the total solar eclipse in April, the completion of the South Shore Trail at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, and community input and involvement in the master planning process for Building Trades Park.

"We are honored to be recognized by our state association for the thoughtful and progressive ways we serve our community," said Parks and Recreation Administrator Tim Street. "Our staff strives every day to steward our properties and resources for the use and enjoyment of the entire community."

IPRA's Distinguished Life Member award acknowledges a parks and recreation professional who has dedicated their career to improving the quality of life for their community. IPRA presented the 2024 Distinguished Life Member Award of Excellence to Parks and Recreation's Recreation Services Director Becky Higgins.

Higgins  joined Parks and Recreation in 1998 as the Community Events Manager. During her time leading the community events program area, Parks and Recreation introduced programs such as  Drool in the Pool, a dog swimming event that takes place after the city's outdoor pools close for the season; the Holiday Market, the final Farmers' Market of the season that features small farmers and businesses, live entertainment, and the opportunity to shop local; and the Bloomington Pumpkin Launch. Higgins was also responsible for the creation of The Great Outdoors series of natural resource education programs.

Higgins' impact on the parks and recreation field has been felt on the local, state and national stages. She spent nine years on the program committee of the National Recreation and Park Association, has been a three-time president of IPRA and a four-time president of Downtown Bloomington, Inc.

Higgins made significant contributions to the Indiana University Executive Development Program, and has served as chair of that board since 2009. She mentors students at the IU School of Public Health as an adjunct instructor for a course where students learn event planning and programming techniques through real-world experiences in service learning. 

"Throughout her career, Becky Higgins has inspired our team with her dedication, creativity, and commitment to offering quality recreation programs to our community," Street said. "This award not only acknowledges Becky's exceptional achievements but also celebrates her legacy of service that will continue to impact our city for years to come."

For information about the IPRA Awards of Excellence, visit the Indiana Park and Recreation Association website. For more information about Parks and Recreation programs and events, follow City of Bloomington, IN - Parks and Recreation on Facebook or call 812-349-3700. ​