Staff receives state awards

The Iowa Parks and Recreation Association recognized two Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department employees Wednesday, March 28 at their annual conference.

Carolyn Hamilton, Aquatics Supervisor, received the Slattery/Trueblood Professional Award, the highest professional award bestowed by the organization. Hamilton has worked in the field for 35 years, 28 with Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation. She was involved in the planning and design of the outdoor aquatics facilities, supervises a staff of more than 175 each year, leads workshops at national conferences and serves as a role model for parks and recreation in training staff and managing facilities. Under her leadership the Department received a Best of Aquatics award from Aquatics International.

Jerry Kirk, Recreation Maintenance Manager, received the T. Ray Frame award. This award is given out annually to an outstanding maintenance person who has demonstrated a high level of skill and goes above and beyond what is expected. In addition to managing staff who maintain playgrounds, pools and recreation facilities, Kirk is a Certified Pool Operator and a Certified Playground Inspector. He promotes an atmosphere of shared ideas and trust with an emphasis on training. Jerry works across multiple divisions, taking on new responsibilities and coming up with creative ways to solve problems. In his personal life he serves as a volunteer firefighter and Mayor of Letts, IA.