IPRA 2021 Awards of Excellence Winners, continued from page 40

parks peers elected him Board President of IPRA in 2011. He continues to attend and enjoy IPRA’s annual conferences. Mr. Prather’s legacy to the parks department he helped create, is instilling his passion for parks in HCPR staff members and encouraging growth of a servant’s heart within each of them.

Allen Patterson

Allen served as Director of Parks for the City of Connersville and Hamilton County. Allen was a dedicated IPRA member for over thirty years. He served the Association as President, he was a board member for many years, executive committee member for many years, chaired the Legislative and

Conference committees several times each. Allen represented Indiana on the NRPA Great Lakes Regional Council, he represented IPRA on the legislative committees for Indiana Cities and Towns, and Indiana Association of Counties. Allen was appointed by Governors Daniels, Pence, and Holcomb to represent parks and recreation on the Benjamin Harrison Trust Project selection committee. Allen was awarded the 2006 IPRA Outstanding Professional Award. Allen was a dedicated and active member of IPRA each of those 30 years. He loved the association and its members and was always willing to lend a hand and share his knowledge and experience with anyone who needed it. Allen was called upon and assisted many different communities when requested to help solve problems. Allen mentored many past and current IPRA professionals. Allen lists his staff (park family) among his greatest accomplishments in parks and recreation.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 for the Spring Dollars For Scholars Golf Outing at Eagle Creek Golf Course. We look forward to another successful year of raising funds for the IPRF Scholarship Fund, which supports the continuing education of park professionals and students in Indiana.