Home Awards & Scholarships ARPA Awards Inclusion Award
The Inclusion Award celebrates the forward-thinking efforts of communities, organizations, or individuals in Alberta who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to championing inclusion initiatives, change, or practices within the recreation and parks sector.
Inclusion is the practice of providing everyone with equitable access to opportunities and resources that help enhance and respect the equity and diversity of all individuals. These strategies are vital to reducing inequities and ensuring the benefits of recreation are universal. Inclusive actions foster a sense of belonging and make recreation and parks spaces a safer, more welcoming, and respectful environment for all.
Alberta Recreation & Parks Association membership is encouraged and may be prioritized in the selection process.
Communities or Organizations include:
The initiative must:
Nominations are now closed.
The ARPA Awards and Scholarships Committee with representation from all aspects of the recreation and parks sector and across the province will select the award recipient. The committee will evaluate the nominations by rating:
Nominees must have demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering inclusion within the recreation and parks sector, actively promoting equity, diversity, and social justice principles in their initiatives, policies, and practices.
Successful nominees will have been instrumental in the creation, implementation, or facilitation of initiatives or programs that promote social justice, equity, diversity, and/or inclusion within the recreation and parks sector. These initiatives may include but are not limited to, accessibility improvements, diversity training, inclusive programming, or community engagement efforts.
The nominated initiative should have a significant and measurable impact on promoting inclusion and creating more equitable and accessible recreational opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds and abilities within the community. Nominees should provide evidence of the initiative’s reach and effectiveness in fostering inclusion and diversity.
The nominated initiative should actively promote social justice, equity, and fairness within the recreation and parks sector, advocating for the rights and needs of marginalized and underrepresented groups. Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to addressing systemic barriers and promoting a more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities.
Nominees should outline plans for the long-term sustainability and impact of their inclusion initiatives, including strategies for ongoing evaluation, improvement, and expansion. The initiative should leave a lasting legacy of inclusion and diversity within the recreation and parks sector.
The Alberta Recreation & Parks Association presents the award during the ARPA Conference & Energize Workshop.
Hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm (open Monday-Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-415-1745
Email: awards@arpaonline.ca
The Alberta Recreation & Parks Association would like to acknowledge the First Nations, the Métis, the Inuit and all of the people across Alberta who share a history and a deep connection with this land. We dedicate ourselves to moving forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.