Canton Leisure Services recently received special statewide recognition at the 2019 mParks Annual Conference and Trade Show, which was held earlier this month in Kalamazoo, Michigan. mParks, a statewide professional association for Michigan’s parks and recreation industry, honored Canton Leisure Services with two department awards: ‘Innovative Programming Award’ for the Summit on the Park’s Aquatic Center’s “Pumpkin Patch in the Pool” program, as well as a ‘Marketing Award for Best Graphic Design Piece’ for the 2018 Canton Farmers Market Season Brochure. In addition, Recreation Specialist Laura Mortier, CPRP, was presented with the ‘New Professional Award.’
Mortier was honored as a new professional in the parks and recreation industry for exhibiting outstanding service and promise to Canton Leisure Services, as well as to the mParks organization. Now serving in her second year on the mParks Board as a Director at Large, Mortier continues to make a significant impact on the Canton Community, mParks and in the parks and recreation profession.
Over the past few years, Mortier has been an instrumental force serving on several mParks committees, such as: the Youth & Teen Initiatives Committee and Women In Recreation Education & Development (WIRED). She has also leveraged her commitment to the mParks Board and her passion for the parks and recreation field by contributing to the advancement of mParks’ initiatives for growing diversity and youth development.
Within the Canton community, Mortier supervisors The B.L.O.C.K. Youth & Teen Center for area youth ages 11-17 with a successful hands-on approach. She has also launched Lead #LikeAGirl and Be a #ModelMan, two award-winning leadership programs for youth that remain in high-demand and receive continuous recognition for their success and innovation.
“Canton Leisure Services is honored to have such a dedicated employee who has been an outstanding member of our team promoting youth initiatives in our community,” said Greg Hohenberger, Canton Leisure Services Director. “Laura Mortier is one of those individuals who makes a difference in the lives of area youth by fostering a positive environment where teens can find support and encouragement that will serve them as they move forward in life. I’m confident that her contributions to the parks and recreation industry will also continue to be exemplary and add value wherever she puts her energies and attention.”
mParks’ annual awards recognize parks and recreation professionals, agencies, advocates and legislators, who provide enriching and engaging experiences that support the state of Michigan’s recreation industry, which has long been an important economic driver by inspiring tourism, supporting jobs and improving health and wellness for residents and visitors.
mParks is a statewide professional association for Michigan’s parks and recreation agencies that is committed to educating and inspiring a diverse membership of 2,000+ parks and recreation professionals, agencies, advocates and vendors. mParks also serves as the voice for the industry, promoting and advocating for parks and recreation as an invaluable resource for community, economy and public health. Learn more about mParks at www.mparks.org.
Canton Leisure Services has been accredited since 2004 by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), which recognizes park and recreation agencies for excellence in operation and service. Currently, there are 175 CAPRA accredited agencies in the United States. Canton Leisure Services was also recognized as the 2008 winner of the National Recreation and Parks Association Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.
For more information about Canton’s award-winning programs and other Canton Leisure Services classes, programs and events, please visit www.cantonfun.org or call 734/394-5460.