The City of Kettering Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department COVID-19 safety information can be found at playkettering.org/covid19
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Department Information

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Welcome to the website for Kettering's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department! We strive to enhance the quality of life for all residents and to distinguish Kettering as a community of choice. For facility addresses, phone numbers and to get in touch with us via email, visit our Contact page.

MISSION STATEMENT

We are here to provide quality parks, recreation and cultural arts that make Kettering home.

VISION STATEMENT

We envision an exceptional and engaging parks, recreation and cultural arts department that improves the quality of life for everyone in our community.

VALUES STATEMENT

We make the experience successful for each customer through providing quality service focused on community.

 WELCOME

The City of Kettering Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department strives to provide parks, recreation and cultural arts spaces, places and programs that make Kettering home. The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department was established in 1966, just eleven years after the incorporation of the City of Kettering. The department is a 2014 winner of the National Gold Medal Award which recognizes excellence in the parks and recreation field.  In 1996, the department also became the first parks and recreation department in the state to become nationally accredited.  The department has since been re-accredited four times, in 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016.

Find out more about our department

Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

Upon entering a City of Kettering recreation facility or grounds, you are a participant of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department and are required to abide by the rules of the department. We are here to provide quality parks, recreation and cultural arts that make Kettering home. Your cooperation and consideration of this Code of Conduct helps ensure that all participants can enjoy our programs, facilities and parks.

1. In case of emergency, dial 911.

2. Respect the rights of other users.

3. Comply with requests from City of Kettering officials or staff members.

4. Proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn inside of facilities at all times except within locker rooms and swimming areas.

5. Bicycles or motorcycles must be parked in designated areas.

6. Animals are not permitted inside facilities; service animals are welcome.

7. Comply with additional rules for programs or facilities (i.e., gymnasium, ice rink, fitness center).

8. The following actions are prohibited in within City of Kettering programs, parks, and facilities:

    • Fighting, acts of aggression, threatening behavior and/or disorderly conduct.
    • Insulting, vulgar and/or disrespectful language.
    • Destruction, defacing, vandalism and/or theft of City property, including littering.
    • Use of tobacco products, except for specifically designated outdoor areas. This includes use of electronic devices that deliver vapor for inhalation (excluding devices that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sale as a medical device).
    • Possession of weapons, except as allowed by the Ohio Revised Code.
    • Consumption of any alcoholic beverages on City property (per Chapter 612.12 of the City ordinance) unless a special event permit is obtained from the State of Ohio.
    • Use, possession and/or selling of illegal drugs.
    • Gambling
    • Loitering

Annual Reports

Annual Reports

The most recent department annual report is available as a PDF download:

Financial Reports

The financial health of the department is critical to our success. We monitor our cost recovery by cost center. The file below shows a five-year average of our cost recovery and the budgeted cost recovery for 2015.

Cost Recovery

Budgeting

The department’s budget can be found on the Finance department page in the City’s overall budget.

Our Refund Policy

Refund Policy

Our commitment is to make your experience successful. If you would like a refund, please contact us to discuss your experience.

Refund requests must be made within two weeks of a registered program’s end date. For a full refund, requests must be made at least three days prior to the start of the program; otherwise a prorated refund of up to 75% will be offered. Special consideration may be given for life-altering situations and one-day experiences.

If payment method was cash, check or household credit, a refund will be via City check. There will be no cash refunds. If payment method was credit or debit card, a refund will be issued on the card used for payment.

This policy does not apply to facility rentals or pass purchases.

For more information call 296-2454 or email kettprca@ketteringoh.org.

Community Surveys

Patron Surveys

If you talk, we’ll listen!

We love to hear feedback from our customers. It’s how we ensure we are delivering on our mission to provide parks, recreation and cultural arts spaces, places and programs that make Kettering a premier community to live, work and play!

Program Evaluation Survey

Use the button above to complete a short 7 question survey related to your experience.

Facility Evaluation Survey

Use the button above to complete a short 13 question survey related to your experience.

Community Surveys and Plans

We are focused on continuous improvement and feedback from our residents. We’ve conducted a number of surveys every few years to establish priorities for programs and facilities.

2017 Community Survey

ETC Institute administered a community survey for the City of Kettering during the spring of 2017. The survey was administered as part of the City of Kettering’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department’s efforts to provide quality services that the citizens of Kettering need and value. A total of 607 residents completed the survey. The survey was administered through a combination of mail and online responses. View the executive summary. For a full version of the survey, please email kettprca@ketteringoh.org.

2013 Community Survey

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts department hired Leisure Vision, a Division of ETC Institute, in 2013 to conduct a Community Survey. The purpose of the survey was to establish priorities for providing recreational and art programming and services for the community. The survey was designed to obtain statistically valid results from households throughout the City of Kettering. The survey was administered by a combination of mail, phone, and online. View the executive summary. For a full version of the survey, please email kettprca@ketteringoh.org.

2013 Citywide Public Opinion Survey

The City of Kettering hired the Center for Urban Affairs (CUPA) at Wright State University in 2013 to conduct a Public Opinion Survey. The survey was conducted as a telephone survey of 400 individuals living within the Kettering City limits. Staff from CUPA worked in conjunction with the City of Kettering to update the questionnaire. The questionnaire contained 75 questions. View the executive summary. For a full version of the survey, please email kettprca@ketteringoh.org.

2013 Strategic Plan

The City of Kettering Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department (PRCA) hired Heller and Heller Consulting, Inc to facilitate and develop a strategic plan in collaboration with staff. The intent of the Plan is to create a future direction for the agency as well as incorporate all of the various existing plans and information into one forward thinking document. The various plans reviewed included the 2004 Pricing and Organizational Analysis, 2005 Financial Analysis, 2006 Parks Master Plan, 2006 Program Needs Assessment, 2007 Search Institute Survey, 2007 Senior Needs Assessment, 2008 Attitude & Interest Survey and 2008 Facility Master Plan. View the executive summary and the Balanced Scorecard items. For a full version of the survey, please email kettprca@ketteringoh.org.

2010 Community Survey

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts department hired Leisure Vision, a Division of ETC Institute, in 2010 to conduct a Community Survey. The survey consisted of a mail survey and incorporated reports from focus groups conducted by Wright State University. View the executive summary. For a full version of the survey, please email kettprca@ketteringoh.org.

2010 Citywide Public Opinion Survey

The City of Kettering hired the Center for Urban Affairs (CUPA) at Wright State University in 2010 to conduct a Public Opinion Survey. The survey was conducted as a telephone survey of 400 individuals living within the Kettering City limits. Staff from CUPA worked in conjunction with the City of Kettering to update the questionnaire. The questionnaire contained 88 questions. View the executive summary. For a full version of the survey, please email kettprca@ketteringoh.org.

2008 Community Attitude and Interest Survey

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts department hired Leisure Vision, a Division of ETC Institute, in 2008 to conduct a Community Attitude and Interest Survey. The survey was designed to obtain statistically valid results from households throughout the City of Kettering. The survey was administered by phone and provided feedback from the community on facilities residents valued most and desired to see improved using bond levy funding. View the survey results.

2008 Master Plan

Lorenz Williams and Brandstetter Carroll completed a master plan for facilities owned by the City of Kettering and administered by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts. The master plan was developed in preparation of a Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts bond issue that was approved by voters in the November 2008 election.

The concepts and cost estimates contained in the master plan were in accordance with the $12.3 million budget of the proposed bond issue. In addition, city leaders had agreed to earmark $5 million in general funds for this initiative. View the executive summary. For a full version of the survey, please email kettprca@ketteringoh.org.

2006 Financial Analysis

PROS Consulting was retained by the City to provide Financial Analysis services for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department. The Financial Analysis reviewed the operational and financial situation of PRCA to document the subsidy levels of each program and facility and to develop organizational and systematic processes to make more informed decisions on budgeting, pricing, and operational efficiency. View the full document.

2006 Needs Assessment

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts department partnered with Wright State University’s Center for Urban and Public Affairs in 2006 to complete a needs assessment. The assessment consisted of a telephone survey and a series of focus groups with stakeholder groups. View the executive summary. For a full version of the assessment, please email kettprca@ketteringoh.org.

 

Our History

YearEvent
Nov 1952Voters of Van Buren Township approved incorporating the Village of Kettering
1954City Council established a Parks and Recreation Board
June 24, 1955Kettering was proclaimed a City by Secretary of the State of Ohio
First Parks and Recreation Master Plan developed
1/1/1956Voters approved adoption of Home Rule Charter and Council-Manager form of Government.
1956Master Plan updated
1961Community survey completed by the then National Recreation Association
Master Plan revised and updated
1965Parks and Recreation Board conducts survey to justify need for a full-time department.
1966Parks and Recreation Department is established; first full-time director is hired (Bill Richwine)
Prugh Park, Oak Creek Park adds 19.1 acres of park land.
1968Pondview Park adds 9.5 acres of park land; outdoor swim pool is leased (Stroop Road Pool).
1969Citizen task force, in cooperation with parks and recreation staff conduct city-wide recreation facility survey.  This resulted in major facility development in the City.
Tait Park, Croftshire Park and Glaser Park adds 12.9 acres of park land.
1970City completes Community Facilities Plan outlining long-range recreational needs.
Legacy for Parks Study completed by the County in cooperation with the City of Kettering
Established Senior Citizen Advisory Board.
1971Ernst Park and Richman Heights Park adds 26.4 acres of park land.
Open Space Plan developed by Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission in cooperation with the City of Kettering.
1972Rose E. Miller Center and Dorothy Lane School adds 14.0 acres of park land.
1973A three-volume Comprehensive Analysis of the City’s parks and recreation was completed by McFadzean, Everly and Association.  This five-year plan runs through 1978.
Kettering Recreation Complex (indoor/outdoor pool, recreation center) and Walther Park adds 54.5 acres of parks and facilities.
1974Kettering Ice Arena, Polen Farm and Irelan Park adds 31 acres of park land.
Reviewed and implemented all citizen and professional recommendations by the Parks and Recreation Board.
Computer program established to provide accurate information on expenditures and usage of all programs and facilities on a user hour basis.
1975Regularly used phone surveys to sample public opinion to various implementation or changes in procedures that directly affect the public.
Established a private and industrial Recreational Advisory Board to coordinate and assess all phases of recreation in this area.
1976Citizen and staff goals and objectives review task force formed.
State Farm Park addition of 11.5 acres of park land.
197776 acres of park land leased from Delco Products; maintenance garage added.
Charles “Charlie” Lathrem named Citizen of the Year by the Mayor of Kettering. Long-standing Kettering Parks and Recreation Board; original board member.
Kettering Parks and Recreation selected as National Recreation and Park Association’s Gold Medal Award winner for excellence in the field of parks and recreation management.
1978Finalist, Wes Francis Audio-Visual Excellence Award – N.R.P.A.
1979Winner, Best Videotape N.R.P.A./WAVE
1980Holt Community Center closes; exercise program moved to Dorothy Lane Baptist Church
1981Kettering City Swim Team was formed.
Dayton Philharmonic Women’s Association and Decorator’s Show House designed Polen Farm.
BMX Track opens at Delco Park.
1982Creation of Kettering Parks Foundation.   Charlie Lathrem, Dick Lawwill among founding fathers.
Finalist, All American City Award presented by U.S. Conference of Mayors and National League of Cities
OPRA Facilities Award for development of Polen Farm
OPRA Facilities Award for the cooperative development of a BMX bicycle track at Delco Park.
1983Runner up (1982) and Winner (1983) Holiday at Home Parade Float Contest
Ohio Governor’s Arbor Day Award for excellence in planting and care of quality street trees.
National Tree City Award for excellence in planting and maintenance of street trees.
Acquired Lincoln Park adding 16 acres of park land.
Enter into lease agreement with Kettering Schools for Rosewood Arts Centre
1984Finalist, Dayton Area Citizens Committee for Special Education (Doer Award) for contribution to educator and well-being of handicapped children.
Leased former school building and transformed into Rosewood Arts Centre
National Tree City Award for excellence in planting and maintenance of street trees.
Hired first full-time Community Arts Manager (Connie Campbell)
Kettering Parks Foundation received $80,000 in monetary gifts, endowments, land and services.
1986Kettering named finalist in N.P.F./N.R.P.A. Gold Medal Awards Program.
Charlie Lathrem named Grand Marshall of the Kettering Holiday at Home festivities.
Beavertown Cemetery Association turned over operation to City.
4th of July Celebration moved to Delco Park.
1988Bond For All Ages passed November 7, 1988 for a $10.7 million bond levy.  Funded renovations at the Kettering Recreation Complex including a new Water Park (first municipal family aquatic center of its type in the state of Ohio), walking-running track overlooking a gymnasium and a new Senior Adult wing named for Charles I. Lathrem, long-time supporter of parks and recreation.
Jerry Barnett, Kettering Park Advisory Board and Kettering Parks Foundation board member, named Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Service.
1989Stroop Road Pool closes upon completion of the new Water Park at the Kettering Recreation Complex.
1990Rose E. Miller closes upon completion of the new Charles I. Lathrem Senior Center, a new wing of the Kettering Recreation Complex
1991Fraze Pavilion for the Performing Arts opens
1992First Birthday Celebration for newly renovated Kettering Recreation Complex
Jerry Barnett, Kettering Park Advisory Board and Kettering Parks Foundation board member, named Outstanding Board Member by the Great Lakes Regional Council of the National Recreation and Parks Association
1994Dick Lawwill, Kettering Park Advisory Board and Kettering Parks Foundation board member, named Citizen of the Year by the Great Lakes Regional Council of the National Recreation and Parks Association
Kettering Parks and Recreation selected as National Recreation and Park Association’s Gold Medal Award winner for excellence in the field of parks and recreation management.
1996Awarded National Commission for Accredited Parks and Recreation Agencies; 1ST in Ohio.
Park Master Plan officially adopted as part of City’s Comprehensive Plan
1999Awarded by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association:

  • Delco Park won an outstanding award for park area development
  • Fraze brochure won an outstanding award for marketing
  • Kettering Youth Summit won an honorable mention
2000Awarded by Ohio Parks and Recreation Association for the following:

  • The Madhatters program won award of excellence under preschool category
  • Our Backyard Festival of Diversity program won outstanding award under youth program category
  • Outstanding Award under senior program for The Ukulelians
The Hermes Award awarded by the Dayton Ad Club to the Fraze Pavilion for direct marketing.
Certificate of Achievement to the Water Raves Water Park for NRPA Pool Cool Program
Parks Open Space Plan revised
2000-2013Kettering Ice Arena was awarded the Professional Skater’s Association’s Excellence on Ice, designating KIA as progressive training facility.  Arena has received this honor for 13 straight years.  Only the most progressive training facilities receive this award.
2001Awarded National Commission for Accredited Parks and Recreation Agencies; 2nd term
Kettering S.T.A.N.D. was presented the Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Youth Service.
2002Stone Exposition—Kettering Rocks!—was the first International Stone Carving Exposition in the United States.
2003, 2004Art on the Commons, named Top Ten Festivals in the Miami Valley by the Dayton Business Journal.
The Sunshine Artist Magazine, national publication for exhibiting artists, named Art on the Commons as the top ten best festivals for artists to show work in the country.
2003Charles I. Lathrem Senior Center won award of excellence for senior programs by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.
Kettering Schools and City worked together to develop land lab program at Southdale Nature Center and Pondview Park.
Kettering Connection Opens, provides senior services
2004-2005Rosewood Arts Centre, Top Ten Arts Organizations in the Miami Valley.
Healthy Ohioans Community Award in the suburban category by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.
2005American in Bloom National Competition – Award winner in 50,001-100,000 population category.
Fraze ranked in Pollstar’s Top 100 Amphitheaters Worldwide.
Skate Plaza is completed.
Awarded by Ohio Parks and Recreation Association:

  • Partners for Healthy Youth:  Youth Week won award of excellence for teen programs and events
  • Skate Plaza won award of excellence for park area development by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.
 Pros Financial Survey conducted.  New Pricing Manual developed.
Kettering Fitness and Wellness Center opens.
2006Awarded National Commission for Accredited Parks and Recreation Agencies; 3rd term
Awarded by Ohio Parks and Recreation Association:

  • Kettering Fitness & Wellness Center, Meritorious in Facility Award Category
  • Cops and Kids Camp, Meritorious in Program Awards-Youth Programs and Events Category
  • Picnic in your Park, Honorable Mention in Program Awards-Family Programs and Events Category
  • ABC’s in Kettering, Meritorious in Marketing-Broadcast Media Category
Parks Open Space Plan revised
Wright State University Program Assessment
Search Institute Survey conducted in Schools pertaining to youth developmental assets
2007

Awarded by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association:

Honorable Mention, Lincoln Park Lights, Kettering Youth Leadership Academy, Camp Funtastic by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association

Senior Transportation, Superior Senior Program

Seniors Needs Assessment
2008Fraze ranked in Pollstar’s Top 100 Amphitheaters Worldwide since 2005, ranked #51 for 2008.
Employee Wellness Program, Award of Merit, Management Innovation/Special Project Award
Bond levy passes in November 2008.   Bond levy funded renovations of all neighborhood parks, redesign of Adventure Reef (formerly Water Raves Water Park), included a new fitness wing and additional group exercise studios at the Kettering Recreation Complex.
Daniel Flaherty Park Excellence Award from Great Lakes Park Training Institute for the Skate Plaza.
Leisure Vision Program and Facility Needs Assessment
Lorenz Williams Facility Master Plan
WSU Open Space Study
2007-2008Dept. of Health – “Healthy Community Award” (Silver)
2009Great Lakes Regional Council/NRPA – Employee Wellness Program – Health and Fitness Award
The Partners for Healthy Youth Community Day of Service received an OPRA Award of Excellence for Outstanding Management Innovation
Business Week named Kettering as second best place to raise a family in Ohio
Outdoor water park added, funded by citizen approved bond levy in 2008.
2010Pondview Park Environmental Center grand opening.  Park was created from grant monies received from W.K. Kellogg Foundation via Midwest Community Venture Grant and matching funds raised by the City of Kettering.  Park is an interactive community park that utilizes a universal design technique to encourage families, schools and those with disabilities to learn about and restore nature where they live.
Awarded by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association

  • Pondview Park Environmental Learning Center, Award of Excellence in Park Area Development [Pondview was also one of three finalists for the prestigious “best-in-show” Governor’s Award for Parks and Recreation.
  • The EGG Intergenerational Program at Kennedy Park, Award of Excellence in Cross-Cultural/Intergenerational Programming
  • Kettering PRCA Broadcast Media Plan (television commercials), Award of Excellence in Marketing:  Broadcast Media
  • Partners for Healthy Youth Summer Food Initiative, Award of Excellence in Management Innovation
Bus Shelters – Mary Rogero, AIA of Rogero Buckman Architects, received Urban Design Award of Merit by the Dayton Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for design of Kettering Bus Shelters
Fraze ranked No. 14 in world for ticket sales in Pollstar’s Magazine.
Developed Strategic Master Plan 2010-2014
Leisure Vision Community Survey conducted
2011Renovations of all neighborhood parks completed, funded by passage of 2008 bond levy.  This includes the construction of Splash Pad at Kennedy.
Awarded National Commission for Accredited Parks and Recreation Agencies; 4th term
Grand Re-Opening of Adventure Reef on June 3, 2011.
Awarded by Ohio Parks and Recreation Association:

  • Construction Public Information Campaign, 1st Place, Marketing Category
  • Program Advisory Committee and Innovation Team, 1st Place, Management Innovation Category
  • Kennedy Park, 2nd Place, Park Area Development $1,000,000+ Category
  • KRC/Adventure Reef Water Park, 2nd Place, Facility $2,500,000+ Category
  • The Friendship Arch Public Art Project, 3rd Place, Cultural Arts Programming Category
New retractable roof added to the main pool, a state of the art roofing system.
National Recreation and Park Association Gold Medal Finalist
CitySites Kettering Art in Public Places unveiled three commissioned public art projects including the EGG at J. F. Kennedy Park by artists Beth Holyoke and Kaethi Seidl, and which involved the collaboration of over 550 participants; Friendship Arch by Tess Little which also involved the collaboration of over 285 participants and was unveiled at Wenzler Park; and Untitled, a stained glass piece by Erin McIntyre, installed at the Kettering Government Center.
Fraze Pavilion celebrated its 20th anniversary season.
2012Awarded by Ohio Parks and Recreation Association:

  • Asset Athletes, 1st Place, Sports Innovation Category
  • PBS Kids Day in the Park, 1st Place, Environmental Programs Category
  • Regional Recreation Accessibility Training, 1st Place, Management Innovation Category
National Recreation and Park Association Gold Medal Finalist
Dayton Business Journal ranks Rosewood as No. 2 for Top 15 Visual Arts Organizations in the Greater Dayton Area.
Received a $90,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development to study the feasibility of building a joint library/cultural arts center with Montgomery County Metro Library.
2013Awarded by Ohio Parks and Recreation Association:

  • The Habitat Environmental Education Center, 2nd Place, Facility Category
  • Art on the Playground, 2nd Place, Special Event Category
  • Uncovering Kettering, 3rd Place, Historical and Cultural Arts Category
  • Movin’ & Groovin’ Summer Camp Wellness Program, 3rd Place, Health and Wellness Category
  • Fraze Fan Fare, 3rd Place, Management Innovation Category
National Recreation and Park Association Gold Medal Finalist
Healthy Ohio – Healthy Worksite Silver Level Award, Ohio Department of Health
CitySites Kettering Art in Public Places commission artwork for public areas of the North and South Buildings at the Kettering Government Center:  Paintings by Jean Koeller and Katherine and sculpture by Hamilton Dixon.
Habitat Environmental Center at Southdale Park grand opening.
Pondview Park – additional renovations completed; accessibility grant funds received from the Dayton Foundation for additional enhancements to the park:  prairie viewing area, enhanced sensory garden and enhanced entry information deck.

Accreditation and Awards

Kettering PRCA Accredited for Fifth Time

The City of Kettering Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department joins the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning accreditation for the fifth time through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). This distinguished accomplishment was awarded during the 2016 NRPA Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for park and recreation agencies, and is a measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management and service to the community. This mark of distinction indicates that an agency has met rigorous standards related to the management and administration of lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety and services.

As part of the accreditation process, Kettering had to demonstrate compliance with 151 recognized standards and document all policies and procedures. Often the process helps identify efficiencies and heighten areas of accountability, all of which translate into higher quality service and operation to benefit the community.

The process for accreditation involves a formal application, self-assessments, a site visit by a team of trained visitors that results in a written report, and a hearing with the commission to grant accreditation.

For more information about CAPRA accreditation, visit www.nrpa.org/CAPRA.

Awards and Recognition

We’ve received numerous awards over the years for the work our amazing staff do every day. We share these with you, our residents as we all strive to make Kettering the Community to Live, Work and Play!

National Recreation & Park Association Awards & Recognition

NRPA Gold Medal in 1977, 1994 and 2014.   Finalist in 2011, 2012, 2013

Earned Accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies in 1996,  2001, 2006,  2011 and 2016

Great Lakes Regional Council/NRPA – Employee Wellness Program – 2009 Health and Fitness Award

Ohio Parks & Recreation Association Awards & Recognition

Skate Plaza won award of excellence for park area development in 2005

New & Improved Parent/Child Swim Lesson Program won outstanding award for youth programs and events, ages 0-5

Partners for Healthy Youth:  Youth Week won award of excellence for teen programs and events in 2005

Healthy Ohioans Community Award in 2004 and 2005 in the suburban category.

Charles I. Lathrem Senior Center won award of excellence for senior programs in 2003.

Fraze brochure won an outstanding award for marketing in 1999.

Delco Park won an outstanding award for park area development in 1999.

Kettering Youth Summit won an honorable mention in 1999.

The Madhatters program won award of excellence under preschool category in 2000.

Our Backyard Festival of Diversity program won outstanding award under youth program category in 2000.

Outstanding Award under senior program for The Ukulelians in 2000.

Kettering Fitness & Wellness Center, Meritorious in Facility Award Category, 2006

Cops and Kids Camp, Meritorious in Program Awards-Youth Programs and Events Category, 2006

Picnic in your Park, Honorable Mention in Program Awards-Family Programs and Events Category, 2006

ABC’s in Kettering, Meritorious in Marketing-Broadcast Media Category, 2006

Senior Transportation, Superior Senior Program, 2007

Honorable Mention, Lincoln Park Lights, Kettering Youth Leadership Academy, Camp Funtastic, 2007

Employee Wellness Program, Award of Merit, Management Innovation/Special Project Award, 2008

The Partners for Healthy Youth Community Day of Service received an OPRA Award of Excellence for Outstanding Management Innovation.  We beat out 5 other nominations in the state, 2009.

Pondview Park Environmental Learning Center, Award of Excellence in Park Area Development, 2010 Pondview was also one of three finalists for the prestigious “best-in-show” Governor’s Award for Parks and Recreation.

The EGG Intergenerational Program at Kennedy Park, Award of Excellence in Cross-Cultural/Intergenerational Programming, 2010

Kettering PRCA Broadcast Media Plan (television commercials), Award of Excellence in Marketing:  Broadcast Media, 2010

Partners for Healthy Youth Summer Food Initiative, Award of Excellence in Management Innovation, 2010

Construction Public Information Campaign, 1st Place, Marketing – Print, 2011

Program Advisory Committee and Innovation team, 1st Place, Management Innovation, 2011

Kennedy Park, 2nd Place, Park Area Development, $1,000,000 – Higher, 2011

KRC/Adventure Reef Water Park, 2nd Place, Facility $2,500,000 – Higher, 2011

The Friendship Arch Public Art Project, 3rd Place, Cultural Arts Programming, 2011

Asset Athletes – Sports Innovation – 1st Place, 2012

PBS Kids Day in the Park –  Environmental Programs, 1st Place, 2012

Regional Recreation Accessibility Training – Management Innovation, 1st Place 2012

The Habitat Environmental Education Center – Facility Award, 2nd Place, 2013

Art on the Playground – Special Event Award, 2nd Place, 2013

Uncovering Kettering – Historical and Cultural Arts Award, 3rd Place, 2013

Movin’ & Groovin’ Summer Camp Wellness Program, Health & Wellness Award, 3rd Place, 2013

Fraze Fan Fare, Management Innovation Award, 3rd Place, 2013

Miscellaneous Awards & Recognition

2008 Daniel Flaherty Park Excellence Award from Great Lakes Park Training Institute for the Skate Plaza.

Ohio Department of Health – “Healthy Community Award” (Silver) 2007 and 2008.

Business Week named Kettering as second best place to raise a family in Ohio—2009.

Kettering S.T.A.N.D. was presented the Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Youth Service in 2001.

Grandparent Friendly Community Award in 2000.

Dayton Business Journal ranks Polen Farm as one of largest banquet facilities in the Dayton area.

American in Bloom National Competition – Award winner in 50,001-100,000 population category

The 2013 Healthy Ohio-Healthy Workplace Silver Level Award.

The 2015 Healthy Ohio-Healthy Workplace Silver Level Award.

Aquatics Awards & Recognition

2004 Kettering City Swim Team received the 2nd place in the small team division at The Ohio State Championship Meet.

2004 Scholarship to NRPA Aquatic Conference in Charleston, SC was awarded to Tammy Erdmann

2000 Certificate of Achievement to the Water Raves Water Park for NRPA Pool Cool Program

1996 First place at the American Red Cross Lifeguard Competition

1997 Third place at the American Red Cross Lifeguard Competition

Arena Awards & Recognition

Excellence on Ice Award from the Professional Skaters Association every year since 2001.

Fraze Awards & Recognition

Fraze ranked in Pollstar’s Top 100 Amphitheaters Worldwide since 2005, ranked #51 for 2008.

Fraze ranked No. 14 in world for ticket sales in Pollstar’s Magazine in 2010.

In 2000 the Hermes Award awarded by the Dayton Ad Club to the Fraze Pavilion for direct marketing.

Sheryl Crow DVD was taped live at Fraze in 2003.

Rosewood Arts Centre Awards & Recognition

Rosewood Arts Centre, Top Ten Arts Organizations in the Miami Valley, 2004 and 2005

Stone Exposition—Kettering Rocks!—was the first International Stone Carving Exposition in the United States.

The Sunshine Artist Magazine, national publication for exhibiting artists, named Art on the Commons as the top ten best festivals for artists to show work in the country.

Bus Shelters – Mary Rogero, AIA of Rogero Buckman Architects, received Urban Design Award of Merit by the Dayton Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for design of Kettering Bus Shelters in 2010.

Art on the Commons, named Top Ten Festivals in the Miami Valley by the Dayton Business Journal in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Dayton Business Journal ranks Rosewood as Number Two in 2012 for Top 15 Visual Arts Organizations in the greater Dayton area.

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