James City County Parks & Recreation received seven awards from the Virginia Recreation & Park Society (VRPS) at its 72nd Annual Conference, which took place in Roanoke, Virginia from October 26-29. The event brought together more than 600 participants, including delegates, exhibitors, speakers, and volunteers from across the state. The annual conference serves as a platform for professionals in recreation and parks to exchange ideas and recognize achievements within the field.
The awards presented to James City County were in the population category of 50,001-100,000 and covered a range of categories:
Judy Kinshaw-Ellis was recognized for Distinguished Volunteer Service. According to the release, “Judy has been a driving force behind some of Parks & Recreation’s most impactful stewardship projects, including the $30,000 Riparian Duffer Demonstration Garden project. Her passion, leadership and hands-on commitment have contributed more than $60,000 in volunteer value to the County, leaving a lasting legacy of stewardship and community engagement.”
The Eastern Virginia Mountain Bike Association received the Distinguished Private Sector award. The statement notes that “Since 1988, the Eastern Virginia Mountainbike Association (EVMA) has supported the Hampton Roads mountain biking community through trail building, maintenance and programming. EVMA manages nearly 25 miles of trails at Freedom and Upper County Parks, enhancing outdoor recreation with group rides, women-only events and technical trail features. With over 250 volunteers contributing 300+ hours annually, their impact is immense—valued at over $10,500 each year.”
Kelley Herbert was honored with Distinguished Service for her work as Recreation Services Administrator. The release states: “A standout leader whose resilience, compassion and dedication define her 17-plus years of experience in the parks and recreation field. While stepping into countless roles, she led with integrity during times of transition and championed equitable access to programs for all. Her mentorship, vision and tireless work have made a lasting impact on the team, community and the VRPS organization.”
Exceptional Expeditions earned Best New DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Initiative by addressing increased demand for Therapeutic Recreation programs for adults with disabilities.
The Women’s & Men’s Health Symposiums were recognized as Best Health & Wellness Initiative after providing gender-specific health screenings and education to 169 county employees in 2024.
For Best New Facility (Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways or Trails), James City County was awarded for its Outdoor Fitness Court at Warhill Sports Complex. This facility is accessible to all ages and abilities thanks to partnerships with local organizations.
Touch, Taste & See: Legacy Hall Showcase won Most Creative Marketing Strategy by reintroducing Legacy Hall through an interactive event featuring local food vendors and businesses.
Additionally, Angie Sims accepted the VRPS President’s Award on behalf of the VRPS Eastern Service Area (ESA), acknowledging ESA’s contributions to VRPS.
More information about VRPS can be found at https://www.vrps.com/.
