EPRD's Junior Mountain Biking Program Wins Recreation Award

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Lisa Hamm-Greenawalt, Marketing Manager
Evergreen Park & Recreation District
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EPRD's Junior Mountain Biking Program Wins Recreation Award
Evergreen, CO (Sept. 22, 2014) --


Kendra Hinkson receives CPRA Award

Evergreen Park & Recreation District was awarded the Columbine Award for its Junior Mountain Biking Program at the Colorado Park and Recreation Association (CPRA) Annual Conference last week. Kendra Hinkson, EPRD's Recreation Supervisor-Programs and pioneer of the program, accepted the award at the meeting in Steamboat Springs.

"I'm very proud of Kendra and of Evergreen Park & Recreation District for receiving our very first CPRA Columbine award," said Ellen O'Connor, the District's co-Executive Director (interim). "It's quite an honor to be recognized by our recreation peers across Colorado."

"It was a real team effort," said Hinkson, "and it's clear from its popularity that the Junior Mountain Biking Program was something parents and their children have been craving."

EPRD developed the Junior Mountain Bike Development Program for girls and boys in summer 2011 with the goal of providing kids aged 8-13 with an opportunity to develop proper trail riding skills, learn and practice good trail etiquette, nurture a love for mountain biking, and encourage a healthy lifestyle. The program attracted a large number of enthusiastic parent volunteers, including EPRD Board President Peter Lindquist and former Executive Director Scott Robson, who recently left for the Colorado Mountain Club.

In 2011, as a pilot program, EPRD saw 35 children sign up. That number grew to 48 in 2012, 57 in 2013, and 61, its maximum capacity, this past summer. The program also expanded into fall and spawned a women's mountain biking program.

"We have been able to significantly increase the skill level of all the kids, and have built a very strong foundation of young riders who we believe will become cyclists for life," said Hinkson.

The Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Awards Program is designed to recognize and celebrate the individuals and organizations that contribute to the success and value of parks and recreation in the state of Colorado. Designed to bring attention to its recipients, the awards program highlights the successes of association members and community champions. The Columbine Awards highlight best practices and creative ideas in regards to design, innovation and programming.

About Evergreen Park & Recreation District
Evergreen Park and Recreation District was formed in 1969 to serve the park and recreation needs of the communities of Evergreen, Bergen Park, Indian Hills, Kittredge and Marshdale. The citizens of the EPRD area place high value in their parks, recreation facilities and programs as an enhancement to the community's quality of life. This commitment is embodied in the District's strong parks and recreation system, with its unique facilities such as Buchanan Park, Buchanan Park Recreation Center, Evergreen Lake House, and Wulf Recreation Center.

EPRD serves approximately 22,000 people residing within its boundaries, and offers affordable recreational options to non-district residents. Learn more at www.evergreenrecreation.com .