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Each year, Andie Graham, program director for the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department, serves up pork hot dogs and sauerkraut as part of the Polar Bear Plunge annual tradition. (MediaNews Group File Photo)<\/p>\nPOTTSTOWN \u2014 The borough\u2019s Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department has been named the 2026 Agency of the Year by the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society.<\/p>\n
The Agency of the Year Award inspires and recognizes exemplary accomplishments in positioning parks and recreation as an essential public service with meaningful community impact.<\/p>\n
The award honors agencies that provide a fresh perspective on significant parks and recreation issues, demonstrate innovation and collaboration, and show a high level of resourcefulness in delivering programs, services, and facilities that benefit their communities.<\/p>\n
Nominations are individually evaluated each year competitively by an independent panel of national recreation professionals, with judging focused on projects, programs, and achievements from the previous two to three years.<\/p>\n
The staff members whose leadership and service contributed to this honor are: Michael A. Lenhart, Director (2014\u2013Present); Andie Graham, Parks and Programs Supervisor (2014\u2013Present); Anthony Rhoads, Park Maintenance Worker (2005\u2013Present); Timothy Landis, Park Maintenance Worker (2005\u2013Present).<\/p>\n
Each year, Andie Graham, program director for the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department, serves up pork hot dogs and sauerkraut as part of the Polar Bear Plunge annual tradition. (MediaNews Group File Photo)<\/p>\n
\u201cThis recognition is a tremendous honor for our community and a testament to the dedication, creativity, and hard work of our Parks and Recreation staff, who work every day to make our parks, programs, and facilities among the very best of any municipality in the Commonwealth,\u201d Borough Manager Justin Keller said in a press release announcing the honor.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the past several years, the department has demonstrated what can be achieved through strong partnerships, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to making parks and recreation an essential service for residents. From major park improvements to innovative community programming, their work has helped strengthen community pride and improve quality of life throughout Pottstown,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Parks and Recreation Director Michael Lenhart credited the award to the strong collaboration between staff, community partners, and volunteers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis award reflects the collective effort of so many people who care deeply about our parks and our community,\u201d Lenhart said. \u201cOur staff works incredibly hard, but the real strength of our programs comes from the partnerships we\u2019ve built with local organizations, volunteers, and regional partners who share our vision of making Pottstown\u2019s park system welcoming and vibrant. This award is an achievement for the whole Pottstown Community, and we can all be proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
The department\u2019s award-winning nomination highlighted several major accomplishments over the past few years, including the replacement of pedestrian bridges and stabilization of waterways at Memorial Park and Riverfront Park, as well as park renovation and development projects at Brookside Park, Chestnut Street Park, South Street Park, Cross Street Park, and Pollock Park.<\/p>\n
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State grants obtained by the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department and regional partners helped to pay for this new play equipment installed last month at the South Street Park in Pottstown. (Evan Brandt — MediaNews Group)<\/p>\n
The nomination also emphasized the department\u2019s strong regional partnerships and collaborative programming, particularly through the Pottstown Area Regional Recreation Committee. Successful community events and initiatives cited include Pottstown Rumble, the GoFourth! Festival, the Powwow on Manatawny Creek, Pottstown Play Streets, the TIOA Recreation Hub, Manatawny Green Spooky Golf, the Veterans\u2019 Island Project, Miss Amber\u2019s Dance Class, Trilogy BMX programming, and the New Year\u2019s Day Polar Bear Swim.<\/p>\n
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More than 5,000 volleyball players participated in last year\u2018s Pottstown Rumble, which takes place in Pottstown’s Memorial Park and requires much preparation and clean-up. (Photos by Bill Bonney Photography)<\/p>\n
A defining strength of the department\u2019s work has been its ability to collaborate with community organizations, volunteers, and regional partners.<\/p>\n
Borough officials would like to recognize and thank the many individuals and organizations who helped make these initiatives possible, including Patricia McCloskey and the municipalities of PARRC, \u201cThe Amy\u2019s\u201d and Pottstown GoFourth!, Ronald Williams and Reflections of Turtle Island, USA BMX and the Knapper Family, Amber Montgomery, Schuylkill River Greenways, Ken Kaas and the Pottstown Rumble, Cathy Paretti and the Veterans\u2019 Island Project, Fred Stine and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, BASF Corp, state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist., state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, R-24th Dist., the volunteers supporting Pottstown Play Streets and the Polar Bear Swim, and funding partners including the Pottstown Regional Community Foundation, DCNR, the Commonwealth Finance Authority, PECO Green Region, and several Montgomery County agencies.<\/p>\n
The Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department will be formally recognized for receiving the Agency of the Year Award at the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society Annual Conference, which will be held from March 24-27 at the Spooky Nook Sports Complex in Manheim, Lancaster County.<\/p>\n