EC Parks fall just short of gold … but they're still pretty awesome

Tom Giffey |

From Carson to Phoenix to Owen and beyond, we Eau Clairians love our parks – all 35 of ’em. The parks’ quality is due in large part to the hard work of the folks at the city’s Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department, and that work was honored by their peers this month at the National Recreation and Park Association annual convention in Charlotte, N.C. Each year, the professional group gives awards to departments that “demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development, and agency recognition.” Eau Claire was one of four gold medal finalists in its population group (30,001 and 75,000); the top honor, however, went to the Kettering, Ohio, parks department. “Understandably, we’re feeling a little disappointed right now, but it’s still an honor to have made it this far. We’d also like to congratulate the City of Kettering and all the finalists,” Phil Fieber, Eau Claire Parks, Recreation, and Forestry director said in a press release. “They all have great programs, and to be included among them as a top four finalist is quite an honor and puts our department and our community in very select company. I’m still very proud of our staff and the work they do, as well as our community for supporting us in this journey.” Kudos to Fieber & Co. for their efforts; why not celebrate with a picnic in the park?