Danville Parks and Recreation received six awards at the 2025 Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) Annual Conference held in Roanoke, Virginia. VRPS is a statewide professional organization dedicated to advancing the field of parks and recreation through leadership, education, and advocacy.
Competing in the Population 25,001-50,000 category, Danville Parks and Recreation stood out across 17 award categories for their innovative programs, facilities, and staff achievements in 2024. Judged by a jury of its peers, Danville Parks and Recreation received the Outstanding New Professional, Best New Facility, Best New Environmental Sustainability Initiative, Most Creative Marketing Strategy, Most Creative Marketing Piece, and Snapshot Moment awards.
“The awards are a direct reflection of the work our team does every day, and I am honored that the society recognized these accomplishments,” said Bill Sgrinia, Director of Danville Parks and Recreation. “I am incredibly proud to be a part of this team and the work we and our partners do every day to make Danville a great place to call home.”
City Manager Ken Larking expressed his appreciation for the dedicated staff within Parks and Recreation.
“I am fortunate to work with creative, innovative, and passionate people, contributing significantly to making the community an appealing place for both residents and visitors,” Larking said. “I am impressed by how the team continues to find new and interesting ways to create opportunities for enjoyment in our community.”
Outstanding New Professional: Maggie Wiles
Maggie Wiles has served the City of Danville for more than three years, demonstrating exceptional leadership and passion for outdoor engagement. Wiles’ efforts have expanded recreational services across neighborhoods and parks, and she played a pivotal role in securing Danville’s designation as the first “Nature Everywhere” city in Virginia, an honor awarded by the National League of Cities and the Children & Nature Network. Wiles also helped grow the Danville Outdoors initiative, which recently earned a President’s Award for Innovation from the Virginia Municipal League. Her dedication to environmental stewardship and community enrichment is reflected in this well-deserved recognition.
Best New Facility: Third Avenue Park
Opened in May 2024, Third Avenue Park transformed a long-vacant, historically significant site into a community space. Featuring Danville’s first modern splash pad, a playground for young children, shaded seating, restrooms, and dedicated parking, the $1.75 million project was fully funded by the City of Danville. Strategically located in an underserved area, the park has already welcomed more than 17,700 visits and continues to promote equity, physical activity, and neighborhood revitalization.
Best New Environmental Sustainability Initiative: Ballou Park Reforestation Project
Launched in April 2024, the Ballou Park Reforestation Project is a collaborative effort between Danville Parks and Recreation, Danville Public Works, Danville Outdoors partners, and the Department of Forestry. The initiative aims to restore tree canopy lost over decades due to storm damage. Through community tree planting events and environmental education, the project has engaged more than 250 residents and 75 third-grade students from Schoolfield Elementary. Native trees were planted with support from city arborists, and ongoing care ensures their long-term health. The project enhances water quality, mitigates urban heat, and fosters community advocacy for greenspace conservation.
Most Creative Marketing Strategy: CritterCam
“CritterCam” is a social media video series launched in 2024 that features footage from game cameras placed in Danville’s parks. Showcasing native wildlife, such as coyotes, herons, deer, and muskrats, accompanied by educational facts, the initiative promotes environmental awareness and highlights the ecological value of Danville’s natural spaces, encouraging community stewardship.
Most Creative Marketing Piece: Solstice Running Series Mega Medal
The in-house designed Solstice Running Series Mega Medal connected two seasonal races held on the longest and shortest days of the year in support of the VRPS “Play All Day” initiative. The innovative design included a semicircle medal for each event that magnetically joined to form a full circle, celebrating participation, connections, and creativity in recreational programming.
Snapshot Moment: Let’s Glow Crazy
This award celebrates a standout visual moment from the annual “Let’s Glow Crazy” event at Dan Daniel Park. Showcasing the silhouette of a child with the crescent moon shining behind him, the photo beautifully captures the spirit of adventure and community connection through recreation.
To learn more about Parks and Recreation programs, visit PlayDanvilleVA.com or call 434.799.5200.