Big news in the world of Colorado's green spaces, Ryan Smith, the City of Brighton's parks planning, development, and grant manager, has taken home the 2024 Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) Parks Section Professional of the Year award. Tipped as a leader in the field, Smith snagged the award at an annual shindig last week in Keystone. In early 2023, taking the reins of planning and development, Ryan has been watering the seeds of success ever since.
Being at the top of the parks' game isn't just a walk in the park. Nominees for the CPRA accolade need a skill set as diverse as the ecosystems they manage. Criteria include showing top-notch skills in park management and irrigation, being a go-to source for help and positive vibes among peers and the public alike, chowing down on meaty industry education menus, and having irrigation knowledge that's not just deep but also dripping with strategies for water conservation. According to the City of Brighton, Smith checked all these boxes with aplomb.
The Brighton beacon has been lighting the way in the realm of parks for eight solid years, a tenure not short on achievements. In his current role, Smith's commitment to cultivating expertise and fostering educational growth in his field which started just this past year, reflects a dedication to keeping Brighton's outdoor spaces inviting and sustainable. Smith hopping onto the position at the onset of 2023 seems to have been a green-thumb move by the city.
Humility comes with the territory for this park pro. "I am truly honored to be recognized as the recipient of the Parks Section Professional of the Year award from CPRA," said Smith, as per the City of Brighton, in a sentiment laden with gratitude for his team when the award was grasped by his eager hands. Grateful for his colleagues and the upper echelon at City Hall, Ryan's nod to teamwork resonates with the ethos of parks everywhere, where individual trees matter, but the forest is the bigger picture.
