2026 Award Submissions
East Region Awards: October 2025-September 2026
Submission deadline: TBD
*Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.
The TRAPS East Region is pleased to recognize and honor individuals and organizations that have rendered significant services to the Society and have made outstanding contributions to the field of parks and recreation.
Nomination Forms:
Innovation In Park & Facility Development
Part-Time Employee of the Year
Recreation Professional of the Year
Young Professional of the Year
Please enter each submission along with any supporting documents/pictures via the online form.
Presentation of awards will take place at the Annual TRAPS East Region Winter Social.
Completed entry form(s), photos and support material must be submitted electronically via the online form. All entries must be submitted by (DATE AND TIME TBD). The links will automatically close at that time. No paper entries will be accepted. If you have any questions or issues with the forms, please email our East Region Director.
2025 Awards
ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR: Dave Burdett – Fort Bend Mountain Bike Association, Sugar Land Parks & Recreation
DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR: Carry Capers, Pearland Parks & Recreation
PARKS PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR: Richie Kainer, Katy Parks & Recreation
PART-TIME EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR: Rob Cantu, West University Place Parks & Recreation
RECREATION PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR: Datrin Rogers, Conroe Parks & Recreation
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Braden Macurdy, Conroe Parks & Recreation
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR: Brandon Jones, Pearland Parks & Recreation
INNOVATION PARK & RECREATION FACILITY DEVELOPMENT: Joe Matthews Park Project, Mont Belvieu Parks & Recreation
INNOVATIVE PROGRAM OF THE YEAR: Ability Skateboarding Clinic, Missouri City Parks & Recreation
LONE STAR PROGRAMMING AWARD OF THE YEAR:Acorns & Oaks, Pearland Parks & Recreation
MAINTENANCE OF THE YEAR AWARD: Baytown Parks Solar Lighting, Baytown Parks & Recreation
PROMOTIONAL AWARD OF THE YEAR: Senior Center Promotional Video, Conroe Parks & Recreation
2024 Awards
2024 Awards Presentation (pdf)
- Best In Photography:
- Special Events – Baytown Parks & Recreation – “A Tail Waggin’ Good Time” -Tracy Eason
- Facilities – Baytown Parks & Recreation – “Jenkins’ Beloved Bird” -Diana Herrera
- Aquatics – Galveston Parks & Recreation – “Man Helps Child” – Taylor Gonzalez
- Camp – Pearland Parks & Recreation – “Wonders of Sea Life” – Brittany Lau
- Athletics – Pasadena Parks & Recreation – “Rounding 3rd Base” – Stanley White
- Outdoor Recreation – Pearland Parks & Recreation – “Outdoor Exploration” – Brittany Lau
- Leisure & Cultural Arts – Galveston Parks & Recreation – “The Great Eclipse” – Taylor Gonzalez
- Advocate of the Year:
- West University Place – “Friends of West University Place Fund”
- Innovation in Park and Facility Development:
- Pearland Parks & Recreation – “The Sports Complex at Shadow Creek Ranch (Design: Kristina Malek, Kimley Horn)”
- Innovative Program Award:
- Katy Parks & Recreation – “Taylor Swift Ultimate Karaoke Night”
- Lone Star Programming Award:
- Pasadena Parks & Recreation – “The Magical Mile”
- Maintenance Award:
- Baytown Parks & Recreation – “Anti Tamper Protective Boxes”
- Park Professional of the Year:
- Mont Belvieu Parks & Recreation – “Michael Mueller”
- Part-Time Employee of the Year:
- Baytown – “William Jones”
- Promotional Award:
- Baytown Parks & Recreation – “Baytown.org/Events”
- Recreation Professional of the Year:
- West University Place Parks & Recreation – “Toby Brooks”
- Rookie of the Year:
- Galveston Parks & Recreation – “Amberly Mobley”
- Young Professional of the Year:
- Pearland Parks & Recreation – “Chrystopher Bickham”
- Director of the Year:
- Pasadena Parks & Recreation – “Jed Aplaca, CPRP”