Awards and recognitions are things public servants rarely expect. They do the work because they feel called to help the community, not for accolades. But this fall the team of people who work at and support the Athene North Shore Recreation Area will be honored with one of the most prestigious awards in the field – the 2025 Innovation in Equity Award presented by the National Recreation and Parks Association. This award recognizes an agency that finds an innovative way to improve access to local parks and recreation for everyone in the community, no matter the color of their skin, age, income level or ability. 

“It’s incredible,” said Devon Boese, Program and Outreach Coordinator. “In just one year we’ve had so much positive feedback from park users on the welcoming environment. Now to have our peers recognize the space and the value of the design process, is so inspiring.” 

Athene North Shore is being given this award, not just for its accessible features, but for the impact the design process will have on future parks across the world. One defining product of this universal design process was a set of universal design checklists and benchmarks. The checklists help engineers and architecture professionals think in more innovative ways compared to simply meeting minimum ADA compliance standards. They drive the creation of accessible public spaces, but most importantly they help embed elements of social inclusion, cohesion, and belonging into society in a way never previously imagined. Examples of universal design that are integrated into Athene North Shore from these checklists include color-coded surface terrain in the inclusive playground, a zero-entry ramp into the water, and a library of equipment rentals with various adaptive features.  

The universal design checklists are now free, publicly available and already being used by at least five other parks and recreation departments. 

Kami Rankin, Deputy Directo of Polk County Conservation and a crucial leader throughout the fundraising and design process reflected on the award: 

“The true winner of this award is our community and its people. Business leaders and community volunteers rallied around the project, seeing the need for shared, welcoming spaces. And they wanted that for everyone – not just Polk County. The design checklists are proof of that.”