City parks rely on the dedicated volunteers contribute their time and effort to keep the public parks clean, and available for everyone to enjoy. So why not nominate active members in your community parks for the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department’s 6th Annual Denny Awards?

The Denny Awards acknowledge and honor the crucial role volunteers play in neighborhood parks, community centers, and recreation programs throughout the city. Volunteers help Parks and Recreation staff and management in the work of the department and give valuable advice on important decisions about our Parks and Recreation facilities and operations. Volunteers pull ivy and plant native trees in our parks, coach kids’ sports, work as docents at selected parks and the Seattle Aquarium, and serve on various advisory councils and boards

The awards are named for Seattle pioneers the Denny family, who were dedicated to preserving park land and open space for the public. David and Louisa Denny donated land for the first Seattle park, Denny Park, in 1884 (it was originally donated to the city in 1864 as a cemetery, being rededicated as a public park almost 20 years later).

Minimum qualifications for Denny Award nominees are:

• Demonstrated exceptional stewardship to parks and/or recreation;
• Provided stellar leadership related to enhancing and preserving parks and/or recreation programs;
• Demonstrated a significant personal commitment of time and effort to assist the Seattle Parks and Recreation department; and
• Gained respect of community peers for efforts to help Seattle Parks and Recreation.

The award nomination form deadline was originally this Thursday, October 1, but has been extended to next Wednesday, October 7. Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, November 17.