Bowman resident recognized for work with parks and rec

29 Sep Bowman resident recognized for work with parks and rec

September 29, 2017

Chris and Amanda Johnson of Bowman were recently presented with the Citizen Advocacy Award at the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Association banquet in Mandan.

By COLE BENZ
Pioneer Editor

“I thought it was pretty neat…to get it,” Chris said. “I was pretty surprised.”

Though the actual award has only Chris’ name on it, Chanell Walby, Director of Bowman Parks and Recreation, said that it was deserving that both he and Amanda were able to accept it together.

“It’s not just Chris, it’s Chris and Amanda [Johnson],” she said.

Walby said that every parks and recreation departments across the state is allowed to submit names for this award, but only one was recognized.

Walby said she sent in the nomination based on the work that Chris has put in with the department, and the effort he gives each year for the skating rink.

“It’s given to a person in the community that contributes a lot to the parks and rec [program],” Walby said. “I nominated Chris for this award, based on what he did last year for the ice skating program.”

Chris is also a board member and a volunteer youth coach.

“I was happy he won,” she said.

Walby kept the nomination from Chris and Amanda until the winner was announced. She told them about the event so the whole family could attend.

Chris told the Pioneer that he likes working with the parks and recreation department because to him it’s giving back to the kids. And he knows his own children utilize their amenities so he feels like it’s a good way give back to something he and his family benefit from.

“It’s nice to be noticed when you do stuff like that,” Chris said of the award. “It’s pretty special.”

Chris said he plans on heading up the skating rink again this season.