Kelsey Heiden, manager of the city’s new recreation center, was presented with the Jerry Garrett Memorial Young Professional Award by the Texas Recreation and Park Society. The award was given at TRAPS’ annual conference on March 1 in Waco.

“Kelsey truly believes in the three pillars of parks and recreation: social equity, conservation and health,” said city Parks and Recreation Director Stacey Dicke in a statement. “She works continually to weave the message of how our profession can improve everyday lives in each of these three areas to the public.”

Each year the organization awards a young professional it feels has an outstanding record for contributions to an organization via service on committees, promoting advancement of the recreation and parks profession within the region and state, and involvement in the community.

Heiden has been employed by the parks and recreation department since 2006. Prior to being named manager of the city’s new recreation center, Das Rec, which is scheduled for a summer opening, she served as marketing coordinator for the parks department.