News: 2024 RIRPA Award Recipients

Distinguished Department of the Year
Coventry Department of Parks and Recreation
Director of Parks and Recreation: Raena Blumenthal
Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant: Denise Cummiskey
Program Coordinator: Patrick Stone
Event Coordinator: Kimberly Frenze
Program Assistant: Penny Souza
Park Foreman: Michael Tedeschi
Lead Mechanic: Jay Andriote
Maintenance: Ken Jervis, John Lessard, Rob Irons, Pete Johnson, Scott Virgulak

Coventry Department of Parks and Recreation recently received local recognition by being voted "best kept secret" by the community in 2024. The department offers a wide array of programs— from Coventry’s Summer Youth Basketball League to Little Movers (a class for toddlers and their grown-ups). With support from the Town Council and Town Manager, the department is now offering a community-wide Summer Festival (with fireworks, food trucks, and live music) for the second year in a row.

Beyond daily work responsibilities and the department’s own offerings, staff participate in community events, join local non-profit committees, coach youth sports, and collaborate with other departments to bring resources to residents and surrounding towns. Teamwork guides the department’s success. People know that if they contact the department, staff will go above and beyond to help them. Coventry Parks and Recreation is a community resource.
 
Walter A. Henry Leadership Award
Joshua Wolff, Town of East Greenwich