Liberty Parks and Rec named Missouri Agency of the Year

Liberty Parks and Rec was recognized last week as the Missouri Parks and Recreation Agency of the Year, Mayor Greg Knutson announced at the Feb. 24 Liberty City Council meeting.

The award, presented at the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association conference in Branson, cited fiscal responsibility, staff engagement and retention, professional development, community support, innovative programming, partnerships and equitable access, Parks Director BJ Stopp said.

"We do a lot more than that," Stopp told the council while introducing park staff, park board members and foundation volunteers who attended the meeting. He highlighted department statistics: 39 full‑time staff with an average tenure of nine years, 12 employees with more than 15 years' service, 11 full‑time staff who began as seasonal or part‑time employees, and 16 staff members holding professional certifications.

Stopp also described the Liberty Parks and Rec Foundation and its fundraising: the foundation has 12 board members, raises about $80,000 annually and has raised more than $600,000 over the last eight years to support youth and senior scholarships. He told the council the department has "a little over a 114 active volunteers from Clay County" and that last year there were 19 Eagle and Girl Scout volunteer projects across the city.

Council members and residents praised the department's operations and partnerships. Mayor Greg Knutson said the community center and parks staff are frequently the first point of contact for many residents and visitors: "They are the face of our community in many ways," he said. Several council members and residents shared personal accounts of children who used Parks and Rec programs from T‑ball through college and credited the department with contributing to community health and wellness.

Council members noted the department operates at higher cost recovery than average facilities and that park board oversight and multiple partnerships — including Liberty Public Schools, Liberty Hospital, Clay County Public Health, Mid‑America Regional Council and several local clubs and leagues — support programming across parks and facilities.

Stopp emphasized that the award recognized not only recreational activities but also public health efforts, tree and natural resource stewardship, volunteer engagement and professional development. "Liberty is very lucky to have them," he said of the parks staff and volunteers.

Council members closed the discussion by congratulating staff, foundation and board members in attendance and noting the award as confirmation of work that supports residents across age groups and interests.

The council did not take formal action on the award; the presentation was informational and commemorative.