Branson City Government Wins Innovation Award

The City of Branson Government won a statewide Innovation Award; this award was given because of the Branson Parks & Recreation Department’s adaptations in the midst of COVID-19.

by: JonChristopher Collins

The City of Branson Government won a statewide Innovation Award; this award was given because of the Branson Parks & Recreation Department’s adaptations in the midst of COVID-19.

The Innovation Award recognizes municipal and local governments that “successfully implemented and demonstrate new approaches for solving municipal challenges,” according to a Branson press release.

The recipients of this award receive it from the Missouri Municipal League (MML). KRZK received a quote about this award from Branson Mayor Larry Milton. “This award recognizes Cities across the state who go above and beyond to solve municipal challenges. That is exactly what happens every day in all departments in City Hall and in the City of Branson local government. Not only am I extremely proud of our Parks & Recreation Department for being recognized for their efforts to come up with creative ways to serve our residents during one of the hardest years in recent history, but I'm also proud of each department in the City that did the same thing. This award is indicative of the caliber of people we have within our local government who are dedicated to serving our community, in hard times and in good, through vision, leadership, and teamwork,” Milton said in the email statement given to KRZK.

Branson Parks and Recreation Director Cindy Shook is quoted in the City press release. “I’m incredibly proud of the way the entire Parks & Recreation Department came together during a difficult time to find creative ways to continue to serve our residents and community. This quality is indicative of all departments within City Hall and the City of Branson’s municipal government. We are always looking for innovative ways to improve and to work together to put our residents and community first,” Shook said.

The MML’s website made a statement about each winner. “During the citywide shut down for the pandemic, the community was not able to leave home and the Parks & Recreation Department found itself and its programs on the brink of becoming irrelevant. The project’s objective was to come up with a new approach for fresh, impactful programs to serve a community who largely were not able to leave home.”

The MML’s entire statement about Branson’s being awarded the Innovation Award can be read on their website. The other winning governments are recognized on the same page. They announced the winners on May 3.