Last updated: August 6, 2026
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2026 Director’s Awards for Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands
The Director’s Awards for Park Planning, Facilities and Lands recognize outstanding achievements in facility management, accessibility, transportation, and interagency collaboration. Honorees exemplify dedication to the National Park Service’s mission and values through innovation, performance excellence, and commitment to preserving and improving our national parks.
Accessibility Achievement Award
This award recognizes successful projects/initiatives that improve access for employees or visitors with disabilities at NPS sites; showcase innovative approach(es) or outcome(s) to an accessibility issue/concern/need; exceed typical operations or requirements; and/or involve the disability community or accessibility subject matter experts in completing the project or initiative or in evaluating the impact of the achievement.
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Steven Kidd
Chief of Science and Resource Management, Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve began work on two major projects in 2025: the Fort Caroline Relocation Project and the Spanish American War Battery Accessible Trail Project. Under the leadership of project manager Steven Kidd, these projects proactively focused on improving accessibly while preserving our nation’s cultural resources.
Ensuring accessibility as a central design principle, the Fort Caroline Relocation Project included plans to relocate the memorial closer to the visitor center and establish a trail system that met Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards. This new accessible route was designed to improve access for visitors with mobility disabilities to travel between the visitor center and reconstructed fort.
Steven also led efforts to create an accessible boardwalk trail to the Spanish American War Battery, an area unreachable for many visitors due to steep, challenging terrain. Both projects plan to remove physical barriers allowing more visitors to experience the park’s rich history.
Accessibility Leadership Award
This award recognizes accessibility leaders who have a track record of at least five years of accessibility leadership that has produced tangible results benefiting the disability community.
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Patricia (Patti) Wold
Interpretive Media Specialist, Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park staff and visitors appreciated Patti Wold’s passion and commitment to accessibility over the past five years. She was involved in projects in almost every corner of the park, including museum exhibits, films, trail and interpretive signs, site evaluations, staff training, funding requests, regional committee work, and temporary accessibility signs.
Patti’s goal was to help visitors of all abilities plan their park visit with more confidence and enjoy it once they arrived. She meticulously documented the park’s accessibility features with detailed text and photographs. Patti led development and staff training on “social stories” that had the goal of assisting neurodivergent visitors. She also greatly improved audio description and captioning in the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center exhibits.
Patti involved the community and worked with disability organizations like Outdoors for All and Move United. She supported adaptive bicycling opportunities and organized trail assessment trainings with partners. Her impact was also visible throughout the park’s website, social media channels, visitor documents, and a 2025 Washington’s National Park Fund video spotlighting her trail measurement project.
Excellence in Facility Management Award - Frontline Hero of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding facility management team member from the field who has promoted the mission of the National Park Service by going above and beyond the call of duty.
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Paula MacNiece
Maintenance Worker, Cape Cod National Seashore
Paula MacNiece stepped up to lead her team at Cape Cod National Seashore when faced with significant challenges. She ensured that the park’s custodial program continued to provide exceptional service for park visitors throughout a high-visitation period.
Paula’s leadership was especially evident when she became the acting supervisor for the custodial workgroup. She fostered a positive, service-minded work environment and created proactive steps to develop the park’s custodial program regardless of challenges her team faced.
By also earning her COR Level 1 certification, she was able to improve service at the Salt Pond Visitor Center for park visitors. Her resilience and willingness to embrace additional responsibilities made a remarkable impact on park operations and the visitors’ experiences.
Excellence in Facility Management Award - Facility Team of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding facility maintenance team based on their accomplishments and a commitment to overcome challenges that could have only been met through the execution of amazing teamwork.
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Alexander Burke, Jonathan Colvin, Donald Noakes, Randy Scott, Rodney White
George Washington Memorial Parkway Tree Crew, George Washington Memorial Parkway
The George Washington Memorial Parkway’s Tree Crew consistently delivered outstanding service throughout the year. Their work directly strengthened safety, operations, and the visitor experience across an extremely busy national park embedded throughout local communities.
The Tree Crew led major hazardous tree operations, coordinated road closures, and quickly responded to weather-related incidents. These activities were crucial to restore access for visitors and emergency vehicles. Their professionalism and technical skills were evident in bucket-truck and spider-lift operations, hazardous-tree support, and cross-divisional repairs.
The Tree Crew’s commitment to park operations, safety, and teamwork was also shown by their involvement beyond their specialized tree work. They also assisted with water line failures, pothole repairs, and winter preparations essential for the heavily trafficked roadway. Their flexibility, reliability and willingness to step in wherever needed make them a vital asset to the Parkway and its visitors.
Excellence in Facility Management Award - Facility Manager of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding park facility manager who exemplifies the full range of our published National Park Service professional facilities management competencies: supervision and leadership; business management; project management; asset management; operations and maintenance; and resource stewardship.
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Jim Grant
Chief of Maintenance and Engineering, Blue Ridge Parkway
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused significant damage to visitor facilities, trails, and infrastructure throughout the Blue Ridge Parkway. Jim Grant’s leadership and expertise proved invaluable as he guided recovery efforts while also continuing to oversee daily maintenance operations.
Using his technical expertise and creativity, Jim skillfully managed over 100 storm recovery projects including coordinating teams, engineering site visits, and resolving complex issues to keep progress moving forward. His ability to communicate the park's needs were crucial in securing support for disaster supplemental funding for restoration projects.
Jim’s innovation, determination, and positive attitude greatly impacted restoration efforts while also making the park more resilient and better prepared for future challenges. His leadership strengthened team morale and fostered collaboration ensuring visitors could continue to enjoy safe and improved access to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Excellence in Facility Management Award - Superintendent of the Year
This award recognizes a superintendent for their outstanding contributions, creative leadership, and direction and support in sustainable and fiscally responsible facility management.
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Scott Tucker
Superintendent, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Scott Tucker led numerous facility management projects focused on cost management, resource stewardship, and infrastructure improvements throughout his career. His efforts resulted in more efficient operations, sustainable practices, and the successful completion of critical repairs and upgrades that benefit both staff and visitors.
Among his achievements at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Scott managed a $47 million National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) project. It was designed to improve infrastructure reliability, safety, and visitor access in the park. He also developed a nationally recognized friends group model that expanded partnerships and enhanced support for visitor services and resource protection.
Scott’s dedication ensured that park facilities remained safe, accessible, and environmentally responsible. His commitment to facility management supported the National Park Service’s mission by protecting natural and cultural resources while making the parks more enjoyable for millions of guests each year.
NPS/FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Award: Transportation Outstanding Performer
Coordinated in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, this award recognizes significant achievements in safety, program/project management, planning, research, and publications within the transportation program by an individual who performs above and beyond peers.
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Chris Close
Transportation Branch Chief, Denver Service CenterChris Close, Transportation Branch Manager with the Denver Service Center, demonstrated exceptional leadership, initiative, and innovation working with the National Park Service, including as Acting Transportation Division Chief during 2025. Parks, regions, and partners recognized him as a trusted advisor to navigate complex transportation challenges.
Chris played a pivotal role in the emergency recovery of the Blue Ridge Parkway following Hurricane Helene. He helped lead a rapid and complex effort to restore over 400 miles of roadway and dozens of damaged sites The project demonstrated sustainable, resilient transportation improvements that also improved visitors' experiences and protected natural and cultural resources.
He also directed the successful rehabilitation of the George Washington Memorial Parkway’s north side. This major project required improvements to pavement, bridges, stormwater systems, and historic overlooks on a roadway that serves 26 million drivers annually. His leadership produced an innovative guardwall solution that balanced modern safety requirements with historic preservation. Chris’s leadership, responsiveness, and mentorship strengthened team cohesion and elevated the quality of the transportation program.
NPS/FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Award: Partners in Excellence
Coordinated in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, this award recognizes outstanding team performance in the Transportation Program related to a construction project.
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GWMP North Parkway Rehabilitation Team
George Washington Memorial Parkway, Denver Service Center, National Capital Region
National Park Service Recipients: Karen Arey, Christopher Hershey, Maureen Joseph, Steven Kattula, Jennifer Madello, Mark Maloy, Matt Mohler, Chantae Moore, and Raymond Nuesch
Federal Highway Administration Recipients: Mir Ali, Mohammad Azizi, Joe Fabis, Nelson Ferreira, Selam Hailegiorgis, Andrew Jessberger, Jeff Johnson, Ricardo Garcia Rosario, and Sijan Shrestha
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Eastern Federal Lands Team and Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center worked with several National Park Service offices on the rehabilitation of George Washington Memorial Parkway’s north section. The multi-disciplinary team completed this high-profile Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)–funded project with strong planning, accountability, and cooperation.
The project included improving pavement conditions, safety, and drainage. It also rehabilitated historic overlooks. The FHWA and National Park Service teams collaborated on modern MASH‑compliant safety features that also preserved the parkway’s historic character. The teams conducted diligent environmental review, resource assessments, and Section 106 consultation.
Project management had to carefully navigate complex scheduling, risk mitigation, and traffic coordination on this section of the parkway that serves 26 million drivers annually. A comprehensive communication strategy included timely traffic updates and a monthly newsletter to keep the public informed and minimize disruptions.
NPS/FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Awards: Program Innovation and Development Excellence Award
Coordinated in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, this award recognizes the achievements, partnerships, and teams’ performance related to planning, studies, pilot projects, emerging technology deployment, innovative solutions, and research.
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McCarthy Road Planning & Environmental Linkages Team
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska Regional Office, Federal Highway Administration, State of Alaska Department of Transportation
National Park Service Recipients: Ben Bobowski, Kevin Doniere, Rebekah Levine, Mike Loso, Laura Minski, Joshua Scott, Jonathan Shafer, Matt Smith, Kara Sorbel, Chris Wilcox
Federal Highway Administration Recipients: Seth English-Young
State of Alaska Department of Transportation Recipients: Judy Chapman, Paul Eckman, Brett Nelson
The McCarthy Road Planning & Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study Team delivered an innovative, community-centered planning framework to improve one of Alaska’s most rugged and environmentally sensitive transportation corridors within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The multi-agency team also demonstrated exceptional commitment to public service and resource stewardship.
A multilayered PEL methodology integrated advanced technical analyses and incorporated data from local partners, including the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Ahtna, Inc., the Native Village of Chitina, and the Federal Highway Administration. A three-tiered screening process led to a unified improvement strategy, twenty scalable project recommendations, and shortened environmental review timelines for faster project readiness to speed up projects.
The project’s vision and priorities were shaped directly by those who know the corridor best. The team conducted multiple site visits, held three rounds of public engagement, and used transparent communication with residents and stakeholders in local towns. Community feedback ensured consideration of the corridor’s rustic character, salmon habitats, private property, and local recreation sites.
Tags:
blue ridge parkway,
cape cod national seashore,
george washington memorial parkway,
mount rainier national park,
sleeping bear dunes national lakeshore,
timucuan ecological & historic preserve,
wrangell - st elias national park & preserve,
nps awards,
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park planning facilities and lands,
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