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Hall Of Fame Detail

CRPA Hall of Fame

The CRPA Hall of Fame provides recognition for professionals and special individuals who have made outstanding, unique, lasting, and extraordinary contributions through recreation and park services in Connecticut.

Robert P. Dlugolenski

Professional Experience

  • 1966-67: Aquatics Director, Willimantic YMCA
  • 1967-70: Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation, Town of Branford
  • 1970-80: Director of Parks & Recreation, Town of North Haven
  • 1980-2004: Coordinator for Parks & Recreation Advisory Service, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

Affiliations & Offices Held

  • 1972-78: CRPA Executive Board Member serving as Secretary (1972-73), Vice President (1975), & President (1977)
  • 2003: Awarded Lifetime Membership with the Connecticut Recreation & Parks Association Member of several CRPA & NERC committees Longstanding member of the National Recreation & Parks Association & the New England Parks Association
  • 1980-1988: NRPA New England Regional Council, Chairman, 1984 APRS Board of Director First state Resource Coordinator for Open Space Middlefield Parks & Recreation Commission (11 years) Regional School District 13 Board of Education (7 years)

Education, Awards, & Certifications

  • 1966: BS in Recreational Service Education, University of Connecticut
  • 1982: CRPA Outstanding Professional Award
  • 1988: New England Annual Special Citation
  • 1991: NEPA Award
  • 2003: NEPA Robert “Bill” Sharkey Award

Eric W. O'Brien

Professional Experience

  • 1965-83: Sales Representative, M. E. O’Brien & Sons 1983-2006: Owner & President, M. E. O’Brien & Sons 2006-Present: Chairman, M. E. O’Brien & Sons Affiliations & Offices Held 1965-69: Lieutenant, US Navy 1987-95: NRPA Board of Trustees 1995-97: NRPA Chairperson (only Citizen Board Member from the New England States to be elevated to this position) 1988: Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Land Protection 2006-Present: National Recreation & Park Foundation Board of Governors 2007-Present: Member of the Steering Committee for Clemson University’s US Play Coalition Former Director, City Parks Alliance Longstanding member of the Connecticut Recreation & Parks Association, National Recreation & Parks Association, & New England Parks Association Served on several boards & committees for CRPA, NEPA, ASLA, National Association of Olmstead Parks, & Massachusetts Historic Preservation Advisory Committee

Education, Awards, & Certifications

  • 1961: BS in History, Fairfield University
  • 2005: American Parks & Recreation Society’s Meritorious Service Award (Citizen Category)
  • 2012: CRPA Outstanding Professional Award

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