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.
Bob Stanley
Professional Experience
- 31-year career in the parks and recreation profession
- Recreation Supervisor, 1973-1980; Superintendent, 1980 - 2004, Newington Parks & Recreation
- Known as “Mr. Newington” having spent all 31 years serving the community in Newington
- Spearheaded the construction of the first handicap-accessible playground at Mill Pond Park
- Oversaw the development of Clem Lemire Sports Complex
- Built Nature Trail at Churchill Park, later renamed for Bob upon his retirement
- Oversaw annual back-to-school playground parade including the construction of nine different floats from the town’s playgrounds
- Started the Annual Life. Be in it. Extravaganza, 1981
- Oversaw numerous recreational sports leagues including a youth basketball league of over 1,000 children, men’s and women’s softball, and various other cultural, fitness, and recreational programs
Affiliations & Offices Held
- Active CRPA Member throughout his career, serving on various committees
- CRPA Board Member, 1981-85; CRPA President, 1984
- Assisted with the planning and organization of CRPA’s Annual Conference
Education, Awards, & Certifications
- CRPA Lifetime Member
- AS, Northwestern Community College
- BA, University of Massachusetts, 1973
Christy Hass Dlugolenski
Professional Experience
- First Female CRPA Hall of Fame Inductee
- 43-year career in parks and recreation profession
- One of the first women to hold a director’s position in the profession
- Recreation Supervisor, North Haven Parks & Recreation, 1973-1976
- Director, Rocky Hill Parks & Recreation, 1977-1999
- Developed and managed Rocky Hill’s first Facility Maintenance Program and first Senior Center
- Oversaw Rocky Hill’s Parks, Recreation, Senior Citizen, Aquatics, and Tree Warden Divisions
- Oversaw the Facilities Management Division, 1991-1997
- Parks Superintendent, New Haven Parks & Recreation, 1999-2006
- Co-managed New Haven’s natural disaster response with the Public Works Department
- Established City Employee Heath & Wellness Program for all City of New Haven Employees
Affiliations & Offices Held
- Active CRPA Member throughout her career: Certification Chair, 1988-90; Conference Chair, 1987-88
- CRPA Board Member, 1978-82; CRPA President, 1981
- President, Connecticut Public Parks Association, 1988-89 (first female president)
- Highest leadership role, Connecticut Tree Warden’s Association
Education, Awards, & Certifications
- BS, University of Massachusetts in Amherst, 1971
- CRPA Lifetime Member
- Certified Leisure Professional
- Certified Playground Safety Professional
- NRPA “Life. Be In It.” Award for Outstanding Programming, 1982
- CRPA Outstanding Professional Award, 1985
- Town of Rocky Hill Community Service Award, 1999
- New England Regional Council Distinguished Professional Award
- Fred Borman Award for Outstanding Urban Forestry Practitioner, 2013
- Outstanding Tree Warden of the Year, 2017
James Capodiece
Professional Experience
- 37-year career in the parks and recreation profession
- Recreation Director, Berlin Parks & Recreation Department (4 years)
- Director, West Hartford Leisure Services (33 years)
- Worked to assure all West Hartford parks became accessible
- Managed numerous park projects including the re-construction of Fernridge and Kennedy Pools, adding Splash Pads at Wolcott and Kennedy Parks, improvements at Westmoor including a viewing barn and accessible trail system
- Managed several large improvement projects including Cornerstone Aquatics Center, Veteran’s Memorial Skating Rink, West Hartford Senior Center, and Rockledge Golf Course
- Oversaw Rockledge Public Golf Course and Restaurant using the surplus revenue to fund recreation programming for children with disabilities
- Partnered with Miracle League of Connecticut to build first fully accessible Baseball Field in Connecticut
Affiliations & Offices Held
- Active CRPA Member throughout his career: Hall of Fame & Conference Committees
- CRPA Board Member, 1982-89; CRPA President, 1988
- Former member: NRPA, NEPA, New England Regional Council, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education & Recreation
- Member: US Golf Association, West Hartford Kiwanis Club
- Involved in advocating for The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and for Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery (UPAR) funding
Education, Awards, & Certifications
- BA, Central Connecticut State University, 1976
- MS, University of Hartford
- Formerly Certified Parks and Recreation Professional
- CRPA Lifetime Member
- CRPA Distinguished Service (Citation) Award, 1991
- Berlin High School Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee
- Bridge Family Center Award, Build No Fences Award
- Chamber of Commerce, Noah Webster Award
- Past President’s Award, Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association