Amador County - The Amador County Recreation Agency logo was chosen for an achievement award by the California Park & Recreation Society after a vote from the larger recreation community. ACRA’s recognition in the category of agency logo will be honored at the 2009 California and Pacific Southwest Recreation and Park Training Conference, held in Santa Clara March 3 through 6. According to Tracey Towner-Yep, ACRA’s executive director, the CPRS awards program is among the highest recognitions the agency can receive. “Our logo was designed and donated by Ralph Merzlak, who did a wonderful job incorporating Amador County’s many recreation opportunities,” she said, adding: “This award is a credit to him and a perfect example of the private and public collaboration that makes ACRA and its many benefits to our local communities possible.” Yep said the logo has come to symbolize the quality of ACRA’s programs and facilities. There are many historic and cultural images incorporated into ACRA’s logo. The Kennedy Mine, an historic landmark that was once one of the world’s deepest gold mines, stands majestically in the background as a tangible reminder of the county’s Gold Rush history, a sentiment echoed by the a gold pan and examples of period architecture in the foreground. Amador’s wineries and vineyards, some with vines dating back to the 1850s, are symbolized by zinfandel and chardonnay grapes in the Kennedy Mine’s tailing wheel. The California Park & Recreation Society is a membership organization with 4,200 members representing the 525 local parks and recreation agencies throughout the state. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.