Burns Harbor Park Director Kim Burton received the 2016 Ivan H. Brinegar Municipal Management Award from the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) for her creative leadership, passionate mentoring and humble service to the community.
The award is presented to an appointed municipal official with a minimum of 10 years of city or town service who displays strong leadership, and contributions to the community and serves as a role model to citizens and other municipal officials.
As a 20-year veteran Park Department Director, Burton has overseen much growth and improvement in the department’s amenities and programming. She has ensured programming for all ages and worked diligently to see that Burns Harbor residents, and the surrounding community, understand the resources available. Most notably, Burton is responsible for the success of the 1980’s-themed Footloose 5K as well as Spectacular Egg Hunt for children with special needs.
“I enjoy the impact that you can have on the community, Burton said. “These days so much time is spent with technology. If we can get everyone outside to participate in our programs and do something physical and love it — that makes it all worth it.”
“It’s exciting to see parks directors and projects being recognized so prominently in the IACT awards program this year. The commitment of Ms. Burton and so many of her peers exemplifies what’s right with municipal government and their efforts to create quality places throughout Indiana,” said IACT Executive Director and CEO Matt Greller.
Burton received the award earlier this month during the Presidents’ Reception at the 2016 IACT Annual Conference & Exhibition in French Lick. Last year, IACT also named the Town of Burns Harbor a Community Achievement Award winner for its community visioning progress.
In its 40th year, the IACT Annual Awards program, presented by Umbaugh, recognizes communities and individuals in municipal government for excellence and outstanding achievement. A nine-member panel of qualified judges selected this year’s winners from a competitive field of nominees from around the state.