GREEN: Green Veterans Memorial Park has received the state’s highest annual honor, the Governor’s Award, from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.The memorial park, dedicated in 2010, vied for the top honor against two other projects in the contest the Ohio Department of Natural Resources sponsored. The award includes a $500 contribution to the parks and recreation foundation and a trophy.More than 95 Ohio projects were nominated for consideration in various categories, with more than 20 of them recognized with first-, second- or third-place awards, Valerie Wolford, Green’s communication coordinator, said Thursday.The park, at 4224 Massillon Road, won a 2011 Award of Excellence from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association, making it eligible for the Governor’s Award.“It was such an honor to accept, not only our first-place award, but also the Governor’s Award from OPRA on behalf of the community of Green,” Mayor Dick Norton said in a news release. “This park means so much to so many people in our community, and being recognized in this way just confirms how special this park really is.”Norton accepted the award at the association’s annual conference, held this week at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky. Also attending were the family of Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Kuglics, who was killed in Iraq in 2007, and Green Parks and Recreation Superintendent Mike Elkins.The Green Veterans Memorial Park, funded by private donations from individuals and organizations, was designed by POD Designs of Columbus. The park features four key areas: the Ribbon Walk, the Honor Terrace with eternal flame, the Stories of Service Grove with memorial pavers and the Celebration Lawn.