Lewiston Recreation Coordinator Alyssa Clark, center, holds the 2023 Maine Recreation and Park Association’s Dr. Bill Eckart Young Professional of the Year Award. She is recognized at the March 21 City Council meeting by Mayor Carl Sheline and Recreation Director Nicole Welch.

LEWISTON — The Lewiston Recreation Department is celebrating its recreation coordinator, Alyssa Clark, the 2023 recipient of the Maine Recreation and Park Association’s Dr. Bill Eckart Young Professional of the Year Award.

The annual award is given to a Maine rising parks and recreation professional who has displayed an outstanding community performance level through innovative programming, partnerships and civic involvement.

“It was a great surprise and motivates me to continue working hard to give the city of Lewiston quality programs to enjoy for years to come,” Clark said. She began her tenure with Lewiston Recreation in August 2021.

Bill Eckart, for whom the award is named, retired from the University of Maine at Machias in 2011 after 31 years as professor of recreation management. During his tenure, he built the program into one of the most respected ones in the country, being Maine’s only nationally accredited recreation degree program.

Mayor Carl Sheline and Recreation Director Nicole Welch recognized Clark at the March 21 City Council meeting and highlighted her contributions to the department and community.

Clark graduated from Endicott College in 2015 with a sports management degree. Early in her career, she worked for the Gorham Recreation Department part time before accepting her first full-time position at Saco Parks and Recreation in 2016.