MAINE — At the 2025 Maine Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) Conference on Monday, March 17, Gorham Recreation’s Community Recreation and Events Manager, Zachary Lambert, was selected as the MRPA’s “Dr. Bill Eckart” Young Professional of the Year for 2025.

“Dr. Bill Eckart Young Professional Award”

Dr. William Eckart 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 programs in the country, and it was Maine’s only nationally accredited recreation degree program. Dr. Eckart was an active member of MRPA, serving as Treasurer on the Board of Directors, spearheading the professional certification program, and managing membership.

Criteria that the annual award recipient must possess is a minimum of three years working within the Recreation Field and at least a two-year period should have been within the state of Maine, with no more than ten years experience. The candidate should have a degree in the field of Recreation, or a related field, and they must maintain membership in MRPA. Candidates should have demonstrated outstanding performance on a community level through innovative programming, partnerships and civic involvement, and should exhibit networking skills, and be involved with local and regional recreational issues and committees within MRPA.

The Gorham Recreation department has had two other “young professionals” awarded over the years with the MRPA: Alan Grady and Julio Santiago.

In the Gorham Recreation staff’s nomination of Zachary “Zach” Lambert for this award, they share that Zach has “hit the ground running” in his position, implementing new programs almost since the first week he arrived, with participation and offerings growing in fitness programs under Zach’s leadership. Zach also volunteers as the Town of Gorham Employees Wellness Committee Chairperson, leading programs that promote employee wellness through various wellness-related events such as a well-attended Urban Runoff 5k. Zach has developed successful programs including indoor rock climbing for middle school students, an adventure program for the middle school age group in addition to an annual Scare Crow Festival in the fall.

 In addition to carrying the required combination of employment history/experience, education, professional affiliation, program development and professional involvement required for MRPA’s Young Professional of the Year award nomination, Zach studied for and passed the National Recreation and Park Association’s Certified Park and Recreational Professional exam, obtaining the CPRP designation in September 2024.

 Zach is described as being involved in and instrumental in all aspects of the Gorham Recreation department and being “a bundle of energy and kindness,” keeping a positive outlook at all times that is both admired and appreciated by the Recreation staff and certainly at the Town of Gorham.

 Please join us in congratulating Gorham’s Zach Lambert on this deserving achievement!