Today, Director of Stewardship at Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Barbara McCabe received the 2015 Richardson Dilworth Award for Distinguished Public Service. 

Mayor Nutter presented the award Friday morning, saying that McCabe “grew up in Parks and Recreation.” She landed her first summer job there at age 14 and has been with the department for 29 years. She currently manages more than 80 parks volunteer groups.

At the ceremony Friday morning, Mayor Nutter also announced two new categories for the Dilworth Award. Detective Joseph Murray received the Innovation in Government award, recognizing his work using social media to strengthen community relations with the police department. 

Nutter then presented the award for Excellence in Customer Service to Anne Hornbach, library supervisor at the Torresdale Neighborhood Library Branch. 

Joseph Jacovini, co-chair of the award’s selection panel, talked about the award’s significance in his opening remarks.

 “Public service is not just a platitude, not just a job,” he said. “It’s a commitment to making the city work.”

In addition to the high honor, McCabe received a $5,000 cash prize and a memorial plaque in her name in City Hall. The other winners received $1,000 cash prizes, and everybody got invited to an honorary luncheon.