Bemidji Casting with Cops event receives MRPA Award of Excellence

Children fish with local law enforcement officers during a Casting with Cops event on Sept. 20, 2024, at Diamond Point Park.

By Pioneer Staff Report

April 24, 2025 at 11:40 AM

BEMIDJI 鈥� The city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation recently was selected as a Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Award of Excellence recipient for its 2024 Casting with Cops event in the category of programming and events.

According to a release, the MRPA Awards Committee reviewed 37 award applications. The major goal of the Awards of Excellence program is to increase public awareness and appreciation of the excellent parks, trails and recreation services available in Minnesota.

"The Casting with Cops Event in September 2024 was a great partnership with the Bemidji Police Department," the release said. "The event was well attended, with approximately 100 rods/reels given out to youth in the community. The police were out in force to provide a great fishing experience in Diamond Point Park and celebrate the addition of the new fishing pier. Thank you to Officer Gregory Zimbelman and Emma Realing for leading the charge on this event and all the law enforcement that participated."

By Pioneer Staff Report

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