Newton’s Parks Operations Superintendent Nick Cummins has been awarded the 2025 Iowa Turfgrass Institute’s Meritorious Service Award. The Iowa Turfgrass Institute’s Meritorious Service Award is presented by the Iowa Turfgrass Institute Board of Trustees to any individual who has been determined to have provided extraordinary service to the Iowa Turfgrass Institute or to the Iowa turfgrass industry in general. This award is only awarded to one person each year.

The Iowa Turfgrass Institute was founded in April of 1980 to increase research, education and dissemination of information on turfgrass. It was also designed to be a liaison for turfgrass industry groups and Iowa State University. Iowa Turfgrass Institute and its associations share Des Moines offices at Golf House Iowa with the Iowa Golf Association, IGA Foundation, and First Tee – Central Iowa .