The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with NRPA, is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2013 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. This year’s proud sponsor of the Gold Medal Awards program is Musco Lighting LLC.

The Gold Medal Award honors communities throughout the United States that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition.

George Chapjian, director of the Long Beach, California, Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, says, “I join my staff in expressing delight and a feeling of sincere honor at the news of being named a finalist. This acknowledgement highlights all of the hard work and successful efforts that have been achieved by staff and community stakeholders.”

Awards will be presented during NRPA’s Congress and Exposition in Houston, Texas, October 8–10. Please join us in congratulating the 2013 Gold Medal finalists:

Class I (population 250,000 and more)
• Henderson, Nevada, Parks and Recreation
• Long Beach, California, Parks, Recreation and Marine
• Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
• Plano, Texas, Parks and Recreation

Class II (population 100,001–250,000)
• Round Rock, Texas, Parks and Recreation
• South Suburban, Colorado, Park and Recreation District

Class III (population 50,001–100,000)
• Allen, Texas, Parks and Recreation
• Kettering, Ohio, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts
• Roswell, Georgia, Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs
• Waukegan, Illinois Park District

Class IV (population 25,001–50,000)
• Doral, Florida, Parks and Recreation
• St. Charles, Illinois, Park District
• Westerville, Ohio, Parks and Recreation
• Winter Park, Florida, Parks and Recreation

Class V (population less than 25,000)
• Erie, Colorado, Parks and Recreation
• Frankfort, Illinois, Square Park District
• Middleton, Wisconsin, Public Lands, Recreation and Forestry
• Oak Brook, Illinois, Park District

Armed Forces Recreation
• Fort Knox, Kentucky
• Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia
• Naval Base San Diego, California
• U.S. Coast Guard Base Kodiak, Alaska

State Park System
• Florida Park Service, Environmental Protection
• Missouri State Parks
• North Carolina State Parks and Recreation
• Virginia Conservation and Recreation Division of State Parks