2015 Gold Medal Finalists Announced

July 1, 2015, Department, by Brenda Beales

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with NRPA, is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2015 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. 

Since 1965 the Gold Medal Awards program has served as a testament to the hard work and dedication of agencies that strive to meet the needs of diverse communities. The Gold Medal is a comprehensive award that looks at the many challenges agencies face and how they are leveraging resources to meet those challenges. 

Excitement is building as the 28 Gold Medal Finalists prepare for the Grand Award announcement during the September 15 Opening General Session at NRPA’s 2015 Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Please join us in congratulating the 2015 Gold Medal Finalists: 

Class I (population 400,001 and over)

  • Cleveland Metroparks, Ohio
  • Kansas City Parks and Recreation, Missouri
  • The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Maryland
  • City of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities, Arizona

 

Class II (population 150,001 – 400,000)

  • City of Peoria Community Services, Arizona
  • Des Moines Parks and Recreation, Iowa
  • Fox Valley Park District, Illinois
  • Plano Parks and Recreation, Texas

 

Class III (population 75,001 – 150,000)

  • City of Allen Parks and Recreation, Texas
  • Lawrence Parks and Recreation, Kansas
  • Roswell Recreation, Parks, 
  • Historic and Cultural Affairs, Georgia
  • City of St. George Leisure Services, Utah

 

Class IV (population 30,001 – 75,000) 

  • City of Eau Claire Parks, Recreation and Forestry, Wisconsin
  • City of Englewood Parks and Recreation, Colorado
  • Loveland Parks and Recreation, Colorado
  • Park District of Oak Park, Illinois

 

Class V (population less than 30,000)

  • Itasca Park District, Illinois
  • Middleton Public Lands, Recreation and Forestry, Wisconsin
  • Oak Brook Park District, Illinois
  • Williston Parks and Recreation District, North Dakota

 

Armed Forces Recreation

  • Commander Fleet Activities 
  • Yokosuka, Japan
  • Marine Corps Community Services, Camp Pendleton, California
  • Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida
  • Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine

 

State Park Systems

  • Delaware State Parks
  • Georgia State Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division
  • Missouri State Parks
  • Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails

 

Learn more about the Gold Medal Awards.

Brenda Beales is NRPA’s Awards and Accreditation Manager.