Chicago Park District Receives 2014 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation

Lee Edwards | As of Wednesday, October 22, 2014

The Chicago Park District (CPD) was awarded the 2014 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) earlier this month. CPD was one of four finalists in the Class I Category, having a population of 400,001 or more residents.
The Chicago Park District (CPD) was awarded the 2014 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) earlier this month. CPD was one of four finalists in the Class I Category, having a population of 400,001 or more residents.

Earlier this month, the Chicago Park District (CPD) was awarded the 2014 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). This year's program was sponsored by Musco Lighting LLC.

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration is a non-profit organization founded to advance knowledge related to the administration of recreation and parks; to encourage scholarly efforts by both practitioners and educators that would enhance the practice of park and recreation administration; to promote broader public understanding of the importance of parks and recreation to the public good; and, to conduct research, publish scholarly papers and sponsor seminars related to the advancement of park and recreation administration.

Founded in 1965, the Gold Medal Awards program honors communities in the U.S. that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition. Applications are separated into seven classes, with five classes based on population, one class for armed forces recreation communities and the State Park System Class awarded on odd numbered years.

“Chicago is already known as a City in a Garden, and this prestigious honor recognizes the significant investments we are making in our parks and open spaces to honor our past and create a safer, brighter and healthier future for every child in Chicago,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

The Chicago Park District was one of four finalists in the Class I Category, having a population of 400,001 or more residents. Agencies were judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials.

The Chicago Park District was selected over fellow Class I Category finalists Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation (GA), Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MD), and Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities (AZ).

Chicago Park District General Superintendent Michael Kelly praised Mayor Emanuel’s leadership that led to winning the 2014 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management and shared his enthusiasm for the recognition.

“Under Mayor Emanuel’s leadership, we have been able to secure this national honor for excellence in the field of park and recreation management,” said Kelly. “This is the first time such an honor has been bestowed upon the Chicago Park District, or any other urban park in the nation.

For more information about the Chicago Park District, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. For more information about the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, visit www.aapra.org. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org. For more information on the Gold Medal Awards visit www.nrpa.org/goldmedal or www.aapra.org. For more information about Musco Lighting visit LLC visit www.musco.com.

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