Wheaton Park District Makes the Short List for National Gold Medal Award

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) and National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), announced Wednesday the finalists for the 2011 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. 

The Wheaton Park District made the short list for the Class III award, among three other cities of 50,001 to 100,000 residents. The other finalists include the City of Kettering Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts, OH, Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department, MN and Waukesha Parks, Recreation and Forestry, WI.

If awarded the gold medal, this would be the fifth time the Wheaton Park District has received the award.

, president of the Wheaton Park District board of commissioners said, "The Wheaton Park District offers a vast number of outstanding services. It is a great honor to be recognized for the district's efforts on a national level."

Founded in 1965, the Gold Medal Awards program honors communities in the U.S. that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation. According to a press release from AARPA/NRPA, judges evaluate the finalists' long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition. 

Applications are separated into five classes based on population with a state park system class every other year, and agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials.  Four finalists in each class are chosen to compete for grand honors each year. 

This year’s finalists will compete for Grand Plaque Award honors this summer, and the six Grand Plaque recipients will be announced live during NRPA’s Annual Congress & Exposition in Atlanta, GA in November. 

The Class I, II, IV, V and state 2011 Gold Medal finalists are:   

Class I (population 250,000 and over) 

• Kansas City Parks and Recreation, Mo.
• Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department, N.C.
• Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department, Fla.
• Portland Parks and Recreation, Ore.

Class II (population 100,001 – 250,000) 

• Boise Parks and Recreation Department, Idaho
• City of Lakewood Department of Community Resources, Colo.
• Rockford Park District, Ill.
• Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department, Ga

Class IV (population 25,001 – 50,000)  

• Elmhurst Park District, Ill.
• Town of Parker Parks and Recreation, Colo.
• Salisbury Parks and Recreation, N.C.
• West Bend Parks, Recreation and Forestry, Wis. 

Class V (population less than 25,000)  

• City of Cullman Park and Recreation Department, Ala.
• City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation Department, Va.
• City of Green River Parks and Recreation Department, Wyo.
• City of Lafayette, Colo.

State Awards (for state agencies, given every other year)   

• Florida Park Service, Division of Recreation and Parks, Florida DEP
• Michigan Department of Natural Resources
• Missouri Division of State Parks
• North Carolina State Parks and Recreation

A panel of five park and recreation professionals reviews and judges all application materials. Judges are chosen for their experience and knowledge in parks and recreation on local and national levels.