The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), has announced the finalists for the 2011 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.
Salisbury Parks and Recreation is a finalist for a gold medal in Class IV (population 25,001- 50,000)
North Carolina State Parks and Recreation is a finalist for a State Award, given every other year.
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 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., Nov. 1-3.
This year’s sponsor of the Gold Medal Awards program is Musco Lighting LLC.
For more information on the Gold Medal Awards, go to www.NRPA.org/awards or www.aapra.org.