County Wins National Gold Medal Award in Parks and Recreation

LAKE WORTH, Fla. - Oct. 2, 2018 - PRLog -- Months of preparation and commitment to the highest level of service in parks and recreation has earned the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department (PBC Parks) the 2018 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, one of the highest achievements possible for Parks and Recreation agencies. The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (http://www.aapra.org/) (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (http://www.nrpa.org/) (NRPA), awarded this honor to PBC Parks at the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 25.

Agencies are judged on their ability to address the social, recreational and wellness needs of those they serve through the collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials. The award recognizes the department for its best practices and commitment to environmental sustainability, health, and community building. Dedicated staff improve the lives of residents and visitors, regardless of age, gender or ability, through unique initiatives like The PlayMaker, the Parks to Work Program, and the Responsible Pier Initiative, among others.

PBC Parks encourages healthy lifestyles through events, outreach and partnerships to help serve thousands from underserved communities and encourage fitness and recreation, while generating millions in economic impact through Sports and Aquatic tourism and saving taxpayers millions through countless volunteer service hours.

"I am extremely proud to have been awarded the Grand Plaque for excellence in parks and recreation management. This award demonstrates the dedication and commitment from our employees and validates our level of service and pledge to provide quality programs, services and facilities. I'm also grateful to the County Commission and our Administration for their unwavering support of the Parks and Recreation Department and the benefits our services generate for the community," said PBC Parks Director Eric Call.

Founded in 1965, the Gold Medal Awards program honors communities throughout the United States that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition.

The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department operates more than 110 parks and recreational facilities and is committed to making the quality of life for Palm Beach County residents and visitors better by providing diverse, safe and affordable recreation services, welcoming parks, and enriching social and cultural experiences by promoting wellness, fostering environmental stewardship, contributing economic value, and by improving the community every day for this and future generations. For more information about recreational opportunities and healthy, happy living, visit www.pbcparks.com and follow @pbcparks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and WordPress.

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration is a nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to advance knowledge related to the administration of recreation and parks; to encourage scholarly efforts by practitioners and educators to enhance the practice of park and recreation administration; to promote broader understanding of the importance of parks and recreation to the public good; and, to conduct research, publish scholarly papers and/or sponsor seminars related to the advancement of park and recreation administration. For more information, visit www.aapra.org.

The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA's flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.