Des Moines Parks and Recreation is the winner of the 2022 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) made the announcement during the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) conference Tuesday, Sept. 20 in Phoenix, AZ.
This is the first time an agency from Iowa has won since the recognition was created in 1965, and the fourth time Des Moines Parks and Recreation is a finalist. Other finalists in Class II, for those with a population of 150,001 to 400,000 were City of Henderson Parks and Recreation (Henderson, NV), City of Plano Parks & Recreation Department (Plano, TX) and Wichita Park & Recreation (Wichita, KS).
“Selection as the 2022 Gold Medal winner is an incredible honor. This award further validates what I see day in and day out from all who work in this department who consistently bring passion, energy and a true love of their work in serving our residents and visitors,” said Benjamin R. Page, Director of Des Moines Parks and Recreation. “Our dedicated City Council, Parks and Recreation Board, City Manager, Friends of Des Moines Parks and staff are committed to our mission and vision, and receiving this tremendous honor confirms hard-work and embracing public input has led to our park and recreation system recognized on a national level as one of the very best.”
To learn more about our department and our application, view our finalist video here.
Original source can be found here.
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