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News: Bristol named Finalist for 2022 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management

Date Published Author
6/1/2022 12:00:00 AM   

 
gold medal
Bristol named Finalist for 2022 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management
BPRYCS Among Top Four Agencies in the Country

Bristol, CT – [June 1, 2022] – The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AARPA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), announced that the City of Bristol’s Department of Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services (BPRYCS) is a finalist for the 2022 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, the nation's highest honor for park and recreation agencies.

Founded in 1965, The National Gold Medal Award honors public park and recreation agencies and state park systems throughout the United States and armed forces recreation programs worldwide that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management and innovative approaches to delivering superb park and recreation services with fiscally sound business practices.

Superintendent Dr. Josh Medeiros remarked, “It’s a tremendous accomplishment for BPRYCS to be selected as one of 4 finalists nationwide for communities serving populations of 30,001 to 75,000 people. This distinction could not be possible without the hard work of our professional staff team, board members, community partners and elected officials that continue to support the work of our department.”

BPRYCS joins three other finalists in their class to compete for Grand Plaque Award honor; which will announced in September at the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference in Phoenix, AZ. Other finalists in the category include Hoffman Estates Park District, Hoffman Estates, IL, Park District of Oak Park, Oak Park, IL, and Waukesha Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department, Waukesha, WI.

AAPRA Executive Director Jane H. Adams shared, “Each Finalist is commended for receiving this prestigious award. We know local communities and military installations worldwide continue to meet the demands of delivering services during the COVID 19 pandemic which includes increased visitations at trails, parks, playgrounds, and greenways. Park visitors and program participants rely upon their service provider for physical, mental, and emotional support during this continuing pandemic.  The Academy congratulates each Finalist for their management excellence during this unprecedented time.” 

In advance of September’s Award ceremony, BPRYCS created a 5-minute video highlighting the department’s core services and values. A panel of five park and recreation professionals will review all materials. Judges are chosen for their considerable experience and knowledge in parks and recreation both locally and nationally.  All finalists and Grand Plaque Awards are presented at the NRPA Conference’s annual award ceremony.
 
For more information on the National Gold Medal Award Program, visit www.aapra.org