News: Bristol named Finalist for 2023 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management

Bristol named Finalist for 2023 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management
BPRYCS Among Top Four Agencies in the Country

Bristol, CT – [June 5, 2023] For the second year in a row, the City of Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services (BPRYCS) Department has been named a National Gold Medal Award Finalist by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AARPA). The national award program is the nation’s highest honor for excellence in parks and recreation management.

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, “Our team feels incredibly privileged to see the impact of our work right here in Bristol each and every day, but to have our hard work recognized on a national stage is truly humbling. For the second year in a row the AAPRA recognizes BPRYCS as a top 4 agency in the entire country for communities serving populations of 30,000-75,000. This is a tremendous recognition as there has not been a finalist from the State of Connecticut in nearly 50 years.”

AAPRA Executive Director Jane H. Adams shared, “Each agency is commended for submitting a 2023 application for the prestigious National Gold Medal Award. The Academy congratulates the 20 local park and recreation agencies, the four armed forces installations, and the four state park systems on receiving the Finalist award. We look forward to presenting these awards at the Gold Medal Gala Reception in Dallas, Texas, as part of the National Recreation and Park Association’s annual conference.”
 
In advance of October’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. 
 
For more information on the National Gold Medal Award Program, visit www.aapra.org



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