The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2016 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.

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 seven classes, with five classes based on population, one class for armed forces recreation and one class for state park systems awarded on odd numbered years.

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.

The 2016 Gold Medal finalists are:
Class I (population 400,001 and over):
BREC, Baton Rouge, La.
Cleveland Metroparks.
Johnson County Park and Recreation District, Shawnee Mission, Kan.
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

Class II (population 150,001 – 400,000):
Arlington Parks and Recreation Department, Texas.
Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, North Carolina.