The National Recreation and Park Association and the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration have recently announced the 2019 finalists for the National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.

The National Gold Medal Awards honor communities throughout the United States that demonstrate excellence in planning, resource management and innovative approaches to delivering park and recreation services with sound business practices.

The finalists are as follows:
Class I (population 400,001 and over)
• Chicago Park District - Chicago, Illinois
• East Baton Rouge Recreation & Park Commission - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Fairfax County Park Authority - Fairfax, Virginia
• Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities - Mesa, Arizona