Deerfield Park District Named Finalist For National Award

DEERFIELD, IL — The Deerfield Park District and its board of commissioners were recently honored by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration for excellence. The Park District was named a finalist for the 2021 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.

Greg Petry, representing the AAPRA, met with the board at a workshop on Nov. 4, according to a news release.

The National Gold Medal Award is administered in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association. The National Gold Medal Award is the most coveted award in the park and recreation profession, honoring agencies and communities throughout the United States that exceed industry standards and establish a higher standard for delivering Public Park and recreation services, according to the news release.

Gold Medal Finalist winners measure the impact and benefit of their services while addressing the community needs through the involvement of citizens, staff and elected officials into all planning processes.

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, the governing organization for
the National Gold Medal Award, consists of 125 distinguished practitioners and scholars in the
field, who are committed to the advancement of the park and recreation field. Rooted in the
desire to advance knowledge, encourage scholarly efforts and provide services to advance the
profession, the Academy embraces the opportunities to “raise the bar” and enhance the quality
of park and recreation services to the local community through the National Gold Medal
Awards Program, according to the news release.

Since the awards inception in 1965 there has only been a little over 275 agencies named a Gold Medal Finalist. Deerfield Park District is now in the upper echelon of 8,000 plus parks, recreation agencies across the nation.

Deerfield Park District was a finalist in the Class V for those with a population of 30,000 or less
category. The application described the unique and fulfilling projects, partnerships and pride
stewarded by the staff at Deerfield Park District, making Deerfield an exemplary community. All
of the families and friends of the district, while enjoying the Deerfield Golf Club, Deerspring or
Mitchell Pool, Sachs Recreation Center, Patty Turner Center, Jewett Park Community Center
and our numerous parks, fields and playgrounds, are who make Deerfield a wonderful place to
live and recreate, according to the news release

As a finalist, the district showcased community in a five-minute video highlighting the district’s programs and services to give the judges an overview of the agency and a visual depiction of what was articulated in the application.

The Patty Turner Center, Kenny Rudin Playground supporters, WNBA Champions Chicago Sky and Northshore Rhythmic Gymnastics were highlighted in the video.

For more information on the National Gold Medal Award Program, visit www.aapra.org.

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