Cleveland Can't Stop Winning: Metroparks Wins 2016 National Gold Medal Award

CLEVELAND, OH - It's unclear how many titles the city has to win to shed the Mistake by the Lake moniker, but we must be coming close to that magic number.

The Cleveland Metroparks joined the championship parade today when it won the prestigious 2016 National Gold Medal Award for excellence in Park and Recreation Management. Awarded by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the Gold Medal is one of the highest professional awards available to parks and recreation agencies nationwide.

This award is the fourth Gold Medal Award win for the Park District, and the first under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Brian M. Zimmerman. Cleveland previously won the award in 1994, 2001 and 2007.

With Zimmerman at the helm, Cleveland Metroparks saw its largest year of land acquisition since the 1960s. He guided the acquisition of eight Lakefront parks, including the opening of Rivergate Park in the heart of Cleveland's urban core and the 155-acre Acacia Reservation.The park attracted nearly 18 million recreational visits in 2015.

"This award validates that our vision, backed by our strategic plan is on target," said Zimmerman. "We are focused on enhancing recreational opportunities and growing trail connections, especially in Cleveland's urban core. Accessibility is a guiding principle in everything we do."

The Gold Medal Award 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. Gold Medal Award winners were announced at NRPA's annual conference in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Cleveland Metroparks won the Class I category, the largest of five classes based on population served. The finalists in the category included BREC, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Johnson County Park and Recreation District, in Shawnee Mission, Kansas; and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, in Minnesota.

"This honor should be celebrated across Cleveland Metroparks organization. While the award specifically calls out outstanding management, this achievement is the result of the collective hard work and passion of each and every Park District employee," said Debbie Berry, Cleveland Metroparks Board of Commissioners president.

This recognition comes as Cleveland Metroparks prepares to enter its centennial year, celebrating 100 years of rich history. The Park District released a short video celebrating the video.

Social media was also abuzz with news of the Parks victory. Here are some of the best reactions:

If you needed any more incentive to go out and enjoy the nation's finest park system, harsh winter weather will soon be upon us. As the Metroparks are fond of saying, come out and play.

Images from Cleveland Metroparks