The 2013 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation Management went to Long Beach’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine this week, making Long Beach the largest city in the nation to win this year’s award.
Long Beach also won the Gold Medal three times previously; in 1988, 1998 and 2006.
“I’m delighted that Long Beach has been recognized again as having one of the best park systems in the country,” said Mayor Bob Foster in a statement. “The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine staff have done an outstanding job providing excellent programs for our residents and increasing our green space within our already built-out city.”
American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) judges the Gold Medal Awards based on each agency’s synergy between citizens, staff and elected officials to serve their community.
Long Beach highlighted its conservation, health and wellness, and social equity services in its application for the 2013 Gold Medal.
The conservation department—responsible for stream restoration, tree trimming and promoting open space areas—partnered businesses and community organizations, manages over 172 acres of estuaries.
The Health and Wellness departments is committed to providing community space in underserved areas of Long Beach. Since 2008, the department development 48.2 acres of new parkland.
Social Equity’s responsibilities are varied, including providing low cot pet vaccination and adoption, tending to the needs of regional senior center residents, promoting traditional and contemporary forms of art, and 26 parks during after-school hours an school breaks.
Each city agency competing for the Gold Medal Award is grouped into classes according to population size. Competing in Class I, with populations of 250T and over, Long Beach’s Parks, Recreation and Marine stood above Henderson (NV) Parks & Recreation, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and Plano (TX) Parks & Recreation.
It is a tremendous honor for the Department to be recognized as one of the best parks and recreation departments in the country,” said George Chapjian, Director, Parks, Recreation and Marine. “It is a great testament to the level of professional staff, who work tirelessly to provide the very best programs and services to the entire Long Beach community.”
The Golden Medal Awards were established by AAPRA, in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). For more information on Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine visit longbeach.gov/park.