On Tuesday, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), has awarded the 2014 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management to the Chicago Park District. This year’s proud sponsor of the Gold Medal Awards program is Musco Lighting LLC.

The Chicago Park District has been striving for this national recognition for the past few years, and Chicago’s park system embodies the core values of the NRPA including conservation, social equity, health and wellness. Its innovative, community driven programs like Summer Day Camp, Night Out in the Parks, Mayor Emanuel’s Chicago Plays! playground program, ground breakings and ribbon cuttings have lead the Chicago Park District to win the NRPA’s Gold Medal award. For more information on the Gold Medal Awards, visit www.nrpa.org/goldmedal or www.aapra.org.