Going for the gold: meet the finalists for the 2004 Gold Medal Awards.Since 1965, the Gold Medal gold medal traditional first prize. [Western Cult: Misc.] See : Prize Awards program has inspired agencies across the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. to excel in parks and recreation management. The most prestigious award of its kind, it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of a community, as it strives to manage its resources and address the needs of diverse populations. The program has been successful because of widespread participation, as well as the strong management and support by the American Academy The American Academy in Berlin is a non-partisan academic institution in Berlin. It was founded in September 1994 by a group of prominent Americans and Germans, among them Richard Holbrooke, Henry Kissinger, Richard von Weizsäcker, Fritz Stern and Otto Graf Lambsdorff and opened in for Parks and Recreation Administration (AAPRA AAPRA American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration AAPRA Australian Amateur Packet Radio Association AAPRA Asociación de Arqueólogos Profesionales de la República Argentina (Spanish) ) and NRPA NRPA National Recreation and Park Association NRPA Natural Resources Protective Association (Staten Island, NY) NRPA Niagara Regional Police Association (Canada) NRPA National Rifle and Pistol Association . Long-time sponsorships by companies such as the National Sporting Goods Noun 1. sporting goods - sports equipment sold as a commodity commodity, trade good, good - articles of commerce sports equipment - equipment needed to participate in a particular sport Association, and currently Porter Athletic Equipment Company and MUSCO Lighting Musco Lighting is an American Sports Lighting company, based out of Oskaloosa, Iowa. They are known for their Sports Lighting systems, such as the Light Structure Green- an energy-saving pole-light system. , have also proved to be supportive in the process. This year, 238 agencies competed for the coveted cov·et v. cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. titles. A multi-step process, all submissions include an initial nomination followed by an 11-question application and program brochure. A distinguished group of professionals (all of which have long-spanning careers in parks and recreation) view the applications, and '20 finalists are chosen. These agencies then submit videos and strategic plans, and a second round of judging takes place. Chris Jarvi, an associate director for the National Park Service, is a four-year Gold Medal judge, and was head judge for 2004. When asked about what the judges look for, he said, "The beauty of the system is that every judge brings a different orientation to the judging. I am a stickler stick·ler n. 1. One who insists on something unyieldingly: a stickler for neatness. 2. Something puzzling or difficult. for the quality of the planning because I have a 30-year history of planning. I look for whether the needs of the community have been assessed and are being met, not just through capital project development (e.g. bond acts), but also through program offerings. I also look to see if there is substance and clarity to the application." The judging process is a huge responsibility, not only because of the high volume of participants, but also because of the high level of quality evident in the applications. Iowa City's Parks and Recreation Director Terry Trueblood served as a first-time judge in 2004, and while he said he had a fair idea of "what he was getting himself into," he was still surprised how difficult it was to judge the applicants. Trueblood agrees, "All the finalists should take pride in the fact that they were selected over extremely tough competition." The agencies are divided into five classes, based on population (with a state parks class falling in odd-numbered years). Four agencies are chosen from each class to be finalists, and the winner of each class is announced at the Opening General Session, where the awards will be given out at a special ceremony within the session. (Tickets are free to all attending Congress). All finalists attend the ceremony, and the winners are the best-kept secret of the week, one that only the judges and the awards administrator know up until the moment they are announced on stage. The finalists for the 2004 Gold Medal Awards are: CLASS I (POPULATION 250,000+) Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Austin, Texas: 2003 Population: 692,102 Austin oversees more than 16,000 acres of land containing More than 200 parks, preserves, and greenbelts (with over 50 miles of scenic paths). Special Projects: * Lorraine "Grandma" Camacho Activity Center--In 2000 "High Techreation" entered Austin's vocabulary with a program that combined recreational pursuits with technology to provide exciting and educational youth opportunities. * Dinosaurs at Zilker Botanical Gardens--A "Prehistoric Garden" and "Dino Pit" were built at the Botanical site after more than 100 dinosaur tracks were discovered on exposed rock within the property (the originals are now preserved at the Texas Memorial Museum The Texas Memorial Museum is the main exhibit hall of the Texas Natural Science Center at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin, Texas, USA. The center has produced a collection of 5. ). Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department, Fort Worth, Texas Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas, 18th-largest city in the United States[1], and voted one of "America’s Most Livable Communities. : 2003 Population: 577,500 Fort Worth has organized sports and cultural events since the late 1800s. Now, the city provides more than 10,000 acres of parkland and close to 200 park and recreation facilities. Special Projects: * Forth Worth Herd--Attended by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, this event includes costumed cattle drives through Stockyards National Historic District and an educational program attended by almost 11,000 students in 2003. * After School Programs--These programs, which take place in the afternoons, were created to combat the increase of juvenile crime and victimization victimization Social medicine The abuse of the disenfranchised–eg, those underage, elderly, ♀, mentally retarded, illegal aliens, or other, by coercing them into illegal activities–eg, drug trade, pornography, prostitution. in the city of Fort Worth. Lee County Department of Parks and Recreation, Fort Meyers, Fla.: 2003 Population: 497,022 The parks and recreation department began in the early 1970's with the completion of four swimming pools. The department now manages more than 3,500 acres and provides hundreds of programs. A major challenge has been to provide services for a population that has increased 63 percent in the last decade. Special Projects: * USTA/CTA, First Serve Initiative--Provides tennis lessons and group play as well as a children's program including free lessons, mentoring, homework assistance, computer access, and nutritional snacks. * Park/School Multi-Generational Centers--A joint program with the school board involving a shared gym and joint recreational facility Noun 1. recreational facility - a public facility for recreation recreation facility facility, installation - a building or place that provides a particular service or is used for a particular industry; "the assembly plant is an enormous facility" . Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department, Miami, Fla.: 2003 Population: 2,253,400 Miami-Dade Parks began 75 years ago with one 80-acre county park, Matheson Hammock hammock, suspended bed, usually of netting, canvas, or leather. The hammock and its name were introduced to Europeans by Christopher Columbus, who learned of them from Native Americans. Park. Today it manages more than 12,000 acres, 280 parks, facilities and greenways, and provides services to 25 million users per year. Special Projects: * Kendall Soccer Park--Includes two artificial turf Artificial turf, or synthetic turf, is a grass-like man-made surface manufactured from synthetic materials. It is most often used in arenas for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass, however, it is now being used on residential lawns and commercial fields (with life expectancies of 15 years), a field center, 196 parking spaces and a .75-mile perimeter pathway. * The Deering Estate at Cutler--A 450-acre environmental, archaeological, historical and architectural preserve which was restored and reopened in 1999 after being almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Andrew This article is about the 1992 hurricane; there was also a Tropical Storm Andrew during the 1986 Atlantic hurricane season. Hurricane Andrew is the second-most-destructive hurricane in U.S. history, and the last of three Category 5 hurricanes that made U.S. . CLASS II (POPULATION 100,000-250,000) Lake Metroparks, Concord Township, Ohio There are numerous Concord Townships in Ohio, as follows:
Started in 1958, lake park visitation reached an all-time high of more than 2.5 million visitors in 2003. In the past five years, Metroparks has preserved 1,100 acres of wetlands, forests and retired farm fields. Special Projects: * Boating Education and "Water Safety Program--In response to the need for improved waterway access, this program provides all types of boating instruction and safety lessons for all ages and abilities. * Greenway Corridor Recreational Trail--This 10-foot wide, 4.4-mile trail replaced the abandoned B & O railroad. The community provides trail guides, historical interpreters, clean up and trail patrol. Peoria Community Services Deportment de·port·ment n. A manner of personal conduct; behavior. See Synonyms at behavior. deportment Noun the way in which a person moves and stands: , Peoria, Ariz.: 2003 Population: 129,000 Listed in the 2000 Census as the fifth-fastest growing city in the nation, Peoria now manages thousands of acres of parks, pools and recreational facilities. Special Projects: * Peoria Unified School District Peoria Unified School District #11 provides primary and secondary education in the cities of Peoria, Arizona and parts of Glendale, Arizona. Peoria Unified School District #11 began in 1889. covering 49 square miles. Agreement--To combat the lack of sufficient recreational facilities, this agreement allows the city first priority to school gymnasiums, cafeterias and outdoor areas. Before and after school programs, summer camps, and summer recreation programs have been organized at all schools. * Community Promotions Division--The division was created to promote and implement special youth events, recreational enhancements and recreational scholarships. Tallahassee Parks and Recreation Department, Tallahassee, Fla.: 2003 Population: 162,310 Park system has grown 28 percent in the last six years to reach almost 4,000 acres. Tallahassee manages more than 70 sites ranging from half-acre for lots to 800-acre regional parks. Special Projects: * Trousdell Gymnastics and Aquatics Center--Provides instructional and recreational programs for all ages and abilities, and includes a gymnastics complex (which lists three Olympians as former participants) and a 50-meter Olympic size pool. * Tallahassee Skatepark--A 26,000 square foot skatepark featuring two large bowls and a street course. The planning process included local skaters, and the design was created by the famous X Games X Games Sports medicine The official Olympics of 'extreme sports' sponsored by ESPN, held annually during the summer. See Extreme sports. park designer. Tempe Community Services Department, Parks and Recreation Division, Tempe, Ariz.: 2003 Population: 159,000 Despite recent economic turndowns and budget cuts, Tempe vows to exceed its goals through partnerships, program reviews and increased volunteerism. The agency currently manages 17 different parks and facilities. Special Projects: * Rio Salado Project--This once unsafe and unclean dry riverbed area has been turned into a restoration project that includes a 72-acre linear park, a marina, natural habitat preserves, picnic areas, event venues, shops and restaurants. * Tempe Center for the Arts--This new center is a state-of the-art theater that Tempe performance artists can call home. Includes a 600-seat proscenium proscenium In a theatre, the frame or arch separating the stage from the auditorium, through which the action of a play is viewed. In ancient Greek theatres, the proskenion was an area in front of the skene that eventually functioned as the stage. theater and a 200-seat studio theater. CLASS III (POPULATION 50,000-100,000) Bend Metropolitan Park and Recreation District, Bend, Ore. 2003 Population: 64,000 Currently, Bend manages 2,000 acres of developed/undeveloped parkland. With an 8.9 percent annual growth rate, Bend, Ore., has the fastest growing area in the state. Special Projects: * Bend Senior Center and Larkspur Larkspur, city, United States Larkspur, city (1990 pop. 11,070), Marin co., W Calif., a prestigious residential suburb of San Francisco near Mt. Tamalpais; inc. 1908. The region's scenic beauty and excellent beaches attract many visitors. Park--Created to address the needs of one of the top retirement communities in the nation, this facility provides a safe place where seniors can visit and take part in various activities and special events. * Bend Urban Area Trails Planning and Implementation--Newly underway in 2003, the plan calls for an integrated system of 44 miles of trails to connect neighborhood parks Neighborhood parks, which generally range in size up to 30 acres, serve as a social and recreational focal points for neighborhoods and are the basic units of a park system. Many include a playground. , schools and destinations. Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, Bloomington, Ind.: 2003 Population: 69,291 Bloomington's 10.6 percent annual population growth rate makes it one of Indiana's fastest growing cities. Bloomington is committed to responding to the growing needs of its diverse populations. Special Projects: * Walking and Biking Trails--In a 2002 community survey, participants listed walking/jogging for pleasure as the number one regular recreation activity. In response to the survey, Bloomington is developing 12 acres of trails and a 60-plus acre abandoned switchyard switch·yard n. An area where railroad cars are switched and trains assembled. . * Bloomington Skate Park--After more than 1,500 people advocated for the creation of a sale and legal skatepark, Bloomington responded. The 13,000-square-foot park is scheduled to open in 2004. Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department, Plymouth, Minn.: 2003 Population: 67,000 Plymouth was recently named one of "Money Magazine's" "hottest towns" in America. Plymouth manages more than 1,000 acres of parks and 80 miles of trails. Special Projects: * Central Park Site--Major capital expansion recently took place on this 165-acre site, which sits in the heart of the city. Within this site are various amenities including the town hall, a playfield complex, a "Millennium Garden," a performance center, and an indoor sports facility. * Greenwood Youth Sports Complex--Located directly behind an elementary school elementary school: see school. , this 25-acre site includes baseball fields, soccer fields, a skating rink and a playground. Schaumburg Park District, Schaumburg, Ill.: 2003 Population: 78,000 Less than 40 years ago, Schaumburg was a rural community of just 1,000 residents. Today it contains 78,000 people and hundreds of businesses. Schaumburg manages more than 70 parks and recreational facilities and provides up to 16 outdoor skating rinks each winter. Special Projects: * Volkening Heritage Farm--A full-scale, working re-creation of a 1880's German dairy farm, complete with restored barns, livestock, crop fields, equipment and furnishings. * The Park Partner Program--Park events and activities are assigned to programs sponsored for three-year periods by interested businesses. This program improves programs and increases participation, and gives businesses higher visibility. CLASS IV (POPULATION 25,000-50,000) Englewood Parks and Recreation Department, Englewood, Colo.: 2003 Population: 32,747 Englewood Parks and Recreation capital expenditures and park acquisitions have increased three-fold over the past five years. Englewood is currently the manager of more than 20 parks and recreation facilities including five tennis courts, a skate park and an in-line hockey rink. Special Projects: * Museum of Outdoors (MOA moa (mō`ə) [Maori], common name for an extinct flightless bird of New Zealand related to the kiwi, the emu, the cassowary, and the ostrich. The various species ranged in size from that of a turkey to the 10-ft (3-m) Dinornis giganteus. ) Partnership--In collaboration with the museum, the Englewood Civic Center displays 13 permanent and five temporary sculptures, and provides an extensive array of classes for all ages. * Pirates Cove--Englewood will construct a new family aquatics center that will provide a full range of educational and recreational programming. Glen Ellyn Glen Ellyn, village (1990 pop. 24,944), Du Page co., NE Ill., a residential suburb of Chicago; inc. 1892. Points of interest include Stacy Tavern, a 19th-century stagecoach stop on the Chicago-Galena route; a wildlife sanctuary; and an arboretum. Park District, Glen Ellyn, Ill.: 2003 Population: 36,000 Glen Ellyn Park District was established in 1919, and has since grown to 29 parks including an outdoor aquatic facility, four recreation centers, 23 multi-purpose parks and playgrounds, and three lakes Three Lakes may refer to: Cities, towns, townships etc.
Special Projects: * Maryknoll Park--Once art abandoned seminary, this 25-acre parcel of land is now the planned space for nine acres of Oak Savannah Savannah, city, United States Savannah, city (1990 pop. 137,560), seat of Chatham co., SE Ga., a port of entry on the Savannah River near its mouth; inc. 1789. , various park amenities, and a handicapped 36-hole golf course. * School District Gynmasium Expansion--The park district is helping to expand two school gymnasiums in exchange for priority use. Programs include expanded athletics, after school programs and a summer school camp program. Grand Junction Grand Junction, city (1990 pop. 29,034), seat of Mesa co., W Colo., at the junction of the Gunnison and Colorado rivers; inc. 1891. The shipping and processing center of a large ranch and irrigated farm region, it also serves the area's uranium, oil shale, gas, and Parks and Recreation Department, Grand Junction, Colo.: 2003 Population: 46,400 Grand Junction provides numerous parks, facilities, and programs, and is the home of the National Junior Baseball World Series. Grand Junction has experienced a 25 percent growth rate over the past 10 years. Special Projects: * Commission on Arts & Culture--In collaboration with local and state organizations, the commission supports artistic excellence, education and cultural diversity. Projects include "Art in Public Places," "Art on the Corner," and youth-at-risk programs. * Colorado Riverfront Greenway-This project is a riverfront expansion that includes a pedestrian bridge, parks, trails, wildlife areas, a botanical garden botanical garden, public place in which plants are grown both for display and for scientific study. An arboretum is a botanical garden devoted chiefly to the growing of woody plants. , a butterfly house and an amphitheater. James City County Division of Parks and Recreation, Williamsburg, Va.: 2003 Population: 49,318 In the past 10 years, the Years, The the seven decades of Eleanor Pargiter’s life. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 1109] See : Time division has grown from five parks on 140 acres and 1,706 recreation programs to 13 parks on 1,971 acres and 2,568 recreation programs. Special Projects: * Beyond the Bell--A free after-school program is offered to at-risk middle school students. Programs include volunteer projects, special events, and curriculum designed to encourage social interactions and leadership skills. * Adoption of the Greenway Master Plan--In response to enormous growth rates Growth Rates The compounded annualized rate of growth of a company's revenues, earnings, dividends, or other figures. Notes: Remember, historically high growth rates don't always mean a high rate of growth looking into the future. over the last couple decades; this plan was developed to balance environmental protection with the need for recreation amenities. CLASS V (POPULATION LESS THAN 25,000) Bloomingdale Park District, Bloomingdale, Ill.: 2003 Population: 24,157 Bloomingdale currently manages 15 parks and recreation facilities. Plans are underway for a new $4 million outdoor aquatic facility and a $1 million maintenance facility. Special Projects: * Westfield School Several schools share the name Westfield School:
* Sunnyside Park Water Quality Project--To create a natural meandering stream meandering stream A stream consisting of successive meanders. Meandering streams develop in relatively flat areas, such as a floodplain, and where sediment consists primarily of fine sands, silts, and muds. channel (that will create new habitats and plant communities and improve water quality), Bloomingdale (and others) will implement a "de-channelization" of part of the DuPage River The DuPage River, a tributary of the Des Plaines River actually starts as two individual streams. The West Branch of the DuPage River flows through the entire county, starting in Hanover Park in Cook County, and flowing south through Bartlett, Wheaton, Warrenville, Winfield, and . Breckenridge Leisure Services Department, Breckenridge, Colo.: 2003 Population: 3,126 Breckenridge takes pride in its ability to maintain its historic and small town character while dealing with its rapid growth over the past 30 years. Breckenridge is known for its mountains. Special Projects: * Acquisition of Key Open Space Areas--This program is meant to preserve open space and wildlife habitats, and in some cases, allow for new recreational areas. * Breckenridge Golf Course/Gold Run Nordic Center--To encourage year-round use of recreational space, a golf course used only four months out of the year was converted into a joint full-service winter ski facility. Evans Department of Parks and Recreation, Evans, Colo.: 2003 Population: 14,288 The Department oversees a system of parks and playgrounds totaling more than 100 acres, including a major regional recreation complex, a multipurpose mul·ti·pur·pose adj. Designed or used for several purposes: a multipurpose room; multipurpose software. multipurpose Adjective recreation center and a historical museum. Special Projects: * Prairie View Prairie View may refer to:
* Teen Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt--Participants (of all abilities) use flashlights to search for 5,500 plastic eggs filled with candy, gift certificates, and vouchers for prizes such as televisions and VCRs. Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department, Lake Forest, Ill.: 2003 Population: 20,059 Lake Forest manages six parks, a beach and boating area, an 18-hole golf course, a nature preserve, and year-round programming for all ages. Special Projects: * Elawa Farm Park--The only fully intact early 20th century Gentleman's Farm remaining in the Midwest, this historic site will be restored and improved to contain recreational amenities and a Wildlife Discovery Center. * Sailing Program--This award-winning program includes a fleet of new boats, safety instructors, a year-round sailing director, racing teams, and expanded programming with a local high school and Lake Forest College The College's current Chair of the Board of Trustees is financier Peter G. Schiff, a graduate with the class of 1974. [2] Lake Forest College is located at 555 North Sheridan Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045. U.S.A. . So what does it mean to win a Gold Medal? The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is bi-county agency that administers parks and planning in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland. It was formed in 1927 by the Maryland General Assembly. , a five-time winner, lists widespread recognition, justification of taxpayer funding, leverage for grant funding, and political benefits as examples of intangible rewards realized by winners. Public Affairs Officer Andrea G. Davey also stresses that winning the medal validates the efforts and contributions of an agency's volunteers, participants, and staff, and is a way to sincerely thank them for their outstanding support. Winning a Gold Medal is an excellent incentive for agencies to excel, and for communities to come together in their pursuit to provide park and recreation services. But Walt Johnson, creator and administrator of the Gold Medal Awards from 1965 until his retirement from NRPA this past year, stresses that the Gold Medal is not just about winning. Johnson sums it up best: "Throughout the many years I have been associated with the National Gold Medal Program, the agencies ... expressed to me how entering [the program] brought their communities together--staff, elected boards and commissions, and citizens. Although they may not have been selected as finalists, or were selected as finalists and did not win, the program caused them to take inventory and realize with pride, the excellence of their recreation and leisure services." If you'd like more information about the Gold Medal Awards, contact Amy Kapp at akapp@nrpa.org or (703) 858-2190. Information can also be acquired via the NRPA Web site at www.nrpa.org. Olympian Scheduled as Keynote Speaker During the same evening NRPA's Gold Medal Award winners will be announced, two-time gold medalist Dot Richardson will be the keynote speaker at the Opening General Session on Wednesday, Oct. 13, in Reno, Nev. Richardson and her teammates captured the gold in women's softball in the 1986 Atlanta Games and in the 2000 Sydney Games. In addition to her athletic prowess, Richardson is a highly honored orthopedic surgeon. She is the recipient of the elite status 2002 Flo Hyman Award The Flo Hyman Memorial Award was conferred annually between 1987 and 2004 by the Women's Sports Foundation in Washington, D.C., United States, on the organization's National Girls and Women in Sports Day to the female sportsperson, irrespective of nationality or sport contested, , and in June 2002, was named vice chair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is an American government organization that aims to "promote, encourage and motivate Americans of all ages to become physically active and participate in sports". , which advises the President on how to encourage more Americans to be physically active. As vice chairman, Richardson works with former NFL NFL abbr. National Football League NFL (US) n abbr (= National Football League) → Fußball-Nationalliga star and council chairman Lynn Swann, along with other distinguished council members including Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox are a member and currently champions of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball’s American League. From to the present, the Red Sox have played in Fenway Park. shortstop Nomar Garciaparra. Richardson in currently the director end medical director of The United States Center for Sports and Health in Orlando, Fla., the only facility in the United States that has a fully staffed hospital, an educational institution and a training facility all on the same campus. |
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