Gold Medal winners announced: winning agencies see the fruits of hard work realized.

Every year, one of the highlights of NRPA's Congress, becomes the announcement of the Gold Medal Award winners, and the Reno/ Tahoe Congress proved to be no different.

The National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management are presented by The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with NRPA.

The Gold Medals represent and honor the nation's outstanding park and recreation agencies for excellence in the field of recreation management. The program focuses on the achievements of state park systems and their contributions in providing park, recreation and leisure services to the citizens of their states.

After receiving 238 applications, the Gold Medal Awards committee narrowed the field to three agencies for each class (there are five classes in total). After waiting for almost two hours through the opening session, winners were finally announced by Chris Jarvi of the National Park Service. They were:

Class I (Population 250,000+): Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Austin, Texas

Class II (Population 100,000-250,000): Tallahassee Parks and Recreation Department, Tallahassee, Fla.

Class III (Population 50,000-l00,000): Schaumburg Park District, Schaumburg, Ill.

Class IV (Population (25,000-50,000): Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Department, Grand Junction, Colo.

Class V (Population Less Than 25,000): Evans Department of Parks and Recreation, Evans, Colo.

As Jarvi announced the winner for each class, screams of triumph from the winning agency were heard throughout the hall.

"No matter how hard you try to be realistic in weighing the outcome, during the ceremony we started to think that another department might win," says Andrew McRoberts of Evans, Colo. "However, after a second, when it really sunk in, we felt total elation and pride that our little department so deserved such a prestigious award. Quite an adrenaline rush!"

For all the winning agencies, the award symbolized a lot of hard work in their communities and a team effort by the staff of the department. Joe Stevens, director of Grand Junction parks and recreation department says, "It is an honor and a privilege to work with staff, volunteers and a community that so aptly demonstrates talent day in and day out. This recognition is a tribute to our community and our values."

The award can also help the agency gain exposure within the town, and ultimately could result in increased funding or good will from other city officials. Most agencies, such as Grand Junction and Evans, present the award to the mayor and city council, which helps validate the park and recreation department.

"Success can be measured in a number of ways, but if one loves what they do and can impart that joy to the public we serve, this Gold Medal Award can help inspire and validate a mandate to serve our community."