Lexington Parks & Recreation was a finalist for the prestigious National Gold Medal Award governed and managed by the American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Lexington was a finalist in the Class II category, which includes cities with a population of 150,001 – 400,000.
“I could not be prouder of our city and division for being chosen as a finalist for this award,” said Monica Conrad, Director of Lexington Parks & Recreation. “This doesn’t happen without our amazing staff, wonderful community partners, and dedicated volunteers. While there is always work to do to meet the goals and needs identified in our Master Plan, our team and city leadership are dedicated to reaching those goals and ensuring our parks are welcoming and beautiful for all to enjoy. Thank you to AAPRA and NRPA for their recognition and continued guidance and resources they provide.”
Founded in 1965, the Gold Medal Awards program honors communities throughout the country that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development, and agency recognition. Applications are separated into seven classes, with five classes based on population, one class for armed forces recreation, and one class for state park systems.
Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of community members, staff, and elected officials. Four finalists in each class are chosen to compete for grand honors each year with the winner announced at the annual NRPA conference in October.
Mayor Linda Gorton said, “It is no secret that we love our parks here in Lexington. With over 100 parks, as well as numerous community, arts, aquatics, and golf facilities throughout the city, there are so many amazing spaces for people to gather and enjoy activities. Congratulations to Director Conrad and the entire Parks team for their efforts in managing our wonderful park system and constantly working toward ways to expand and make it even better.”
The finalist recognition only further demonstrates Lexington Parks & Recreation’s commitment to its vision, which is to inspire imagination and exploration and mission to build community and enrich life through parks, programs, and play. The division’s vision and mission accompany core values which include community, stewardship, inclusion, collaboration, and innovation – each accomplished through a series of goals and objectives found in the Your Parks, Our Future Master and Strategic Plans from 2018 and 2024.
This was the first time in over 15 years that Lexington Parks & Recreation had applied for the award, and its first time as a finalist. Other finalists included Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation (Arlington, VA), Roseville Parks, Recreation & Libraries Department (Roseville, CA), and this year’s winner, South Suburban Park and Recreation District (Littleton, CO).
Parks & Recreation, a division of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, oversees the programing, maintenance, and development of over 100 city parks and natural areas, six pools, five golf courses, community centers, recreational programs, and three arts venues. To find out more, follow @LexKYParks on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for the email newsletter.
