The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Named a Finalist for 2023 National Gold Medal Awards for Park Excellence

Prestigious award recognizes M-NCPPC’s ability to address the recreational and  environmental needs of the community.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is proud to announce it has been named a finalist in the 2023 National Gold Medal Awardsfor excellence in Park and Recreation Management. Two of the M-NCPPC departments, Montgomery Parks and Prince George’s Parks and Recreation, applied jointly for the award. The award is given by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association. M-NCPPC has already won six Gold Medals.

The Gold Medal Awards program recognizes park departments throughout the country that prove excellence in serving their communities. Areas evaluated include long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development, and agency recognition. 

“We are honored to be a finalist for this prestigious award for our parks and recreation management,” said Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County Director Bill Tyler. “The Commission strives for excellence each and every day, and we are committed to continuing to provide outstanding parks and recreation services, programs, and events to residents and visitors.”

“The Gold Medal Award represents the highest standard by which park and recreation agencies are assessed. Montgomery Parks is honored to be a finalist for this award in the company of several other agencies of distinction. It is a testament to the important work we do to improve the quality of people’s lives,” said Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks. 

In applying for the award, M-NCPPC officials cited the agency’s mission to manage physical growth and plan communities; to protect and steward natural, cultural, and historic resources; and to provide leisure and recreational experiences. 

The application also highlighted the diverse communities and interests served by M-NCPPC. Its bi-county structure serves both Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Its facilities meet a variety of interests from cricket to pickleball, therapeutic horseback riding to mountain biking, and offers nationally recognized museums and gardens.

M-NCPPC is one of four finalists in the category of agencies serving more than 400,000 residents. Other park and recreation systems nominated as finalists for the award include parks in Virginia Beach, VA, Gwinnett County, GA, and Hillsborough County, FL. The Gold Medal Awards will be presented at the National Recreation and Parks Association conference in October. The top-rated agency will be awarded the Grand Plaque Award.

About M-NCPPC: Founded in 1927, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a nationally recognized leader in land use planning, parks, and recreation achieving countless awards for innovation, stewardship, and exemplary vision for enhancing the lives of current and future generations for Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. The agency improves the well-being of over two million residents and countless visitors within this region by planning the coordinated and harmonious physical growth and development of the region; protecting and stewarding natural, cultural, and historical resources; providing an award-winning system of parks; creating recreational experiences that enhance the quality of life of all individuals; and planning great communities that are vibrant, livable, accessible, and sustainable. For more information visit http://www.mncppc.org.

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration is a non-profit organization founded to advance knowledge related to the administration of recreation and parks; to encourage scholarly efforts by both practitioners and educators that would enhance the practice of park and recreation administration; to promote broader public understanding of the importance of parks and recreation to the public good; and, to conduct research, publish scholarly papers and sponsor seminars related to the advancement of park and recreation administration.

The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space.