Annually, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) and the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) recognize parks and recreation agencies that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition. Each agency is judged on its ability to address the needs of those it serves through the collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials.
The AAPRA and NRPA have awarded South Suburban the Grand Gold Medal Award three times (1980,1988 and 1996), and South Suburban has been a Gold Medal finalist 10 other times (1976, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2008, 2011 and 2012).