South Suburban was named a finalist for the 2024 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management on May 2, by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

Since 1965, the National Gold Medal Award Program has recognized the best managed park and recreation agencies in the country. South Suburban was named a 2024 finalist in the Class II category (150,001-400,000 residents) and is joined by Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Division of Parks and Recreation, and Roseville Parks, Recreation & Libraries Department.

“Being named a finalist for the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in park and recreation management is a huge achievement for our organization,” said South Suburban Board Member Pam Eller. “Earning this recognition two years in a row reinforces South Suburban's position as one of the top park and recreation agencies in the country."

The AAPRA and NRPA have awarded South Suburban the Gold Medal Grand Plaque Award three times (1980,1988 and 1996), and South Suburban has been a Gold Medal finalist 12 times (1976, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2023 and 2024).

The Gold Medal Award program honors communities in the United States 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, awarded on odd numbered years, 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.

This year’s finalist awardees will compete for Grand Plaque Award honor, and the Grand Plaque recipients will be announced at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Learn more about the 2024 Gold Medal finalists.