Glencoe Park District Honored as 2025 National Gold Medal Finalist for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management
Monday, April 28, 2025
The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), has announced the Finalists for the 2025 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. Among the honorees is the Glencoe Park District, which has been named a Finalist in Class V, recognizing its exceptional contribution to parks and recreation. The award program is proudly sponsored by Musco Lighting, LLC.
The National Gold Medal Award is the highest honor in the parks and recreation field, celebrating agencies that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development, and community engagement. Finalists are evaluated and selected by a panel of five distinguished park and recreation professionals based on their innovative programs, dedicated leadership, and significant impact on the communities they serve.
This recognition is significant for the Glencoe Park District, as 2025 marks its first year of eligibility to reapply since earning the prestigious Grand Plaque in 2019. The district was also honored as a Finalist in 2017, 2018, and 2019, an achievement that underscores the district's longstanding commitment to excellence.
"It is an incredible honor for the Glencoe Park District to be recognized as a Finalist in the prestigious National Gold Medal Award Program," said Lisa Sheppard, Executive Director of the Glencoe Park District. "This achievement reflects the dedication of our staff, board, volunteers, and the support of our community in creating exceptional parks, facilities, and programs that enhance the quality of life in Glencoe. We are proud to stand alongside other outstanding agencies in Illinois and across the country."
Illinois is well-represented, with other Finalists including:
- Class III: Waukegan Park District
- Class IV: Glenview Park District and Park District of Oak Park
- Class V: Glencoe Park District and Oak Brook Park District
One Finalist agency in each class will receive the Grand Plaque, which will be presented during the 2025 NRPA Annual Conference, held September 16-18 in Orlando, Florida.
Since the program's inception in 1965, the National Gold Medal Awards have distinguished themselves as a benchmark of success in the parks and recreation profession. Glencoe's legacy of excellence, highlighted by its Grand Plaque win in 2019 and return as a 2025 Finalist, showcases its ongoing commitment to delivering innovative and impactful parks and recreation services.
For more information about the Gold Medal Awards, visit www.nrpa.org.