American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration

?? This Thanksgiving week, The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration extends our deepest gratitude to the more than 10,000 Recreation and Parks Departments across the nation. Your unwavering dedication to serving every individual in your communities is truly inspiring. In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, these incredible teams have organized countless celebrations, food drives, and initiatives to bring people together. While many prepare to enjoy the holiday with loved ones, park and recreation professionals ensure no one is left behind. Through shared tables, food distributions, and welcoming spaces, they create moments of connection and care for those in need. For anyone seeking solace or renewal this season, parks offer so much more than just a space — they are sanctuaries for reflection, healing, and connection with nature. These public lands, entrusted to us all, stand as a testament to community health and unity. We also take this moment to honor the Indigenous Peoples, the original stewards of these lands, whose enduring legacy guides our commitment to protect and nurture these shared spaces for generations to come. This Thanksgiving, we are thankful for you — the individuals, families, and communities who inspire our mission daily. Wishing you and your loved ones a warm, meaningful, and joyful holiday. ???? #Thanksgiving #ParksAndRecreation #Gratitude #CommunityWellnes

In less than two months the 118th Congress will wrap up. This means we need your help to push the Outdoors for All Act across the finish line! While the House of Representatives passed this bill back in the spring, the Senate has yet to take it up. Let's bring the benefits of green space and parks to all Americans. Let's urge Congress to pass this critical, bipartisan bill this year: https://lnkd.in/eQ5sQRrx #OutdoorsForAll #PowerOfParks

???A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Partners and Sponsors!??? The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) is deeply grateful to our partners and sponsors whose support makes our mission possible. Your commitment to advancing excellence in the field of parks and recreation helps create impactful programs, foster professional growth, and strengthen communities nationwide. ?????? From championing the?National Gold Medal Award?program to supporting the prestigious?Pugsley Medal?and initiatives that empower our members and inspire the next generation of park and recreation leaders, your contributions are vital to our success. Together, we are promoting innovation, setting standards, and celebrating the achievements of parks and recreation professionals across the country. ??? ?? The Davey Tree Expert Company ???? Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands ?? Landscape Structures ?? Musco Lighting ??♀? National Recreation and Park Association ? National Park Foundation ?? Sagamore-Venture ?? Williams Architects Thank you for your ongoing support, vision, and dedication to enhancing the lives of individuals and families through parks and recreation. We look forward to the continued journey together in building vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities. #AAPRA #ParksAndRec #CommunitySupport #Partnerships #Sponsors #ThankYou #CommunityImpact

?? ?? Happy #WorldKindnessDay from the American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration! Today, let’s celebrate the power of kindness to transform communities. Whether it’s a smile, a helping hand, or simply sharing a moment outdoors together, small acts can make a big impact. Join us in spreading kindness in your local parks and recreation facilities! #ParksForAll

?? Applications for the 2025 National Gold Medal Award are Now Open! ?? The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), is proud to announce that applications for the 2025 National Gold Medal Award are now open! This prestigious award celebrates excellence in parks and recreation, honoring agencies across the country for outstanding service, innovation, and community impact. ?????? If your agency is committed to setting the standard for best practices and delivering high-quality, impactful recreation and park programs, this is your chance to gain national recognition! The award categories accommodate agencies of all sizes, including state, county, and local levels, as well as military recreation. ?? Key Details ?? : ?? Application Deadline: March 7, 2025 ?? Eligibility: Open to agencies across the U.S., including community, county, state, and armed forces recreation departments ? Application Process: Visit https://lnkd.in/eEDgiydE for more details and application guidelines. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate your team's dedication to building vibrant, healthy communities through exceptional parks and recreation services! #AAPRA #NRPA #ParksAndRec #GoldMedalAward #CommunityEngagement #ExcellenceInRecreation

The Stories that Shape NRPA’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan features Academy members Michael Clark, Jill Geller, Roslyn Johnson, CPRP, and Donna Kuethe. Listen to sage advice about being a newcomer to the industry, learn about what fuels their own journey as a parks and recreation professional, and see why NRPA was inspired by their stories.

?? Celebrating Excellence in Parks and Conservation! ?? Congratulations to Peter M. Murphy, Sara Pauley, and Dr. Maria A. Whitehead, this year’s distinguished recipients of the Honorable Cornelius Amory Pugsley Medal! This prestigious award, administered by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), has recognized exceptional leadership in parks and conservation since 1928. AAPRA teams with The Davey Tree Expert Company and National Park Foundation in honoring individuals whose vision and efforts elevate public lands and enrich community life. Pugsley Committee Chair Elizabeth S. Kessler, MBA, CPRE, stated “Bestowing the Pugsley Medal not only celebrates an individual’s lifelong contributions to parks and conservation and the positive difference they have made on the natural world, but also acts as a compelling call to inspire a broader community to join in the vital mission of preserving and nurturing our environment to create a vibrant, sustainable and climate-resilient future where people and nature thrive.” Thank you Peter, Sara and Maria for inspiring us all! #AAPRA #ParksAndRecreation #Leadership #Conservation #NationalParkFoundation #DaveyTrees

?? Introducing AAPRA’s 2024-2025 Leadership Team! ?? We are proud to announce the new officers and directors for the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) for the 2024-2025 term. These leaders bring a wealth of experience and passion for advancing parks and recreation across the nation. ??Executive Leadership?? President: Cindie Sullivan, CPRP President-Elect: Elizabeth S. Kessler, MBA, CPRE Secretary: Stacey Laird Dicke, CPRP Treasurer: Robert Armistead, CPRP Past President: Tracy M. Crawford, CTRS, CPRP ?? Directors ?? Director (2025): Michael J. Kalvort, CPRE Director (2025): RJ Cardin Director (2026): Rick Atkins, CPRP Director (2026): Deb Jordan, Re.D. Director (2027): Darrell Critendon, CPRP Director (2027): Bernita Reese We look forward to the incredible leadership and contributions this team will bring to the Academy and the parks and recreation profession. Let’s make 2024-2025 a year of bold collaboration and unparalleled excellence! ?? #AAPRA #Leadership #ParksAndRecreation #CommunityExcellence #RecreationProfessionals

?? Welcoming New Members to the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration! ?? AAPRA is thrilled to welcome an incredible group of new members across Urban Directors, Educators, and Practitioners. These leaders bring a wealth of experience, passion, and vision to advance parks and recreation management nationwide. Educators ?? Dr. June N. Price-Shingles N. Price-Shingles, Ed.D. – Director of Recreation Program, Chicago State University, IL ?? Sydney Sklar, Ph.D. – Professor & Chair, Recreation & Sport Management, University of St. Francis, IL ?? Melissa Schnuck Weddell, Ph.D. – Director, Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research, University of Montana, MT Practitioners/Professionals ?? David Bennett – Executive Director, Charles County Park & Recreation Commission, SC ?? Robert Carmona – Director, Town of Gilbert Parks & Recreation, AZ ?? Tara Eggleston Stewart, CPRE Eggleston Stewart – Chief, Aquatics & Athletics, Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, MD ?? Matthew Enoch, CPRE – Chief, Community Recreation Division, US Army Fort Riley, KS ?? Tara Gee – Park Planning & Development Manager, Roseville Parks, Recreation & Libraries, CA ?? Seth Hendler-Voss, MPA, CPRE, RLA, AAPRA-Voss – Director, Parks, Recreation & Tourism, Prince William County, VA ?? Nancy Kaiser – Consultant, Rogers, AR ?? Dr. Tony Lopez – Deputy Town Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Town of Miami Lakes, FL ?? Jeff Muck – Director, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services, Novi, MI ?? Kim Reser – Assistant Director, Springfield-Greene County Park Board, MO ?? Lisa Sheppard – Executive Director, Glencoe Park District, IL ?? Jeff Stewart, CPRP – Executive Director, Johnson County Park & Recreation District, KS ?? Bill Tschirhart – Chief of Administration, Five Rivers Metroparks, OH Urban Directors ??? Anthony Paul (A.P.) Diaz, Esq. – Superintendent, Seattle Parks & Recreation, WA ??? Corey K. Wilson, J.D. – Superintendent, Recreation and Park Commission, Parish of East Baton Rouge, LA These new members reflect AAPRA’s commitment to fostering excellence in parks and recreation through collaboration, education, and innovation. We are excited to see how their expertise will shape the future of the field and continue to uplift communities across the country. Welcome aboard! ?? ?? Learn more about AAPRA: www.aapra.org #AAPRA #ParksAndRecreation #Leadership #CommunityExcellence #RecreationProfessionals #Welcome

As a young professional who “fell” into the world of Parks and Recreation, I have always felt it’s important for me to introduce young people to the field. As a high schooler and frankly even college student, I never realized that my supervisor at the City had what I’ve found to be a dream job for me. Its a goal of mine to help more young people find this career early on, instead of falling into it. That’s why you’ll find me at high schools, colleges, youth groups—anywhere I can advocate for young people to discover the field in my free time. To my parks and recreation colleagues, I’d appreciate it if you’d take a minute to complete the brief survey below about how you became aware of a career in our field. This information will help shape a national campaign to develop our future workforce that I have the privilege of working on with the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and my friends Cindie Sullivan, CPRP Thomas Venniro, CPRP Dr. Tiffany P. White-LaPierre, CPRE, AFO Tim Herd Jean Keller and many other brilliant folks! Survey: https://lnkd.in/gGZ4UD4J