South Suburban Park and Recreation District was recognized this past summer by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) and the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) as being one of the top four recreation agencies in the United States.

Annually, AAPRA and NRPA host a Gold Medal Award competition to honor communities 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.

As one of four national finalists for agencies serving 100,001 to 250,000 residents, South Suburban competed for the highest honor, the prestigious Grand Gold Medal Award. South Suburban is a prior three-time Grand Gold Medal Award winner (1980,1988 and 1996) and has earned recognition as a Gold Medal finalist eight other times (1976, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2008).

We are honored South Suburban was chosen again this year as a finalist for this prestigious award, and thus, recognized nationally for excellence in its field.