Palm Beach County Receives Two 2026 NACPRO Awards for Parks and Recreation Initiatives

The Department was honored in the Park and Recreation Program - Class 3 category for its Schools in Pools Program and in the Planning Initiative category for its Planning, Research and Development Division. These recognitions reflect the Department's commitment to innovative programming, community partnerships and data-driven decision-making that enhance quality of life across Palm Beach County.

"This recognition reflects the passion and dedication of our team, who work every day to provide meaningful programs and plan for the future of our park system," said Jennifer Cirillo. "We are honored to be recognized nationally and remain committed to serving our community with excellence."

The Schools in Pools Program, led by the Aquatics Division in partnership with the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County, Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County and the School District of Palm Beach County, provides free, in-school swim lessons to elementary students at Pioneer Park Aquatic Center. Serving the Belle Glade community, the program removes barriers to access and delivers critical water safety education to hundreds of students, including those with disabilities, while supporting long-term community safety.

The Planning, Research and Development Division was recognized for implementing Placer.ai, enhancing how park usage is measured through reliable, data-driven insights. This approach supports better planning, programming and resource allocation across the county.

Award recipients will be formally recognized during the NACPRO Awards Ceremony on May 20, 2026, in Sarasota.