Palm Beach County Named Finalist for 2026 National Gold Medal Awards in Parks and Recreation

P alm Beach County Parks and Recreation is recognized as one of this year's finalists, placing the county among the nation's leading park and recreation systems. Applications are separated into six classes, with five classes based on population and one class for armed forces recreation. Palm Beach County is a finalist in the Class I category for agencies serving populations over 400,000.

Established in 1965, the National Gold Medal Awards program recognizes communities across the United States that demonstrate e xcellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program innovation, professional development and organizational excellence.

"T his recognition reflects the incredible dedication of our staff, the continued support of our Board of County Commissioners and County Administration, and the strong connection our residents have to their parks and public spaces," said Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Cirillo. "Parks and recreation play an essential role in building healthy communities, protecting natural resources and driving positive economic impact throughout Palm Beach County. We are honored to be recognized nationally for the work happening throughout Palm Beach County."

A panel of five park and recreation professionals reviews and judges all application materials. Judges are selected for their extensive experience and expertise in parks and recreation at both the local and national levels.

Palm Beach County advances to compete for the National Gold Medal Award Grand Plaque honor, which will be announced Sept. 30, 2026, at the NRPA Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

For more information on the National Gold Medal Awards, visit www.aapra.org or www.nrpa.org.