In May, The City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department was notified of being a finalist for the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association 2018 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. Tomorrow department representatives attending the 2018 NRPA National Conference will learn if Lawrence Parks and Recreation takes home the top prize when it is announced 8-10:30 a.m. CST during the opening general session of the conference being held in Indianapolis, Ind.
Lawrence Parks and Recreation is a finalist in the Class III category along with Bloomington (Ind.) Parks and Recreation Department, City of Evanston (Ill.), Parks and Recreation and Community Services and Greeley (Colo.) Culture, Parks and Recreation. Lawrence Parks and Recreation has been a finalist four times in its history. The other three years were 1997, 1998 and 2015.
Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials. A panel of five park and recreation professionals reviews and judges all application materials. Judges are chosen for their considerable experience and knowledge in parks and recreation on both the local and national levels.