St. Charles Park District Receives National Recognition for Excellence

The St. Charles Park Board of Commissioners and staff proudly display the
District’s recognition plaque as a finalist for the 2012 National Recreation
and Park Association’s Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation
Management at the Park Board meeting held Oct. 23.

The district was honored earlier this month at NRPA’s annual Congress &
Exposition in Anaheim, Calif. This award that  recognizes park
and recreational agencies throughout the country for excellence in long-range
planning, resource management, citizen support systems, environmental
stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition. 

The district was a finalist in the population category of 25,001 to 50,000
residents. Other finalists included the town of Castle Rock Parks and
Recreation Department in Colorado, the town of Leesburg Parks and Recreation
Department in Virginia, and West Bend Parks, Recreation and Forestry in
Wisconsin.

Park District Director Ray Ochromowicz stated, “The Park District is honored to
be a Gold Medal Award finalist and to be viewed nationally as a leader in the
park and recreation field. Our agency won the award in 1998 and we have been a
seven-time finalist over the years. Receiving this national recognition and
acclaim is a tribute to the Board of Park Commissioners, the entire staff and
the residents of our community. This continual recognition as a finalist is a
testimony to the hard work and dedication of many.

This honor is presented by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and Musco Lighting LLC. Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials. Four finalists in each class are chosen to compete for grand honors each year.