The Town of Fountain Hills Community Services Department was awarded the prestigious 2022 Grand Plaque Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) annual conference being held in Phoenix. The department was honored in the Class Five category for populations of 30,000 or fewer.
The department was recognized as a Gold Medal finalist for the second consecutive year by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The Grand Plaque was presented to the Director of Community Services, Rachael Goodwin, at the association’s award banquet on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
“This is such an exciting and well-deserved recognition for the department and the leadership of department director Rachael Goodwin. Being honored two years in a row, then winning the highest honor, is an amazing and well-deserved accomplishment. It demonstrates the quality of leadership and staff in the department,” said Mayor Ginny Dickey. “We are fortunate to have world-class parks, trails, and services that residents and visitors enjoy. Our small, but mighty department, deserves this acknowledgment.”
The National Gold Medal Awards program honors communities in the United States that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development, and agency recognition. Applications are categorized into six classes, five based on population and one for armed forces.
Cities and towns submitted a written application, and those chosen as Gold Medal finalists had a few short weeks to produce a five-minute video highlighting their programs and achievements.
The Community Services Department oversees and works collaboratively with many community organizations in maintaining and providing services with Town parks, trails, Community Center, parks and recreation, community arts programs, volunteers, special events, Home Delivered Meals, and more.
For more information on the National Gold Medal Award Program and the Town of Fountain Hills Community Services Department, visit www.fountainhillsaz.gov/communityservices.