GrandPrairieReporter.com

A large crowd of city officials, parks & recreation employees, and well wishers gathered at the Ruthe Jackson Center for a Gold Medal Announcement Party Wednesday morning to hear a live broadcast from the 2008 NRPA Congress & Exposition being held in Baltimore, Maryland. The live announcement was made possible with help from the Grand Prairie AirHogs and their broadcast communication equipment.

The National Recreation and Park Association is a national membership organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of more than 21,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.

“This is super, super for Grand Prairie, Texas,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ruthe Jackson. “I have been here since 1931 and this is the most exciting national award the city has received in my memory.”

“The National Recreation and Parks Association Gold Medal Award is the highest award that any parks and recreation entity can win in America,” Parks and Recreation Director Rick Herold said.

To win the award he said, “It really starts with our grand citizens who really make parks and recreations a priority. It starts with our citizens voting for a sales tax, our community leaders who have the vision and said we want grand things, our partners, and of course our great staff for doing whatever it takes.”