MILTON, Fla. – The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), announced Naval Air Station Whiting Field’s Morale Welfare and Recreation department as a finalist for the 2022 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.

Founded in 1965, 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 separated into six classes, with five classes based on population and one class for armed forces.

“Congratulations to the 2022 Gold Medal Finalists from the United States Army and United States Navy! AAPRA is proud to administer this program which recognizes excellence in park and recreation management from a variety of perspectives,” said Jane H. Adams, Executive Director, AAPRA. “We thank the installations which applied in 2022, particularly considering the continued stress and management demands of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applying during this challenging time speaks to the importance of this award program to park and recreation professionals and the profession.”

NAS Whiting Field MWR is one of the finalists in the Armed Forces Parks and Recreation category. MWR serves military members and their families at Whiting Field with recreational, physical fitness and family activities such as 5K fun runs, physical fitness challenges, campouts, movie nights, library activities, and many other events geared toward enhancing a family community and morale among Sailors.  

“To be announced as a finalist for the Gold Award is a true testament to our team and the community we serve,” said Tom Kubalewski, MWR Director, NAS Whiting Field. “As a team of recreation professionals, the people who make up the MWR organization have made a commitment to serve our military and DoD warfighters and families. It is rewarding to see each of them recognized through this achievement. This nomination also says that we have continued to ensure that our military community receives the very best that we have to offer and that our best is recognized on a national level. I could not be more proud of the MWR team and the community we serve.”

Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of community members, staff members and elected officials. NAS Whiting Field MWR joins three other finalists in their class that will compete for the Grand Plaque which will be awarded in September.

“Our NAS Whiting Field MWR team is the best in the business,” said Capt. Paul Flores, commanding officer, NAS Whiting Field.  “These outstanding men and women creatively design and execute a variety of fun activities and major events throughout the year to help our Sailors and their families stay healthy and engaged. We’re proud of their accomplishments and hope to see them win the Grand Plaque in September,” he remarked.

A panel of five highly qualified park and recreation professionals will review and judge all application materials. Judges are chosen for their considerable experience in managing park and recreation agencies and their knowledge of parks and recreation on the local, state and national levels.  

Presentation of the finalist and the Grand Plaque recipients will occur in person at the 2022 NRPA Conference, September 20-22 in Phoenix, Ariz.

For more information on the National Gold Medal Award Program, visit www.aapra.org.

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