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Two North Dakota Park Districts head to Atlanta, Georgia, for a friendly battle for the title of "Grand Plaque Recipient" of the National Gold Medal.
This year’s National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) conference brought an exciting moment for North Dakota, as two of our park districts—Dickinson and Valley City—were nominated for the National Gold Medal Award. This nomination alone was a great honor, as the award recognizes excellence in park and recreation management on a national level. Both communities proudly represented North Dakota in Atlanta, Georgia, showcasing the innovative and dedicated work happening right here in our state.
The Gold Medal Award honors park districts that exemplify excellence in long-range planning, resource management, and forward-thinking approaches to delivering top-notch services. Dickinson and Valley City entered the contest for the grand plaque, competing against park districts from Ohio and Illinois in Category V, which includes 4 finalists from communities with populations under 30,000. The friendly competition was filled with pride and good spirits as each city brought its best to the table.
In the end, Dickinson emerged as the winner of the Grand Plaque, a well-deserved recognition of their hard work and dedication to serving their community. As fellow nominees, we at Valley City Parks and Recreation couldn’t be more excited to see Dickinson take home the Gold and see another North Dakota park district receive such high praise on the national stage. This is a moment of pride not only for Dickinson but for all of North Dakota!
This recognition reflects the passion and commitment North Dakota has for parks and recreation. It underscores the strength of our communities in fostering outdoor spaces that enhance quality of life, encourage healthy living, and bring people together. To have two North Dakota cities among the finalists is a testament to the leadership, stewardship, and innovation that define our state’s approach to recreation and park management.
Congratulations to Grand Plaque winner, Dickinson Parks and Recreation, on their well-deserved achievement!
