THPRD Recognized for Excellence At National Level

For the third consecutive year, the Tualatin Hills Park
& Recreation District has been selected as a finalist for one of its industry’s most coveted national awards.

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association have announced that THPRD is among the finalists for a 2018 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. The accolade signifies “excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition.”

Only six agencies nationwide will earn the NRPA Gold Medal in 2018. Five of the winners will be chosen based on population and the sixth will be awarded for armed forces recreation. THPRD is in the Class II category (serving 150,001 to 400,000 people).

Tualatin Hills – which last fall earned accreditation from NRPA’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), an honor held by fewer than 2% of U.S. providers – is one of four Class II finalists. The others are Arlington County, Va.; Arlington, Texas; and Tampa, Fla.

“As with the CAPRA recognition we received last fall, this is one more indication that what we are doing to serve our patrons is consistent with the very best park and recreation agencies in the U.S.,” said Ali Kavianian, THPRD Board president. “We are honored to be considered for the Gold Medal Award again, and we thank our diverse community for providing us with the resources to make it possible.”

Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of community members, staff and elected officials. A panel of five park and recreation professionals reviews and judges all application materials. Judges are chosen for their considerable experience in parks and recreation on both the local and national levels.

Winners in each population category will be announced during the NRPA’s annual conference in Indianapolis Sept. 25-27.

About THPRD
Formed in 1955, THPRD is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning 50 square miles and serving about 250,000 residents in the greater Beaverton area. The district provides year-round recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Offerings include thousands of widely diverse classes, 95 park sites with active recreational amenities, nearly 70 miles of trails, eight swim centers, six recreation centers, and about 1,500 acres of natural areas. For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503-645-6433.