What Is the Academy
The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration
Established in 1980, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing leadership and excellence within the parks and recreation profession.
The Academy’s work is centered on three core pillars: research, professional development, and the advancement of best practices. It brings this mission to life through nationally recognized programs and initiatives that shape the future of the field. The Academy administers the prestigious Gold Medal Awards program, honoring outstanding park and recreation agencies across the United States. It also invests directly in the next generation of leaders through its Mentoring Program and Externship Program, connecting emerging professionals with experienced executives and real-world leadership opportunities. Through the Legends Program and other professional engagement efforts, the Academy captures and shares the wisdom of distinguished leaders while fostering dialogue on emerging issues and best practices. Together, these initiatives strengthen leadership, encourage innovation, and elevate the practice of park and recreation administration nationwide.
Membership in the Academy is by nomination and is comprised of 100 Practitioners, 25 Educators, 12 Urban Directors, and 13 Advocates. Members are recognized leaders with a minimum of 15 years of high-level administrative experience, demonstrated professional achievement, and sustained service to the profession.
Our Vision
To Inspire, Influence and Advance the Park and Recreation Profession
Our Core Values
- Leadership: We are viewed as thoughtful leaders and as a resource for the profession.
- Impactful: We use our collective wisdom and experience to improve the parks and recreation profession.
- Innovative and Progressive: We are a learning community that embodies continuous improvement within the changing needs of the profession.
- Belonging: We commit to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion by actively seeking to create safe, secure, and supportive environments.
Our Mission
An Academy of distinguished park and recreation administrators and scholars committed to research, professional development, and the use of best practices.
The Academy is a national organization comprised of highly experienced professionals and educators dedicated to the advancement of the profession of parks, recreation, and conservation.
The Academy is limited to 150 current practitioners and educators. Membership is by nomination, and nominees must have extensive administrative experience, professional involvement, and demonstrated leadership.
In addition to the actively employed members (Fellows), the Academy is also proud of its Emeritus Fellows; Academy members who, by personal definition, are retired from the profession. Emeritus Fellows are encouraged to actively participate in Academy programs including serving on committees to share collective wisdom and experience. They have all the rights and privileges of full membership, including the right to vote. There is no limit to the number of Emeritus Fellows; they are a separate category of membership and not part of the 150 members who are currently employed.
The Academy is committed to a culture of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the profession of parks and recreation by celebrating diversity without division through the provision of tools and strategies for the inclusion of all.
The Academy focus is to inspire and advance public Park and Recreation administration by promoting research, professional development and mentoring of professionals. The Academy recognizes excellence in Parks and Recreation through various awards, including the prestigious National Gold Medal Awards program. The Academy also publishes a scholarly publication, The Journal for Park and Recreation Administration, bridging the gap between research and practice.