News & Announcements

Three prominent park and conservation leaders from Virginia, Missouri, and Michigan received the Honorable Cornelius Amory Pugsley Medal for Parks and Conservation, September 17, 2025, at the annual awards dinner hosted by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in Orlando, Florida. The Honorable Cornelius Amory Pugsley Medals are the most prestigious awards that recognize outstanding contributions to the promotion and development of public parks and conservation in the United States. The inaugural Pugsley Medals were awarded in 1928.

Orlando, Florida, Sept 17, 2025– The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), is pleased to announce the Grand Plaque recipients in the 2025 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. Musco Lighting, LLC is proud to continue sponsoring the Gold Medal Awards program as it has for more than 20 years. View photo gallery and the announcement video.

The following individuals will be inducted into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the Academy’s General Membership Meeting in Orlando. Academy Fellows are elected to the organization by the Academy Board of Directors following an extensive evaluation of their significant work contributions; efforts in promoting justice, equity, diversity and inclusion; degrees completed; acquired professional certifications; leadership in local, state, regional or national organizations; published research, articles and presentations; honors and awards; and letters of support from current members. 

Urban Director Fellows 

• Kyla Brown, CPRE, Parks Director/General Manager, Riverside County Regional Park and Open Space District, Jurupa Valley, California
• Nick Walker, CPRE, Director, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, Huntersville, North Carolina
• James C. Wheeler, CAFO, General Manager, Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, Hayward, California 

Educator Fellow 

• Stephanie T. West, PhD, James Madison University, Harrisburg, Virginia

Practitioner/Professional Fellows

• Carlo Capalbo, CPRE, Executive Director, Plainfield Park District, Plainfield, Illinois
• Laure Kosey, PhD, CPRE, Executive Director, Oak Brook Park District, Oak Brook, Illinois
• Jackie O’Connell, CPRP, Executive Director, MetroParks of Butler County, Hamilton, Ohio

In announcing the 2025 National Gold Medal Finalists, AAPRA Executive Director Jane H. Adams shared, “Each agency is commended for submitting a 2025 application for the prestigious National Gold Medal Award. The Academy congratulates the 20 local park and recreation agencies, three state parks, and four armed forces installations on receiving the Finalist award. We look forward to presenting these awards at the Gold Medal Gala Reception in Orlando, Florida, as part of the National Recreation and Park Association’s annual conference.” The 2025 National Gold Medal finalists are: 

In support of its research mission, the American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration (AAPRA) hosts an annual research paper competition that alternates between best doctoral dissertation (even numbered years) and best master’s thesis/special project paper (odd numbered years). The following three awards will be given in 2025: One (1) Masters/Special Project Paper $750 and up to $500 in travel funds to attend the NRPA 2025 Annual Conference in Orlando, FL, September 16-18, 2025, and a Award Certificate of Merit. Two (2) Certificate of Merit awards to two Masters/Special Project Paper finalists.