The Gold Medal Award honors communities throughout the United States that

demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management, and agency 

recognition.  Each agency is judged on its ability to address the needs of those it

serves through the collective energies of citizens, staff, and elected officials.

The Gold Medal Award Program includes seven classes:  five classes based upon 

population, one class for armed forces recreation and one class for state park

systems in odd numbered years.