Marine Corps Base Wins Recreation Management Award

NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 27, 2017 — One of four nominated Defense Department installations was recognized today as the winner of the 2017 National Gold Medal Grand Plaque Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management for the armed forces during a ceremony in New Orleans, Louisiana, yesterday, defense officials said.

The morale, welfare and recreation program at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, was recognized for its excellence during the general session of the annual conference of the National Recreation and Park Association, a national not-for-profit organization committed to the advancement of public parks, recreation and conservation.

“By receiving this prestigious award, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point has demonstrated a commitment to excellence,” said Chris Nunes, president of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.

“It is an honor to be the 2017 NRPA Armed Forces Gold Medal winner. The hard work and dedication the entire team puts in daily is paramount in supporting the mission of the installation to include offering wonderful recreational facilities and ensuring conservation efforts are maintained, just to name a few,” said Kimberly Johnston of Semper Fit. “Marine Corps Community Services, Cherry Point is thrilled to be recognized at the NRPA conference.”

Armed Forces Recreation Gold Medal Award

The Armed Forces Recreation Gold Medal Award, founded in 2012 and given by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association, recognizes the contributions of military recreation providers and the work they do among service members, their families, other patrons and local communities.

The Gold Medal Awards program honors communities throughout the U.S. that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition.

Three other installations were nominated alongside Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point for the gold medal this year:

-- Fort Carson, Colorado;

-- Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California; and

-- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine