In November 2011, Portland Parks & Recreation received the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) and the National Recreation & Park Association (NRPA), the nation’s leading public park and recreation organizations.

The Gold Medal Award program honors U.S. communities that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development, and agency recognition. Portland won the "Class I" division, which includes all U.S. park and recreation departments serving populations of 250,000 or more.

PP&R's Nomination Video