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National Gold Medal Awards and a panel on the seven dimensions of well-being get things rolling

Kicking off Wednesday, October 9, at 8:30 a.m. EDT, will be the presentation of the 2024 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. This premier award program is directed by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) and is presented in partnership with NRPA and sponsored by Musco Lighting, LLC.

Founded in 1965, the National Gold Medal Award Program honors communities in the United States and armed forces installations worldwide that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, fiscal management, citizen engagement, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency partnershps.

The presentation of the National Gold Medal Awards is an energizing and inspiring event and one you won’t want to miss. Finalists in six categories will find out live if they have won the coveted Gold Medal Grand Plaque Award. See this year’s finalists here.

We Are Essential: How Parks and Recreation Supports the Seven Dimensions of Well-Being

Immediately following the presentation of the National Gold Medal Awards, an all-star panel of some of the top names in parks and recreation, environmental justice, urban studies and community development will discuss the essential role parks and recreation has in supporting thriving communities through the seven dimensions of well-being.

Contrary to historical definitions and perceptions, health and well-being encompass more than simply being free of disease. Well-being is grounded in equitable access to resources, spaces and social connections, as well as the dynamic pursuit of activities and opportunities that lead to a state of true health.

Many existing park and recreation programs and initiatives support seven interdependent and interconnected dimensions of well-being — cultural, economic, emotional, environmental, intellectual, physical and social. Through intentional community building and policy development, environmental and behavior change strategies, park and recreation professionals can build on what already exists to transform centers and agencies into Community Wellness Hubs that promote the seven dimensions of well-being.

Those who will participate in the panel include:

• Manal Jane Aboelata, MPH, managing director, California Endowment (moderator)
• Norma E. García-González, director, Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation
• Akiima Price, founder, Friends of Anacostia Park, Akiima Price Consulting
• Vivek Shandas, professor of geography, Portland State University; founder of CAPA Strategies

Manal Jane Aboelata, MPH, is an epidemiologist by training who writes and speaks on health equity and the built environment, and is the person responsible for advancing inclusive community development strategies and supporting community-centered grantmaking at the California Endowment. She will lead our panelists through a series of short presentations followed by a facilitated question-and-answer session.

Attendees will leave this inspirational session with an understanding of how parks and recreation is linked inextricably to the seven dimensions of well-being and how they can begin to implement these principles in their own communities.

Plan your conference trip and learn more about this session here.