FLORIDA STATE PARKS TO CELEBRATE THIRD GOLD MEDAL AWARD

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Oct. 11, 2013

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

FLORIDA STATE PARKS TO CELEBRATE THIRD GOLD MEDAL AWARD

~Florida celebrates its award-winning state parks system in Clermont~

TALLAHASSEE The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will honor the Florida Park Service becoming the only system in the nation to win three Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park Recreation Management Monday at Lake Louisa State Park.

DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. will join Florida Parks Director Donald Forgione in celebrating Florida Park System's third Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Park Association, in partnership with the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. The award for Excellence in Park Recreation Management is presented to communities that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management and administrating a complex system of state parks.

This achievement makes Florida the only system in the nation to win a third Gold Medal award. In fact, no other system has ever won two Gold Medal awards and systems are not allowed to apply for the award within five years of receiving a Gold Medal. Considerations for this award were based on the agency’s ability to address needs of those it serves through collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials.

For more information on the award, please see Thursday's press release.

The event will take place:

11:30 a.m.
Monday, Oct. 14
Lake Louisa State Park
7305 U.S. Highway 27
Clermont