Maryland Park System Named Finalist For Prestigious National Gold Medal Award

RIVERDALE, Md. — The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) has been selected as a finalist for the 2026 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, one of the highest honors in the field.

The award, presented by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association, recognizes agencies across the country for outstanding service, long-range planning and community impact.

M-NCPPC, which oversees park systems and recreation programs in both Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, is no stranger to the recognition. The agency has received the Gold Medal six times — in 1973, 1977, 1983, 1984, 2003 and 2015 — and was also named a finalist in 2023 and 2025.

The commission is competing in the Class I category, which includes park systems serving populations of more than 400,000 residents. Other finalists in the category include agencies from Baltimore City.

Officials say the recognition reflects the scale and consistency of services provided across the region, from expansive parkland and recreational programming to environmental stewardship and community engagement.

“We’re the destination for the nation, and being named a finalist is a testament of our world-class parks and recreation,” said Darryl Barnes chairman of M-NCPPC, Prince George’s County Planning Board, in a press release. “We take pride in delivering exceptional experiences for our residents and visitors and set the standard for parks and recreation nationwide.”  

Across Prince George’s County, M-NCPPC operates through the Department of Parks and Recreation, offering a wide range of programs for residents of all ages, along with access to parks, trails, athletic facilities and cultural spaces. In Montgomery County, similar services are delivered through Montgomery Parks, contributing to a shared regional system that serves more than 2 million residents.

The Gold Medal Awards program, established in 1965, evaluates agencies based on several factors, including program development, resource management, volunteerism and overall impact on quality of life.

The winner of the 2026 National Gold Medal will be announced in September during the National Recreation and Park Association’s annual conference in Philadelphia.

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