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NRPA Awards NAS Pensacola 2018 Gold Medal

he American Academy for Park and Recreation Admin- and their families. We have been working on this award for
Tistration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National more than 10 years, and we are the third installation to win it.”
Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), has awarded NAS Shanaghan added that NAS Pensacola’s MWR annually
Pensacola, Fla., the 2018 National Gold Medal Grand Plaque provides services to more than three million individuals at a
for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in the variety of locations, including three main locations at NAS
Armed Forces Recreation category. Pensacola, NAS Pensacola Corry Station and Blue Angel Rec-
“This award recognizes and honors communities throughout reation Park, managing a golf course, five fitness facilities,
the United States that demonstrate excellence in long-range two marinas and several beaches, with Ski Beach onboard
planning, resource management and innovative approaches NAS Pensacola just finished with renovations.
to delivering superb park and recreation services with fiscally “This award is truly bigger than just MWR,” Shanaghan
sound business practices,” said Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar, com- said. “This award touches other agencies, such as public works,
mander, Navy Region Southeast. “I’m proud to have one of and their support of our facilities. The tenant commands we
the most recognizable facilities in CNRSE providing nation- reach out to for support through volunteers for our large free
ally recognized recreational opportunities to the thousands of events all contribute to the MWR mission. We are proud to
service members and their families who live and visit NAS support our Navy family members — it’s a big team.”
Pensacola.” NAS Pensacola’s receipt of the award — an honor which
NAS Pensacola was one of four finalists for the award, started in 1965 and for which winners were most recently an-
edging out MCAS Iwakuni, Japan; Portsmouth NSY, Kittery, nounced on Sept. 25, 2018, during the NRPA annual conference
Maine; and NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. in Indianapolis, Ind. — capped off a thorough review of the
Prior winners of the National Gold Medal Award for Ex- command’s application by a panel of five park and recreation
cellence in Park and Recreation Management in the Armed professionals, each recognized for their experience in parks
Forces Recreation category include NS Great Lakes, Ill., and and recreation on both local and national levels.
NSB Kings Bay, Ga.
OTHER WINNERS
RECOGNITION Other winners of the 2018 Gold Medal Grand Plaque
“This is truly a recognition of the NAS Pensacola installa- award include Palm Beach County, Lake Worth, Fla., Parks
tion team,” said Kerry Shanaghan, the NAS Pensacola Morale, and Recreation; City of Arlington, Texas, Parks and Recre-
Welfare and Recreation (MWR) director. “MWR [Pensacola] ation; Bloomington, Ind., Parks and Recreation Department;
supports the quality of life enjoyed by our service members, Town of Castle Rock, Colo., Parks and Recreation; and the
retirees, government employees and their families. The folks Homewood-Flossmoor, Ill., Park District.
here at MWR and the partners we work with come to work As Reported By Ens. Scott Reagh, USN, NAS Pensacola, Fla.,
every day to support this quality of life for our service members Public Affairs

NAS Pensacola, Fla., was awarded the 2018 National Recreation
and Park Association Gold Medal in the Armed Forces Recre-
ation category. Numerous recreation facilities and programs
on the base include the Portside Entertainment Compex;
sailing; hiking; paintball; and just relaxing and having fun.
PHOTOS: NAS PENSACOLA, FLA., MWR WEBSITE

4 MILITARY CLUB & HOSPITALITY | OCTOBER 2018