Accreditation & Awards Page content
Accreditation & Awards
National Gold Medal Award for Excellence
M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County is the only six-time National Gold Medal Award winner for excellence in parks and recreation management in the nation, having earned this prestigious award in 1973, 1977, 1983, 1984, 2003, and 2015.
M-NCPPC has been selected as a finalist in the 2026 National Gold Medal Award. The agency was also named a finalist in 2023 and 2025.
Presented by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management honors public park and recreation agencies and state park systems throughout the United States and armed forces recreation programs worldwide that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management, and innovative approaches to delivering superb park and recreation services with fiscally sound business practices. Eligible agencies must be accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), meeting more than 154 standards.
In addition, the Department of Parks and Recreation and its staff have won numerous other prestigious awards and recognitions:
National Awards
- Aquatics International Magazine’s Best Overall Commitment to Aquatics Award
- Association of American Museums Award for College Park Aviation Museum publication
- Award of Merit from the Society for Historical Archaeology for the study, preservation and interpretation of historic resources
- City Parks Alliance Frontline Park Award for Potomac River Waterfront Park
- Hermes Gold Award for the Live more, play more integrated marketing campaign
- Major League Baseball Play Healthy Award
- MarCom Gold Award for the “Live more, play more” marketing and branding campaign
- National Association of County Information Officers Excellent, Superior, Best of Category, Best in Class Awards for special projects, brochures, photography and audiovisual production
- National Recreation and Park Association Excellence in Inclusion Award
- National Recreation and Parks Association Excellence in Aquatics Awards
- National Recreation and Parks Association Professional Award
Regional Awards
- Associated Builders and Contractors Merit Awards for Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center
- Governor’s Crime Prevention Awards
- Maryland Family Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards, Best Museum for Families and Best Program for Pre-schoolers, College Park Aviation Museum
- Maryland Preservation Award for Project Excellence for the restoration of Ridgeley Rosenwald School
- Maryland Recycles Coalition Outstanding Government Leadership Award
- Maryland State Arts Council Arts Program Award
- Maryland State Department of Education Accreditation for Child Care Center Programs
- Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee Green PLANT Award
- Metropolitan Council of Governments Patrol Officer Awards
- Washington Council of Governments Outstanding Efforts in Energy Resource Management Award
- Washingtonian Magazine’s Best Reception Sites List, Newton White Mansion
Local Awards
- Melwood Training Center Community Employer of the Year Award
- Prince George’s County Beautification Committee Beautification Award
- Prince George’s County Board of Education Mentor Program Award
- Washingtonian Magazine Top 100 Sites for Weddings and Receptions (Newton White Mansion)
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission has earned national accreditation for its innovative parks and recreation programs and strong management from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). Accreditation was earned in 2004, 2009, 2014, 2020, and 2025. M-NCPPC is one of a select few accredited park and recreation agencies in the U.S.
Accreditation Process
Accreditation includes an application process, a detailed self-assessment report, and an agency visit by a team of experienced park and recreation professionals. Finally, a review is conducted by CAPRA before accreditation is granted.
National accreditation is based on an agency’s compliance with 154 standards. To achieve initial accreditation, an agency must comply with all 36 Fundamental Standards and 106 (90%) of the 118 Non-Fundamental Standards, and 112 (95%) of the 118 Non-Fundamental Standards upon reaccreditation.
The Maryland-National Capital Park Police is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). Participation in the accreditation process is a sign of the Chief’s dedication to the professional delivery of law enforcement services expected by the citizens of Prince George’s County. The accreditation process allows a law enforcement agency the opportunity to show that it conforms to established standards of professional excellence.
Prince George’s County Park Police received international accreditation from CALEA in 2002 and was reaccredited in 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, and 2021 (its seventh CALEA accreditation). The Park Police Division attained 2021 accreditation achievement after a four-year review of its operations, equipment, policies, practices, and procedures.
