MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Marine Corps Community Services at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., was recently recognized as having the best park and recreational management across the Department of Defense by two of the top Park and Recreation organizations in the nation.
MCCS of MCAS Cherry Point was awarded the 2017 National Gold Medal Grand Plaque Award for Excellence, Sept. 27, 2017. The award, founded in 2012, by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association, recognizes the contributions of military recreation providers and the work they do for service members, their families, other patrons and local communities.
“By receiving this prestigious award, MCAS Cherry Point has demonstrated a commitment to excellence,” said Chris Nunes, president of the AAPRA.
The NRPA is a national not-for-profit organization committed to the advancement of public parks, recreation and conservation.
“We have a lot of unique services we provide,” said Beth McKenzie, the marketing director for Cherry Point’s MCCS. “We work well across the all directorates in our mission of supporting the Marines and their families.”
This is the first time Cherry Point’s MCCS has received the coveted award for its morale, welfare and recreation program during the general session of the annual conference of the NRPA.
“It is an honor to be the 2017 NRPA Armed Forces Gold Medal winner,” said Kimberly Johnston of Semper Fit. “The hard work and dedication the entire team puts in daily is paramount in supporting the mission of the installation, to include offering wonderful recreational facilities and ensuring conservation efforts are maintained – just to name a few; [MCCS], Cherry Point is thrilled to be recognized at the NRPA conference.”
The Gold Medal Awards program honors communities throughout the U.S. that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition.
This year, Cherry Point’s MCCS beat out Fort Carson, Colorado; Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California; and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine.