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Bismarck Parks and Recreation District and its staff have been recognized for many achievements through the years.
Bismarck Parks and Recreation District is accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies and the National Recreation and Park Association.
CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for park and recreation agencies and is a measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management, and service to the community. This mark of distinction indicates that an agency has met rigorous standards related to the management and administration of lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety, and services.
As part of the reaccreditation process, BPRD had to demonstrate compliance with recognized standards and document all policies and procedures. Often the process helps identify efficiencies and heighten areas of accountability, all of which translate into higher quality service and operation to benefit the community. The process for reaccreditation every five years involves a formal application, self-assessments, and visits with a team of trained volunteers that results in a written report.
The National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in the Field of Park and Recreation Management is the highest and most prestigious honor in the field of parks and recreation. The program is governed and administered by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association.
Founded in 1965, the National Gold Medal Award program honors communities in the United States that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development, and agency recognition.
Applications are separated into seven classes, with five classes based on population, one class for armed forces recreation, and one class for state park systems in odd numbered years. Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of citizens, staff, and elected officials.
Awards of Appreciation (from BPRD partners)
Bismarck Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau (for securing events and meetings in Bismarck/Mandan)
Golfweek Magazine Best Courses You Can Play In ND Award: Riverwood Golf Course: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014, and 2015
MarCom Platinum Award: Agency MABU – BPRD 2007 Annual Report
Northern Lights Council, Boy Scouts of America:Â Outstanding Community Partner Award, 2015
Governor Burgum Main Street Award
North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations
North Dakota Babe Ruth Baseball Hall of Fame
North Dakota Council of Engineering Companies
North Dakota Forest Service
North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department
North Dakota Ready-Mix and Concrete Products Association
North Dakota Safety Council
Special Olympics North Dakota
Award for Excellence in Stewardship
Distinguished Professional Award: Honors professional members of NDRPA and NRPA with more than 10 years of experience. BPRD professionals recognized:
Golden Egg Award: Recognizes outstanding and innovative park projects. BPRD projects honored:
Innovative Programming Award: Recognizes and honors an NDRPA member agency or organization that demonstrates leadership with advanced groundbreaking ideas in programming. BPRD programs honored:
Outstanding Young Professional Award: Honors professional members of NDRPA and NRPA who have less than 10 years of experience and are age 35 or younger. BPRD professionals recognized:
Partnership Award: Honors organizations and individuals for outstanding contributions to the park, recreation, and conservation movement. BPRD partners recognized:
NDRPA Hall of Fame
All American City: 1997
American Softball Association James Ferrell Award of Excellence (for conducting one of the highest ASA tournaments, BPRD has received this award for each of the national tournaments hosted in Bismarck): 1993, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2021, and 2023
JC Penney Golden Rule Award: Exchange Club Sleepy Hollow Arts Park, 1991
Playful City USA from KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play: 2010-2017
United States Tennis Association