Welcome to the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration 501(c)(3) nonprofit is a group of distinguished practitioners and educators who are leaders in the field of parks and recreation. The Academy is currently limited to 137 active Fellows (our members), with a pending Bylaws vote that may increase the maximum number of active Fellows.

The Academy’s mission is to advance research, foster professional development, and the use of best practices in the parks and recreation industry. The Academy is committed to a culture of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the profession of parks and recreation by celebrating diversity without division through the provision of tools and strategies for the inclusion of all.

The Academy recognizes excellence in Parks and Recreation management through various awards, most notably the prestigious National Gold Medal Award Program. The Cornelius Amory Pugsley Medal honors outstanding contributions in parks and conservation and the Best Paper Award provides master’s and doctoral students an opportunity to share their research. The Academy also publishes the scholarly publication, The Journal for Park and Recreation Administration, bridging the gap between research and practice. JPRA is published by Sagamore-Venture Publishing. 

The Academy values professional development of young park and recreation leaders. The Mentorship Program partners less experienced park and recreation professionals with established professionals in leadership positions throughout the United States. This Mentor/Mentee relationship provides an opportunity for these younger and less experienced professionals to gain insight and advice on professional career advancement. Each April through November approximately 100 mentor/mentee pairs participate. 

The Extern Program enables outstanding professionals 35 years of age and younger in the parks, recreation, and conservation professionals to interact with, and learn from, AAPRA members and other individuals who attend the NRPA Annual Conference. Externs are paired with Academy members who serve as mentors. Externs attend selected NRPA Conference meetings, socials, and educational sessions with their mentors. Mentors introduce Externs to their contacts and widen the young professional's networks. 

The Career Development Committee recently partnered with the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society and NRPA to create a national campaign entitled, A Choice Career: Parks and Recreation, including a video and toolkit to introduce high school and college students to parks and recreation as a viable career choice.

Formerly the American Institute of Park Executives Academy Foundation and Trust, the American Parks & Recreation Foundation was born out of one simple idea – to advance the public parks and recreation services arena. Driven by a vision to expand the park and recreation industry and profession, the foundation earmarks resources toward the following: a) Research - To conduct research, publish scholarly papers and sponsor seminars related to the advancement of park and recreation administration. b) Knowledge - To advance knowledge related to the administration of parks and recreation. c) Education - To encourage educational resources to enhance the practice of park and recreation administration, and to promote broader public understanding of the importance of parks and recreation to the public good.

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