Yesterday, we were very proud to announce that Portland Parks & Recreation has won the 2011 National Gold Medal Award, recognizing excellence in park system management and stewardship.

We hope you saw The Oregonian's editorial, "Counting the city's wealth in parks," this morning.

"On Tuesday, Portland Parks & Recreation learned that it has won the National Gold Medal Award, akin to an Oscar or an Emmy (although presumably with slightly less emphasis on gowns and stilettos.) Bestowed by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, the National Gold Medal Award is the highest honor a park system can attain."

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