Itasca celebrates second park district gold medal

It's considered the Oscar for park districts, and on Saturday the Itasca Park District celebrated it in style.

The district hosted a party at its recreation and fitness center to celebrate its Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Park Association.

"It's a great feeling for everyone because it's national recognition," said Beth Rodriguez, the park district's public relations supervisor. "This event is a way to celebrate the honor and say thanks to our residents."

The Gold Medal Award program recognizes what the NRPA considers to be the best park districts in various population categories around the country.

Judges consider a variety of factors, including how well districts are realizing long-range plans and what their financial records are like.

Park districts interested in receiving the award go through a rigorous application process that includes a comprehensive report and, for those districts named finalists, a 12-minute informational video.

Itasca won the Gold Medal once before, in 2003. This is the first year the park district was eligible to win it again.

"Everyone's delighted," Rodriguez said during Saturday's celebration, which featured a free-throw contest for children and an air booth where their parents tried to grab prizes like pool passes. "There are a lot of good park districts around here, so this feels very special."