GAITHERSBURG, MD – Judges at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair awarded The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) a first-place blue ribbon for its booth in the outdoor commercial exhibits category.
Featured in the exhibit is a station on the Celebrate Rural Montgomery campaign to promote the 25th anniversary of the county’s protection of the agricultural reserve. In addition, kids of all ages enjoyed the popular golf putting game and a magnetic butterfly game to highlight the Wings of Fancy live butterfly show at Brookside Gardens. An electronic quiz on the county’s diversity and two computers with online registration for ParkPASS cards and M-NCPPC’s web site were also included.
Evaluation of exhibits was based on carrying out this year’s county fair theme, “Country Themes and Children’s Dreams,” cleanliness, neatness, attractive displays, readable signage, and friendly and courteous staff in the booth. Judges commented on the colorful landscaping that drew thousands of people into the booth.
M-NCPPC is the country’s only five-time winner of the National Gold Medal for Excellence in Parks and Recreation Management awarded by the National Recreation and Park Association. In the past year, M-NCPPC has also earned national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies.
M-NCPPC in Montgomery County offers 390 parks on 32,600 acres including more than 23,000 acres set aside for environmental preservation. In addition to extensive conservation areas, the park system includes nearly 200 miles of hiking/biking trails, four nature centers, three lakes, three campgrounds, picnic areas, Brookside Gardens and McCrillis Gardens, equestrian centers, playgrounds, golf courses, ice rinks, ball fields and many other recreational facilities.