On July 13, during the NACo annual conference in Philadelphia, the Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department was nationally recognized for its outstanding communication efforts by the 2025 National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Awards of Excellence program.
The department received multiple Awards of Excellence across several categories, including the overall best of show, reflecting its dedication to serving and engaging the public through creative and considerate communication.
“These awards are a testament to our team’s commitment to making parks more welcoming, informative and responsive to the needs of our residents,” Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Director Jennifer Cirillo said. “We’re honored to be recognized for using innovative communication strategies to better connect people with the many services and experiences our parks offer.”
Leading the honors was the department’s Non-Verbal Communication Sheets, which were designed to support communication across language and ability levels in parks and facilities. This project received best of category for Printed Publications-Short One-Page/Trifold and the prestigious best of show recognition, awarded to the most outstanding entry across all categories nationwide.
Also in the Printed Publications division, the department’s 2023 Annual Report was awarded a superior rating, recognizing it as exceptional work among peers. The Destination Booklets, created to help residents and visitors explore Palm Beach County parks, received an excellence rating for exceeding industry standards.
In the Audiovisual division, the short-form video “This is My Office” earned a meritorious rating for showcasing the work of parks and recreation professionals and serving as a recruitment tool within a 60-second format. The “Beach Smart at PBC Parks” video series, which promotes safety and awareness at the beach, was recognized with an excellence rating.
Additionally, the department’s PBC Park Prescriptions initiative earned a meritorious rating in the Campaigns for Quality-of-Life category. This wellness-focused campaign is a collaborative effort that includes a short video, custom prescription pads and a community partnership with local agencies such as Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. Together, these elements support physician-patient conversations about active living and encourage residents to incorporate outdoor activity into their daily routines as part of a healthy lifestyle. The NACIO Awards of Excellence honor counties nationwide for excellence in public information and communications, recognizing creative work that educates, informs and engages communities.
