May 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 16

WE ARE PARKS AND RECREATION
Remembering James J. Truncer
By Chris Brummett
O
n February 19, the Monmouth
County (New Jersey)
Park System lost one
of its strongest advocates, James J.
Truncer. At 86 years old, Truncer
had been serving as the county's
parks director for the past 58 years.
With him at the helm, the Monmouth
County Park System grew
from three parks to 37, totaling
18,000 acres, six golf courses and
148 miles of trails.
The Monmouth County Commissioners
released
a statement
after Truncer's passing that states,
" Jim was a true visionary and respected
leader. We will always remember
Jim's tireless dedication to
the park system and the people of
Monmouth County as his legacy. "
Truncer also was the co-winner
of NRPA's 2002 National Distinguished
Professional
award and
was involved in the establishment
of the Commission for Accreditation
of Park and Recreation Agencies
(CAPRA), which remains a
key part of NRPA's mission to this
day. It was noted in the announcement
of Truncer's 2002 National
Distinguished Professional award
win that, " Monmouth County has
been recognized as one of the nation's
best places to live, and the
NRPA Honored With Two
2023 TRENDY Awards
n March, Parks & Recreation magazine and NRPA's marketing
and communications department were recognized during
the 2023 TRENDY Awards: Salute to Association Excellence
luncheon reception in Washington, D.C., presented by Association
Trends. This highly regarded program honors the best marketing
and communications pieces in the association and nonprofit community.
The magazine's July 2022 issue, which highlights Park and Recreation
Month, earned the Bronze award. This recent nod marks the sixth-consecutive
year the publication has won a TRENDY Award for " Monthly Trade
Association Magazine. "
their communities across the counI
Most
notably, NRPA's marketing
and communications staff - with the
help of communications firm Worthy
Journey Communications - earned
the coveted Gold award for NRPA's
2022 Annual Report, which highlights
the important work that park and
recreation professionals are doing for
16 Parks & Recreation | MAY 2 0 2 3
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
James J. Truncer
park system, under Truncer's leadership,
is a contributing factor to
the distinction. "
This well-respected thought leader
followed in his father's footsteps in the
field of parks and recreation, according
to an oral history interview that he
gave in 2000. He was married to his
wife Ramona for 63 years before she
passed away in February 2021.
Truncer leaves behind a massive
legacy and many wonderful parks
and amenities for the people of
Monmouth County to enjoy.
Chris Brummett is Production
Coordinator for Parks & Recreation
magazine (cbrummett@nrpa.org).
try, as well as touts
the organization's
generous sponsors
and corporate partners
whose continued
funding makes
this critical work
possible.
" This
recognition
by Association
Trends is a testament to our teams'
level of commitment toward producing
quality
content
that not
only tells these engaging park and
recreation stories, but also brings
about greater awareness to the public
at large about NRPA's overall
mission - ensuring all communities
have equitable access to our
parks and open spaces, " says Vitisia
Paynich, executive editor of
Parks & Recreation magazine and
NRPA's director, print and online
content.
PHOTO COURTESTY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY
May 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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