Parks & Recreation Employee Graduates from Abrahams Jones Academy for Leadership Excellence

September 15, 2022


The City of Cape Coral's Department of Parks & Recreation is proud to announce that Special Populations Supervisor Milena Park has graduated from the Florida Recreation and Park Association's (FRPA) elite Abrahams Jones Academy for Leadership Excellence. Park was part of a group of students representing 20 different park and recreation agencies from cities and counties across the state. 

The Abrahams Jones Academy for Leadership Excellence began in 2008 and is a yearlong experience for those professionals interested in advancement in the field of parks and recreation. Starting with initial, all-in training and continuing throughout the year with suggested readings, group interaction through conference calls and social media, and one-on-one mentorship from a coach, participants begin to transfer theory into practice in preparation for assuming executive-level leadership positions in the parks and recreation field.

According to FRPA, the academy allows participants to explore and develop their leadership capacity, create personal leadership advancement plans, and encourage personal introspection, group activity, and individual assessment. Many participants have grown in their roles as park and recreation professionals, with 52% of students still serving in the field having some level of advancement since graduation, 42 students are in executive level leadership positions, and five now serve as city or county administrators.