Rick Atkins, Round Rock parks and recreation director, has received national recognition for his work in parks and recreation and will be inducted into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration at the association's annual conference in September, according to an Aug. 26 news release. The national group includes 125 members, 20 of which are from Texas.

Members of the AAPRA must serve a minimum of 15 years in a high-ranking position at a parks and recreation agency, as an educator in parks and recreation administration, or as a political appointee who manages a parks and recreation department for an entity whose population is more than 500,000, per the release. In addition to the length of their tenure, members must display "outstanding ability," a strong interest in servicing public parks and advancing the field of parks and recreation, per the release.

“I’m honored to be selected to join this prestigious group of members and help promote and advance park and recreation initiatives on a national scale,” Atkins said in the release. “To be selected to this prestigious organization reflects my team’s dedication to parks and recreation excellence in serving our residents right here in Round Rock, Texas.”