Gold Medal

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Lewisville PARD standing with award at Gold Medal Gala 2025

Lewisville Parks & Recreation Department Named 2025 National Gold Medal Award Winner

The City of Lewisville Parks and Recreation Department has been named the 2025 National Gold Medal Award Winner for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. This national recognition places Lewisville among the top agencies in the country for its commitment to high-quality park services, innovation, long-term planning, and dedication to community well-being.

Presented by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the Gold Medal Award is the highest honor a parks and recreation agency can achieve. This prestigious award recognizes communities that show outstanding dedication to excellence in parks, recreation, and community service.

Read the full press release here.

What is the NRPA Gold Medal Award

What is the NRPA Gold Medal Award?

Since 1965, the National Gold Medal Award has honored cities and agencies that demonstrate:

● Visionary leadership and long-term planning

● Commitment to community inclusion and access

● Innovative programs and partnerships

● Stewardship of natural and financial resources Gold Medal finalists are selected through a rigorous review process, with only a handful of agencies nationwide achieving this level of recognition each year. It is considered the benchmark for excellence in the field of parks and recreation.

Learn more about the Gold Medal Award

Why Being a Gold Medal Winner Matters

Why Being a Gold Medal Award Winner Matters

Being named a Gold Medal winners affirms Lewisville’s commitment to creating a parks and recreation system where:

● Everyone Plays: From youth and adult sports to Play Lewisville On Wheels and community centers like Thrive, we create opportunities for everyone to be active, learn,
and connect.

● Everyone is Welcome and Safe: Our parks, programs, and events are intentionally designed to foster belonging and ensure that all residents feel included and protected.

● Everyone Knows: Through outreach, innovation, and accessibility, we make sure the community knows about the opportunities available to them, building pride and participation citywide.

Lewisville’s parks and recreation efforts are about more than green spaces; they are about building a thriving, healthy community where connections are made, traditions are celebrated, and memories are created.

Excellence That Reflects Our Community

Achieving this award showcases the collective effort of Lewisville’s leadership, staff, volunteers, and residents. It reflects years of strategic planning, community engagement, sustainable growth, and bold innovation. It demonstrates that in Lewisville:

We grow responsibly, expanding parks and amenities while protecting natural resources.
We invest in our people, providing inclusive programming for all ages and abilities.
We build with the future in mind, ensuring every generation has access to outstanding recreation and cultural experiences.

We are honored to stand among the best in the nation, and even prouder to serve the Lewisville community every day.