City of Lewisville, TX
09/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/17/2025 09:38
2025 National Gold Medal Award Winner
Lewisville Parks and Recreation Department has been named the 2025 National Gold Medal Award Winner for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, the most prestigious honor in the field, presented by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
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.
"This is an incredible honor for Lewisville," said Stacie Anaya, Director of Lewisville Parks and Recreation. "This award is a reflection of our team's relentless dedication to creating spaces and programs that foster community, health, and belonging. Most importantly, it is a testament to the incredible support we receive from our residents and leadership."
Lewisville was named a finalist in April 2025 in the Class III category, which includes cities with populations between 75,001 and 150,000. The department was selected as the Gold Medal winner from a highly competitive field of national peers following a rigorous application and judging process conducted by a panel of experienced park and recreation professionals.
The National Gold Medal Award has been recognizing outstanding achievements in parks and recreation since 1965. Agencies are evaluated based on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through comprehensive and creative approaches to service, management, and community impact.
Lewisville joins an elite group of past recipients that demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication to excellence in parks and recreation.
About Lewisville Parks and Recreation
The Lewisville Parks and Recreation Department aims to create a thriving community through nature and play, by providing recreational and educational opportunities for socialization and activity, developing, and maintaining parks, trails, and public spaces and preserving and restoring our natural resources. The Department believes that everyone in the community should have the opportunity to play, feel welcome and safe, and be aware of what's happening in the park system. The team has focused its efforts on maintaining a first-class park system, facilities, scenic trails and aims for Lewisville to be a healthy place to live, work and play. For more information, visit playlewisville.com.
About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates - the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA's flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org.
About the National Gold Medal Award:
Administered by AAPRA and NRPA and sponsored by Musco Lighting LLC, the Gold Medal program selects winners based on independent review by a panel of parks and recreation professionals. The award is a testament to strategic leadership and community-centered excellence. For more information about the National Gold Medal Award, visit nrpa.org/goldmedal.
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.
"This is an incredible honor for Lewisville," said Stacie Anaya, Director of Lewisville Parks and Recreation. "This award is a reflection of our team's relentless dedication to creating spaces and programs that foster community, health, and belonging. Most importantly, it is a testament to the incredible support we receive from our residents and leadership."
Lewisville was named a finalist in April 2025 in the Class III category, which includes cities with populations between 75,001 and 150,000. The department was selected as the Gold Medal winner from a highly competitive field of national peers following a rigorous application and judging process conducted by a panel of experienced park and recreation professionals.
The National Gold Medal Award has been recognizing outstanding achievements in parks and recreation since 1965. Agencies are evaluated based on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through comprehensive and creative approaches to service, management, and community impact.
Lewisville joins an elite group of past recipients that demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, and dedication to excellence in parks and recreation.
About Lewisville Parks and Recreation
The Lewisville Parks and Recreation Department aims to create a thriving community through nature and play, by providing recreational and educational opportunities for socialization and activity, developing, and maintaining parks, trails, and public spaces and preserving and restoring our natural resources. The Department believes that everyone in the community should have the opportunity to play, feel welcome and safe, and be aware of what's happening in the park system. The team has focused its efforts on maintaining a first-class park system, facilities, scenic trails and aims for Lewisville to be a healthy place to live, work and play. For more information, visit playlewisville.com.
About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates - the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA's flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org.
About the National Gold Medal Award:
Administered by AAPRA and NRPA and sponsored by Musco Lighting LLC, the Gold Medal program selects winners based on independent review by a panel of parks and recreation professionals. The award is a testament to strategic leadership and community-centered excellence. For more information about the National Gold Medal Award, visit nrpa.org/goldmedal.
City of Lewisville, TX published this content on September 17, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 17, 2025 at 15:38 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]