City of Henderson Named Finalist for 2026 National Gold Medal Award

Long-Term Investment in Henderson Parks and Recreation Contributes to National Recognition as Voters Consider Continuation of the Existing Funding Rate on June 9

HENDERSON, Nev. (June 1, 2026) - The City of Henderson has been named a finalist for the 2026 Gold Medal Award for excellence in park and recreation management by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA). The recognition comes as Henderson continues to expand and enhance its parks and recreation system.

The national honor recognizes park and recreation agencies that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management, innovative programming and fiscally sound operations. Henderson is seeking its third Gold Medal Award after previously earning the distinction in 2014 and 1999.

Parks and Recreation make it possible for residents and visitors to enjoy accessible, high-quality amenities and programs throughout the community.

In 2025, the City of Henderson:

• Opened four new parks
• Recorded 65,144 registrations across 7,683 recreation classes
• Welcomed 150,000 attendees to community events
• Served 232,512 meals through senior nutrition programs
• Enrolled 3,063 participants in youth enrichment programs
• Supported 6,673 youth and adult sports participants across 3,715 games

The City currently manages 77 parks, eight recreation centers, 105 athletic fields and more than 300 miles of trails.

Henderson was also recently recognized as the highest ranked Nevada park system and top 26park system in the nation by the Trust for Public Land's ParkScore® index, which compares park systems across the 100 most populated cities in the United States.

The June 9 Primary Election includes a ballot question related to funding for Henderson parks, trails and recreation facilities. The measure asks voters whether to continue the existing 12-cent property tax rate dedicated to parks and recreation funding, which Henderson voters originally approved in 1997. Funding from the tax supports the City's parks, trails, recreation centers and related services.

Parks and Recreation make it possible for the City of Henderson to advance its Healthy, Livable and Sustainable strategic priority by providing community spaces, recreational opportunities and programs that enhance quality of life for residents of all ages.

The award is presented in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).