Rockville Recreation and Parks Named 2026 National Gold Medal Finalist
July 1, 2026
Rockville’s Department of Recreation and Parks has been named a finalist for the 2026 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, placing Rockville among park and recreation agencies recognized nationally for excellence in service, leadership and community impact.
The recognition reflects the department’s mission to nurture community connections through quality parks, programs, facilities, events and services that support residents of all ages, interests and abilities.
The National Gold Medal Award program is managed and governed by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association. Established in 1965, the program honors agencies that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program innovation, professional development and organizational excellence.
Rockville competes in Class IV, for agencies serving populations of 30,001-75,000. The other Class IV finalists are City of Kettering Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts in Kettering, Ohio; Glenview Park District in Glenview, Illinois; and Willamalane Park and Recreation District in Springfield, Oregon.
Rockville has a long history with the National Gold Medal Award program. The city was a Grand Plaque recipient in 1994 and has been named a finalist in 1974, 1975, 1993, 1994, 2025 and 2026.
“This recognition affirms Rockville’s commitment to nurturing community connections through exceptional parks, programs, facilities and services,” said Steve Mader, acting director of the Department of Recreation and Parks. “It reflects the daily work of our staff, the support of volunteers and partners, the trust of residents and the continued leadership of the Mayor and Council.”
Finalist agencies advance to compete for the Grand Plaque Award, with recipients to be announced at the National Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference in Philadelphia.
Visit aapra.org or nrpa.org for more information about the National Gold Medal Award program.