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Recognition of the Community Services Department as a 2026 National Gold Medal Award Finalist and Recipient of Two New Mexico Recreation and Park Association Awards
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The Community Services Department (CSD) is pleased to present recent national and statewide recognitions that highlight the County’s continued commitment to excellence in parks and recreation services. Each year, the National Gold Medal Award honors public park and recreation agencies and state park systems throughout the United States, as well as armed forces recreation programs worldwide, that demonstrate superior long-range planning, resource management, and innovation in delivering high-quality park and recreation services with fiscally responsible practices.
The program is administered by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and is widely regarded as the premier award in the parks and recreation profession.
For the second consecutive year, Los Alamos County was named one of four national finalists in the Public Class V category (populations under 30,000). This recognition, announced at the 2026 NRPA Annual Conference, reflects the County’s sustained progress and leadership in offering accessible facilities, innovative programming, and high-quality open spaces that enhance community wellbeing. Community Services Department staff will be recognized to Council during this meeting by the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Administrators’ Judges Liaison (Academy) for having received the 2026 Finalist Plaque.
At the state level, the Parks and Open Space Division received two awards through the 2026 New Mexico Recreation and Park Association (NMRPA) Annual Awards Program. These awards were presented at the NMRPA Annual Conference held in Hobbs this past month. The NMRPA Awards Program recognizes excellence in municipal parks management, recreational programming, facility design, and professional leadership across New Mexico.
The Division received the 2026 NMRPA Facility Design Award for the recently renovated 37th Street Playlot. This award honors the design of a recreation facility or structure and is evaluated on community benefit, functional design, innovation, aesthetics, environmental stewardship, and maintenance considerations. The 37th Street Playlot project was recognized for its strong community engagement, improved accessibility, durable materials, and creative design solutions that revitalized an important neighborhood recreation space.
The Division also received the 2026 NMRPA Parks/Grounds Maintenance Award for its innovative robotic mower program. This award acknowledges excellence in the maintenance of parks, athletic fields, medians, entryways, or trails. The robotic mower program demonstrated leadership in innovation, sustainability, operational efficiency, and improved service outcomes. The program allows staff to redirect time to higher-level maintenance needs, reduces environmental impacts, and provides consistent, high-quality turf management across multiple sites.
These achievements underscore the County’s position as a leader in parks and recreation at both the state and national levels. Staff remains committed to delivering exemplary service, innovation, and stewardship for the benefit of the Los Alamos community.
Attachments
A -Picture of Gold Medal Award 2026
B- Picture of NMRPA 2026 Awards