Allen Parks Department Named National Excellence Award Finalist

The City of Allen Parks and Recreation Department advanced to the final five for the 2026 Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation Management, a national honor recognizing top park agencies.

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association selected Allen for the award, established in 1965. The recognition targets communities demonstrating exceptional service, innovative programming, and commitment to community well-being.

Allen's department manages more than 1,200 acres of parkland and 80 miles of hike-and-bike trails across facilities including Celebration Park, Bethany Lakes Park, and Spirit Park. The system operates four recreation centers: Don Rodenbaugh Aquatics Center, Joe Farmer Recreation Center, Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center, and Allen Senior Recreation Center.

"This honor reflects the dedication of our team, the support of our elected officials, and the energy of our community," Parks and Recreation Director Kate Meacham said.

The department runs youth sports, aquatics, arts, fitness, adaptive recreation, and lifelong learning programs. Community events include Allen USA Celebration, Holly Jolly Celebration, and Seasonal Sounds Concert Series.

Residents volunteered thousands of hours through local organizations. The department also implemented habitat restoration, water conservation, and sustainable park design initiatives.

The Gold Medal Grand Plaque winner will be announced Sept. 30, 2026.