Des Moines Parks and Recreation has been named a finalist for the esteemed 2022 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, highlighting the department's dedication to community service and environmental stewardship. This recognition is awarded by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association, and it honors communities demonstrating excellence through long-range planning and resource management. Competing in Class II, which consists of cities with populations ranging from 150,001 to 400,000, Des Moines joins other finalists from Henderson, NV; Plano, TX; and Wichita, KS. Benjamin R. Page, the Director of Parks and Recreation, stated that this is the fourth time since 2015 that Des Moines has been acknowledged as a finalist, reflecting the hard work of the team and the support of city officials.

The awards are determined by a panel of experienced park and recreation professionals who evaluate applications based on their ability to meet community needs. The winners of the Grand Plaque Award will be announced at the NRPA Annual Conference in Phoenix, AZ, scheduled for September 20-22, 2022. For more information, interested parties can visit the National Gold Medal Award Program website. This acknowledgment reinforces the importance of parks and recreation in enhancing community health and well-being.