San Antonio's Parks Department is making waves as it prepares for a national gold medal award, showcasing its commitment to excellence in public recreation. During the recent City Council Budget Work Session, officials highlighted the department's impressive achievement of becoming a nationally accredited entity in 2022, making it the second largest accredited park system in the nation.

Lynn Kenton, the park administrator, leads the charge toward reaccreditation in 2027, emphasizing the importance of compliance with 154 rigorous standards. "It took everybody to achieve that mark," Kenton stated, underscoring the collaborative effort behind this success.

The focus on safety and resources for staff was also a key point of discussion. Leaders stressed that ensuring the well-being of the team is crucial for maintaining high standards in service delivery. "If we're not taking care of our team, then they're not going to be able to meet expectations," they noted.

Adding to the accolades, the department recently received a state gold medal award from the Texas Recreation and Park Society, recognizing it as the best in Texas. With the national gold medal award results expected next week, the anticipation is high for what this recognition could mean for San Antonio's parks and recreation landscape.