The award was announced March 2 at the TRAPS annual conference, and New Braunfels received the Gold Medal Award for cities with a population between 50,000-100,000.
The Gold Medal Award honors parks and recreation departments that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management, and innovative approaches to delivering parks and recreation services with fiscally sound business practices, according to the city.
“Our staff strives for continual improvement and pushes boundaries for excellence,” said Stacey Dicke, New Braunfels parks and recreation director. “We are always looking for ways to continue the tradition of exceeding citizen expectations by providing programs, places, and people that make life better.”
The New Braunfels Parks and Recreation Department manages over 700 acres of parkland, including the Landa Park Golf Course, the 74,000-square-foot Das Rec, two historic cemeteries and the Comal River Tube Chute.
The department was previously awarded the Texas Gold Medal Award in 2010 and 2016. It also acquired National Recreation and Park Association accreditation through its Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies in 2020, according to the city.
More information on the New Braunfels Parks and Recreation Department can be found at www.newbraunfels.gov/parks.
