Awards

The Parks Department has been honored with numerous awards, including the 2009 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.

2013 | 2012 | 2011 |2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

2013 Awards

• 2013 Brewer's Community Foundation Public Space MANDI Award

2012 Awards

• Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation "Bright Ideas in Government" - Summer Youth Employment Program
• Best of Milwaukee 2012: Best Farmers Market – South Shore Farmers Market
• Best of Milwaukee 2012: Best Urban Bike Trail – Oak Leaf Trail
• Best of Milwaukee 2012: Best Place for Skating – Red Arrow Park's "Slice of Ice"
• Best of Milwaukee 2012: Best Public Park – Lake Park
  
• Virginia M. Kline Award for Excellence in Community-Based Restoration - Natural Areas Program 
• Rain Bird $10,000 Intelligent Use of Water Award - Boerner Botanical Gardens
• PGA Horton Smith Award - Bob Neumann
• USPS "Women Putting their Stamp on Metro Milwaukee" - Education Award - Paula Zamiatowski

2011 Awards

• WPRA Outstanding Aquatic Facility Award – Tosa Pool at Hoyt Park
• Public Policy Forum Leader of the Future Award – Guy Smith
• University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin-Extension Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Community Engagement – Brian Russart
• Wisconsin Clean Marina Certification - McKinley Marina
• The Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species – "Invader Crusader" Award for outstanding achievement and commitment in the ongoing efforts against invasive species in Wisconsin
• Mayor's Design Award – Alice's Garden in Johnsons Park
• Mayor's Design Award – Milwaukee Community Sailing Center in McKinley Park
• Mayor's Design Award – Bradford Beach Improvements 

2010 Awards

• NRPA Robert W. Crawford Young Professional Award – Guy Smith
• Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin - “Feddy” Award for Best Enhancement to a Trail System (Mountain Bike)
• MANDI Award – State Farm Insurance Building Blocks Award – David F. Schulz Aquatic Center
• Mayor’s Design Award – Mitchell Park Domes Lighting Project
• Mayor’s Design Award – Historic Preservation of the North Lion Bridge in Lake Park
• Public Policy Forum Honorable Mention – Innovative Approach to the Economic Downturn – Stay Local, Play Local 

2009 Awards

• AAPRA/NRPA Gold Medal Grand Plaque Award Winner – Class I
• AAPRA/NRPA Excellence in Park & Recreation Management Gold Medal Finalist
• NRPA KUDOS Marketing, Communications, Media Excellence Award
• The Daily Reporter & Wisconsin Builder 2009 Top Projects – North Lion Bridge
• National Association of Counties Achievement Award – Park Ranger Initiative
• WPRA Outstanding Aquatic Facility – David F. Schulz Aquatic Center
• WPRA Park Facility Design Award of Excellence – Domes Lobby and Light Show
• WPRA IMPACT Contributor of the Year – Laura Schloesser
• WPRA Partnership Award – Johnson Controls, Milwaukee Conservation Corps
• Public Policy Forum – Public/Private Cooperation Award – Bradford Beach
• Clean Beaches Council Blue Wave Certification – Bradford Beach
• National Recreation Trail Designation – Kohl Park
• American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin Engineering Excellence Best of State Award – Milwaukee County for Bradford Beach Storm Water Controls
• American Public Works Association for Public Works Project of the Year – Bradford Beach Stormwater Treatment Project
• Wisconsin Association of Environmental Education “Non-Formal Educator of the Year Award” – Wehr Nature Center Naturalist Bev Bryant
• Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful Ideal Award – Wehr Nature Center
• Milwaukee County Historical Landmark Designation – Sheridan Park
• State of Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species Invader Crusader Award – Brian Russart, Ramsey Radakovich, and Mark Verhagen
• Wisconsin Wetlands Association Wisconsin Wetland Gems Recognition – Warnimont Fens and Root River Riverine Forest
• Milwaukee County D.R.E.A.M Diversity Award

2008 Awards

• WPRA Silver Star Award – Community Building Through Tennis
• WPRA Silver Star Award – Summer Youth Employment Partnership
• WPRA Facility Design Award of Excellence – Dineen Park Splash Pad
• WPRA Outstanding Aquatic Facility Award – Bradford Beach
• Best of Milwaukee Award – Oak Leaf Trail
• Best of Milwaukee Award – Lake Park Bistro
• Mayor’s Urban Design Award – North Point Lighthouse
• Milwaukee Magazine Award – Lake Park
• Landmark Designation – South Shore Park Pavilion
• National Superintendent of the Year Finalist – Brian Zimmerman
• Milwaukee Business Journal #12 of Top Milwaukee-area Special Attractions – Mitchell Park Domes
• First Place Orchid Display and Best in Class Awards – Illinois Orchid Society
• First Place Orchid Display and Best in Class Awards – Madison WI Orchid Quest Show
• National Association for Interpretation, Outstanding New Interpreter Award – Paula Zamiatowski – Wehr Nature Center
• CYD Award for Excellence in Community Service, Love of Youth and Practicing “Love in Action”

2007 Awards

• VISIT Milwaukee’s Lamplighter Award
• WPRA Young Professional of the Year Award – Guy Smith
• WPRA Facility Design Award of Excellence – Wehr Nature Center Boardwalk
• WPRA Area Use Award of Excellence – East Bank Trail
• WPRA Silver Star Award – Youth Programs, Age 0-4, "Earth Roots," Wehr Nature Center
• WPRA Silver Star Award – Youth Programs, Age 5-12, Urban Ecology Center, Washington Park
• Best of Milwaukee Award – Runway Dog Exercise Area
• Best of Milwaukee Award – Oak Leaf Trail
• National Recreation Trail Designation – East Bank Trail

2006 Awards

• WPRA Facility Design Award of Excellence – Brady Street Bridge
• WPRA Silver Star Award – Summer’s Best Concert Series
• WPRA Outstanding Aquatic Program Award – Doggie Dip
• Wisconsin Association of Environmental Education “Non-Formal Educator of the Year Award” – Wehr Nature Center Naturalist Karen Kerans
• National Recreation Trail Designation – Jacobus Park
• National Recreation Trail Designation – Urban Water Trail
• Mayor’s Urban Design Award – Lincoln Creek Parkway Restoration Project
• Mayor’s Urban Design Award – Little Menomonee River Parkway Restoration Project
• National Recreation Trail Designation – Urban Water Trail
• National Recreation Trail Designation – Jacobus Park Nature Trail

2005 Awards

• National Association of Interpreters, Master Interpretive Manager Award – Wehr Nature Center Director, Deb McRae
• National Recreation Trail Designation – Seven Bridges

2004 Awards

• WPRA Facility Design Award – Gordon Park Revitalization
• WPRA Facility Design Award – McKinley Marina Restrooms and Overlook
• Feinstone National Environmental Award for Education Excellence at Wehr Nature Center

2003 Awards

• AHS Display Garden – Boerner Botanical Gardens
• IABC Bronze Quill Award of Merit for Professional Achievement in Communications – Marie Kerznar