The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (PROS) has been recognized with 10 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards, including the prestigious Best in Category honor in Parks and Recreation.

PROS received the distinguished Best in Category award for the planning, design and construction of the multi-year resiliency and restoration project at the 570-acre coastal Chapman Field Park. The award recognizes the department’s innovative approach to restoring environmentally impacted areas, building and enhancing park infrastructure to better withstand future environmental challenges.

The Best in Category honor was presented during the 2026 NACo Annual Conference & Exposition in New Orleans, LA.

“We’re incredibly proud of this achievement, which recognizes the outstanding work and dedication of our team,” said Christina White, Director of PROS. “These awards reflect the breadth and diversity of our department, highlighting innovative programs and initiatives across multiple divisions that enhance quality of life and help make Miami-Dade County a special place. Recognition like this keeps us committed to excellence in every aspect of our operation while continuing to lead and shape the parks and recreation profession nationwide.”

In addition to the Best in Category distinction, PROS received NACo Achievement Awards for the following programs and initiatives:
AT Program – Deering Estate
U23 Patron Card Program – Golf Miami-Dade Division
Boating Engagement Initiative – Marinas Division
Citizen Science Debris Data Survey and EcoBucket Challenge – Volunteers in Parks Program
Junior Park Ranger Program – Park Rangers Division
Mountain Bike Trail Volunteer Program – Regional Parks Division
Labor and Equipment Digital Time and Charges System – Sports Turf Management and Landscape Services Division
Street Lighting District Mapping Application – Special Assessment Districts Division
Special Assessment Districts Maintenance System – Special Assessment Districts Division

To learn more about the individual award-winning programs, visit naco.org/page/achievement-awards-database.

Spanning more than a decade, PROS has earned numerous NACo Achievement Awards recognizing innovative programs and public service initiatives, including youth sports championship series (2015), Fit2Lead (2020, 2025), Nature-Based Sustainable Playgrounds (2020), the Conservation Action Center (2021), and many others. The NACo Achievement Awards recognize innovative county government programs that improve services for residents, strengthen communities and serve as models for counties across the nation while promoting the sharing of best practices in local government.

To explore the more than 300 parks, unique recreational destinations, programs, and services offered by PROS, visit www.miamidade.gov/parks.

ABOUT US:

For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.

This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.

Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com.