Lewisville Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has earned two awards from the Texas Recreation and Park Society in recognition of excellence in programming and operations. 

2026 Lone Star Recreation Programming Achievement Award – Class II
This award recognizes organizations that have introduced innovative and effective recreation programs for the community. PARD was recognized for its “Zombies, AHH!” program. This event gave residents of all ages a hands-on emergency preparedness experience and challenged them to navigate a zombie-themed maze while learning how to prioritize resources, build go-bags and respond to real-world emergencies. It included support from Police, Fire, Engineering, and Emergency Services, adding excitement while helping participants learn practical safety skills.

2026 Administration and Management Excellence Award
This award honors innovations in administration, management, or supervisory practices that address challenges, improve public service and enhance employee morale, staff development, or communication among the public, boards, councils, and staff. PARD earned this recognition for its Shark Tank initiative, which invited park operations crews to pitch improvement projects to leadership, shifting planning to a more collaborative, staff-driven approach.

Both awards highlight PARD’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality programs and services to the community.

A City of Lewisville nominee also earned the 2026 Educator Outstanding Performance Award.
This award recognizes an educator who advances the field through research, teaching, and the sharing of knowledge with parks and recreation professionals. Dr. Jaime Baxter-Slye of the University of North Texas was honored for her hands-on ecological education, student-led research and restoration projects, and her partnerships with local communities, including the City of Lewisville and the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area.