The Glencoe Park District has won the 2026 National Gold Medal Award, the second time the village's park system has earned the highest honor in the profession.

The award was announced at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Annual Conference in Philadelphia, which ran Tuesday, Sept. 29 through Thursday, Oct. 1, according to the district. The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) and the NRPA present the Gold Medal to agencies that demonstrate excellence across six areas, including community engagement, environmental stewardship, professional development and fiscal responsibility. The program has recognized agencies since 1965.

Glencoe's first Gold Medal came in 2019.

The district competed in Class V, for communities with populations under 30,000. Three other finalists shared the stage: Itasca Park District, Los Alamos County Community Services Department and Valley City Parks and Recreation District. A panel of five park and recreation professionals evaluated each agency on the NRPA's core pillars of health and well-being, equity and environmental resilience.

"This award is an incredible honor and a reflection of the dedication of our entire team, our Board of Commissioners, and the Glencoe community," Executive Director Lisa Sheppard said in the district's announcement on Sept. 30.

The path back to the Gold Medal was steady. The district was a finalist in 2017 and 2018 before winning in 2019. After a required waiting period, Glencoe returned as a finalist in 2025 and again in 2026 before taking the top honor.

The district has been building credentials beyond the Gold Medal, too. A December 2025 board report noted the district received IAPD/IPRA Distinguished Accreditation with an exceptional score and had begun pursuing CAPRA national accreditation, a rigorous process undertaken by fewer than 5% of agencies nationwide.

Street party marks the win Friday, Oct. 2

Glencoe residents can see the Gold Medal plaque in person Friday, Oct. 2. The district is hosting a street party on Randolph from 5 to 8 p.m. following the Great Mud Run, a 1.25-mile race with 12 obstacles, mud, slime and foam.

The party is open to everyone, not just runners. It features live music, barbecue and beer. The district invited the whole community to celebrate on Instagram, calling it a Gold Medal party for all of Glencoe.