Awards & Honors
National, Regional & Local Recognition
2024
- Norris Woods Nature Preserve, as the 5th site in Illinois, to be inducted into the National Old-Growth Forest Network
- Illinois Association of Park District Recognized Commissioner Bob Thomson for 25 Years of Service
- IAPD’s Best of the Best Art in the Park Award for Sculpture in the Park
- Received St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for the renovation of Kehoe Park
- Excellence in Financial Award Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association
- Kane County Reader’s Choice Awards
- The Best Summer Fun Park District – St. Charles Park District
- One of the Best Family Recreation – St. Charles Park District
- One of the Best Golf Courses – Pottawatomie Golf Course
- Finest Golf Course in Kane County – Pottawatomie Golf Course
2023
- Illinois Association of Park District Recognized Commissioner Jim Cooke for 40 Years of Service and Brian Charles for 10 Years of Service
- Commissioner James F. Cooke honored with the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Charlemagne Award for his distinguished history of service to the community
- Chicago Wilderness Alliance’s George B. Rabb Force of Nature Award for hosting a Rusty Rodeo event with Kane County Forest Preserve District
- Received St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Awards for the development of Anthem Heights Park and the renovated entrance plaza at Pottawatomie Golf Course
- Excellence in Financial Award Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association
- Named THE BEST for Summer Fun by Kane County Readers for Pottawatomie Park
2022
- Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency by the Illinois Association of Park Districts and Illinois Park and Recreation Association
- Received St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Awards for Pottawatomie Park’s Sensory Garden & Inclusive Playground, James O. Breen Community Park’s Pickleball Courts and Baker Community Center’s Keg Renovation
- Excellence in Financial Award Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association
- IAPD’s Best of the Best Award for Intergovernmental Cooperation with Illinois Nature Preserve Commission, Forest Preserve District of Kane County, Forest Preserves of Cook County & McHenry County Conservation District
- New GPS Athletic Field Marking System selected as a National Top 10 Winner for Special District’s Technology Innovation by AT&T and Government Technology Magazine
2021
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Best of the Best Award for Intergovernmental Cooperation with the St. Charles Public Library
- Illinois Association of Park District Recognized Commissioner Bob Carne for 10 Years of Service
- Excellence in Financial Award Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association
- Received River Corridor Foundation’s Golden Turtle Award
- Named THE BEST for Summer Fun by Kane County Readers for Pottawatomie Park
- Named THE BEST for Golf Course by Kane County Readers for Pottawatomie Golf Course
- Retained Pottawatomie Golf Course’s Certified Audubon Sanctuary Status
- Chicago Magazine named St. Charles as a Best Place to Live for Green Spaces highlighting Mt. St. Mary Park and Pottawatomie Park
2020
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Best of the Best Award for Best Green Practices of Open Space and Land Management
- Illinois Association of Park District Recognized Commissioner Karrsten Goettel for 15 Years of Service
- GMIS International Recognized the Park District & City’s Fiber Network Partnership
- Fox Valley Special Recreation Association Recognized Commissioner Bob Thomson for 20 Years of Service
- River Corridor Foundation Recognized Director Holly Cabel with the Golden Turtle Award
- Excellence in Financial Award Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for Pottawatomie Golf Course Shoreline Stabilization Project
- Named THE BEST for Summer Fun by Kane County Readers for Pottawatomie Park
2019
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Healthy Aging in Parks Photo Contest/Success Story Winner for Adult Activity Center’s Harmelodians
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Premier Member Calendar Photo Contest Winner for Mud Day
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Best of the Best Award for Sensory Cove Aquatic Program in Partnership with For Scout Foundation
- Illinois Association of Park District Recognized Commissioner Bob Thomson for 20 Years of Service
- Received Ellis & Associates GOLD International Aquatic Safety Award
- Excellence in Financial Award Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association
- Fox Valley Special Recreation Association Presented its Extra Mile Award to Cayla Greenfield and Melissa Caine for their Ongoing Support of Programs
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for Sportsplex, Paddlewheel Riverboats and Mt. St. Mary Park Improvements
- Named ONE OF THE BEST for Summer Fun by Kane County Readers for Pottawatomie Park, Otter Cove and Pottawatomie Golf Course
- Glancer Magazine Reader’s Choice Award for ‘Best of the Best in Kane County’ for Sportsplex in the Kids & Teen Sporting Fun Category
- Glancer Magazine Reader’s Choice Award for ‘Best of the Best in Kane County’ for Concerts in the Park in the Summer Concert Series Category
- Pottawatomie Garden Club Presented Pottawatomie Golf Course with the Landscape Commendation Award
2018
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Give Us Your Best Shot Photo Contest in the Recreation Category for Otter Cove
- Illinois Association of Park District Recognized Commissioner James F. Cooke for 35 Years of Service
- Received Ellis & Associates GOLD International Aquatic Safety Award
- Golf Pro Ron Skubisz Honored with Prestigious PGA Illinois Section Award
- Excellence in Financial Award Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association
- Fox Valley Special Recreation Association Presented its Inclusion Supporter of the Year Award to Laura McCoy, Rosie Fasching and Lynne Yuill
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for Norris Recreation Center Renovations, Otter Cove Amenities Enhancement, Delnor Woods Park Improvements
- Named THE BEST for Summer Fun by Kane County Readers
2017
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Recreation Cover Photo Contest Finalist for Skateboarding and Summer Camps
- Employee Pam Otto Awarded America in Bloom’s National Community Champion Award for Outstanding Vision & Commitment
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Give Us Your Best Shot Photo Contest in the Sports Category for Skateboarding (2nd Place)
- Fox Valley Special Recreation Association’s Agency of the Year
- Excellence in Financial Award Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for Baker Community Center Renovations, Fairview Park Development, Hickory Knolls’ Aquaponics Display and the Farm Plaza Improvements
- Received Ellis & Associates GOLD International Aquatic Safety Award
- Named BEST OF THE FOX Golf Course by Kane County Readers
2016
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Best of the Best Intergovernmental Cooperation Award for the Norris Recreation Center partnership with Community Unit School District 303
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Give Us Your Best Shot Photo Contest in the Wildlife Category for a Swallowtail Butterfly and in the Sports Category for a Baseball Program
- Excellence in Financial Award Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for Pottawatomie Park’s new Bike Plaza and Outdoor Fitness Equipment
2015
- Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s Outstanding Special Event Award for Primrose Farm’s Night at the Mooovies
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Give Us Your Best Shot Photo Contest in the Sports Category for the Tiny Tots Track Meet
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for Regency Estates Park
2014
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Give Us Your Best Shot Photo Contest in the Wildlife Category for the Ruby Throated Hummingbird
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Best of the Best Helen Doria Arts in the Park Award for the Park District’s partnership with the St. Charles Arts Council on the Charlie’s Center for the Arts Events
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for Belgium Town Park
2013
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Gold Medal Award Finalist
- Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s Best of the Best Partnership Award for River Bend Community Park
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Give Us Your Best Shot Photo Contest in the Wildlife Category for the Hummingbird Moth
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Give Us Your Best Shot Photo Contest in the Sports Category for the BMX Biker
- Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s Outstanding Sustainability and Conservation Award for the Blandings Turtle Breeding Project at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for River View Miniature Golf Course Courtyard Renovations
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for Pottawatomie Park’s Playground Project
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Charlemagne Award to Park Board Commissioner Gloria Klimek
2012
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Gold Medal Award Finalist
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Give Us Your Best Shot Photo Contest in the Recreation Category for Crocodile
- Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s Outstanding Facility & Parks Award for River Bend Community Park
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for River Bend Community Park
- Silver LEED Certification for Hickory Knolls Discovery Center
2011
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Best of the Best Award First Runner Up for the Arts in the Park Award for Sculpture in the Park
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Best of the Best Award for the 100th Anniversary Celebration
- Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s Outstanding Facility & Parks Award for Hickory Knolls Discovery Center
- Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s Outstanding Facility & Parks Award for Otter Cove Aquatic Park
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for New Construction of Otter Cove Aquatic Park
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for New Construction of Hickory Knolls Discovery Center
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for Renovations at Mt. St. Mary Park and Norris Woods
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for a Community Project with Wredling Middle School and the City’s Tree Commission
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for the 100th Anniversary Celebration
2010
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for Pottawatomie Community Center being named 15th Best 9-hole Course in America by Golf World Magazine
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for the River Bend Community Park
- ACEC-Illinois’ Engineering Excellence Special Achievement Award for the Randall Road Bike/Pedestrian Bridge
- American Public Works Association Project of the Year for the Randall Road Bike/Pedestrian Bridge
2009
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for the Randall Road Bike/Pedestrian Bridge
2008
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Gold Medal Award Finalist
- Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s Conservation Program Award for the Kane County Certified Naturalist Program
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for Primrose Farm
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Community Image Award for Pottawatomie Park’s Water Feature Partnership with Aquascape
2007
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Gold Medal Award Finalist
- Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s Outstanding Facility & Parks Award for Pottawatomie Golf Course Renovations
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for Mt. St. Mary Park’s Community Service Clubs Playground
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for the completion of Pottawatomie Park’s Historic Pavilion and Tower
2006
- Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s Conservation Program Award for the Native Plant Demonstration Garden
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Community Image Award for Pottawatomie Golf Course Capital Improvements
- Kane-DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District’s Dick Young Award presented to Naturalist Mary Ochsenschlager
2005
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Great Lakes Region Partnership Award – 2nd Place for Campton Hills Park
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Joint Publication Committee Photo Contest in the Recreation Category for Sledding (2nd place)
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Joint Publication Committee Photo Contest in the Sports Category for Early Childhood Basketball (2nd place)
- Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s Outstanding Facility & Parks Award for Pottawatomie Community Center’s Adult Activity Center
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Community Image Award for Campton Hills Splash Park
- Chicago Wilderness Conservation and Native Landscaping Award for the Native Plant Demonstration Garden
2004
- Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s Conservation Program Award for the Nature Program Partnership with Community Unit School District 303
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for the Pottawatomie Community Center’s Adult Activity Center
- DuKane Valley Council Chandler Award for Title to Campton Hills Park
2003
- United Way Bronze Award to Park District for outstanding service to the people of our community
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Community Image Award for Title to Campton Hills Park
2002
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Robert M. Artz Citizen Volunteer Award to Park Board Commissioner James F. Cooke
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Great Lakes Region Partnership Award – 2nd Place for STC Underground Teen Center
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Mike Cassidy Commissioner Community Service Award to Park Board Commissioner James F. Cooke
- Illinois State Governor’s Home Town Award for STC Underground Teen Center
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for the East Side Sports Complex
2001
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for Mt. St. Mary Park’s Skate Park
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for the STC Underground Teen Center
2000
- Illinois Association of Park District’s Rising Star Award to Park Board Commissioner Clint Hull
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for Delnor Woods Park
- Chicago Wilderness Conservation and Native Landscaping Award for the Campton Hills Park Natural Area
1999
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Civic Image Award for the Fox River Native Plant & Education Services
1998
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Gold Medal Award Winner
- Chicago Wilderness Conservation and Native Landscaping Award for the Native Plant Education Area
1997
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Gold Medal Award Finalist
1995
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Gold Medal Award Finalist
1994
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Gold Medal Award Finalist
1993
- National Recreation & Park Association’s Gold Medal Award Finalist