Awards & Achievements

Park and Recreation Department Awards

 In 2002, The National Recreation and Parks Association presented the Excellence in Aquatics Award to Muskogee Parks and Recreation for the creation and operation of the River Country Family Water Park.

 The American Society of Landscape Architects selected Honor Heights Park for its historical significance as a “Medallion Recipient,” one of just two such honorees in Oklahoma.  Honor Heights has been the home for Muskogee’s Azalea Festival, the Garden of Lights, and the new garden center and butterfly house called the Papilion.     

 Beginning in 1988 the National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized the City of Muskogee as a designated “Tree City USA” for their urban forestry practices under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Department.  The department's "Tree City USA" designation for 2014 was the 27th consecutive award.

 In 2008, the Southwest Park and RecreationTraining Institute presented the TOMA award to the Muskogee Parks and Recreation for its innovative renovation and creation of the Muskogee Swim and Fitness Center.  Two TOMA Awards were given to the department in 2014-the Outstanding Creative Project for Muskogee's Community Gardens; and the Outstanding PSA-Promotional for The Papilion in Honor Heights Park. 

 Keep Oklahoma Beautiful awarded the department an Award of Distinction for the C. Clay Harrell Arboretum in Honor Heights Park in 1992. 

In 2008, Keep Oklahoma Beautiful gave Parks & Recreation an Award of Excellence for Government Programs for the North Main Street Median Revitalization after the 2007 ice storm.  The department was awarded the Towering Spirit Award by KOB's Board of Directors in 2011. 

In 2014, Muskogee Parks & Recreation was awarded two awards of excellence.  One for Government Programs in Education and Communication for The Papilion in Honor Heights Park.  The second for Government Program in Beautification & Environmental Sustainability for Muskogee's Community Gardens.   

The Oklahoma Recreation and Parks Society has given the Award of Excellence in Providing Exceptional Quality in Parks and Recreational Facilities/Projects for:

1992:  The C. Clay Harrell Arboretum in Honor Heights Park                
1993:  Garden of Lights in Honor Heights Park                
1995:  Civitan Park Development                  
1996:  Love-Hatbox Sports Complex Development               
2002:  River Country Family Water Park                
2006:  Fire Station Renovation                
2011:  River Rumba Regatta                
2012:  Community Gardens
2014: Papilion at Honor Heights Park