All about the Henderson Parks & Recreation Dept.
The award-winning City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department is accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and is committed to providing residents with a variety of life-enriching classes, workshops and events hosted at 73 world-class parks, 11 aquatic facilities, and eight recreation centers (including two centers for adults 50+).
1,966 acres of park land
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230 miles of trails
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105 athletic fields
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73 parks
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11 aquatic facilities
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8 indoor centers
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1,966 acres of park land | 230 miles of trails | 105 athletic fields | 73 parks | 11 aquatic facilities | 8 indoor centers |
Two-Time Gold Medal Agency
The City of Henderson has received the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in 2014 and 1999. The Gold Medal Award honors park and recreation agencies throughout the United States that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development, and agency recognition.
CAPRA Accredited since 2001
The City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department has been reaccredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) for the third time, making it the only agency in Nevada to hold this prestigious designation and one of only 189 CAPRA accredited agencies in the United States.
Through compliance with 36 fundamental and 118 non-fundamental standards of excellence, CAPRA accreditation assures policy makers, department staff, and the public that an accredited park and recreation agency has been independently evaluated against established benchmarks as delivering a high level of quality. The City of Henderson demonstrated 100 percent compliance with all 154 standards.
Ranked #23 of the 100 most populated U.S. cities for park access
Henderson prides itself on its commitment to provide residents and visitors with award-winning parks and trails. And we’re not the only ones to recognize these efforts. Our City parks were ranked #23 of the 100 most populated U.S. cities according to the Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore index; the national old standard for the comparison of park systems in the nation. T. Published annually, the index measures over 500 park systems according to five categories: access, investment, amenities, acreage, and equity. As of 2024, 74% of Henderson residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.
Henderson Parks & Recreation Divisions:
SUPPORT
Strategic Planning & Support
The Administration Division manages strategic planning and supports daily operations through workforce training, technology services, and marketing, while also securing alternative funding through grants and sponsorship outreach.
MANAGEMENT
Parks, Trails, & Open Space Mgmt.
Parks, trails, and open space management oversees over 1,966 acres of parks, trails, and civic grounds, including 69 parks, 230 miles of trails, 105 sports fields, and streetscapes. It also manages 30,000 trees valued at $60 million and oversees irrigation and water conservation systems
SERVICE
Recreation & Community Service
Recreation and Community Services provides fitness, sports, aquatics, outdoor activities, and programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities through a network of parks, indoor recreation centers, pools, and specialized facilities.