Miami-Dade County's parks department collected 10 national awards, including the top honor in its category for the Chapman Field Park restoration project.
Chapman Field Restoration Earns Top National Honor
The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (PROS) received the Best in Category distinction in Parks and Recreation from the National Association of Counties at NACo's 2026 Annual Conference & Exposition in New Orleans. The award recognized the multiyear resiliency and restoration project at Chapman Field Park, a 570-acre coastal park at 13601 Deering Bay Drive in Coral Gables that was rededicated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 6, 2025, after years of environmental remediation.
Deering Estate Program Also Recognized
A program at the Deering Estate, the county heritage park on Biscayne Bay at 16701 SW 72nd Ave. in Palmetto Bay, also earned a NACo Achievement Award.
"We're incredibly proud of this achievement, which recognizes the outstanding work and dedication of our team," PROS Director Christina White said in an Aug. 20 announcement. "These awards reflect the breadth and diversity of our department, highlighting innovative programs and initiatives across multiple divisions that enhance quality of life."
NACo's Achievement Awards program recognizes innovative county government programs across 18 categories. One program per category is elevated to Best in Category status each year.
Former Military Site Now a Restoration Model
The Chapman Field Park project earned that top distinction for its approach to restoring environmentally impacted areas and building infrastructure that can withstand future environmental challenges. The park, once a military training site with ties to both world wars, sits along the coast south of Coral Reef Drive.
Beyond Chapman Field and the Deering Estate, the department's eight other awards covered programs including a Junior Park Ranger initiative, a Mountain Bike Trail Volunteer Program, a Boating Engagement Initiative through the Marinas Division, and citizen science projects through the Volunteers in Parks Program.
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade congratulated the department on Aug. 3, calling the recognition evidence that Miami-Dade Parks "continues to set the standard for innovation, stewardship, and service."
Where to Learn More
PROS oversees more than 300 parks spanning roughly 14,000 acres across Miami-Dade County. Residents can explore award-winning programs at naco.org/page/achievement-awards-database.
The Deering Estate lists daily guided museum tours at 11:30 a.m. and ongoing conservation programming; visitors should check for updates before visiting. Details at deeringestate.org.
