After years of being finalist in the National Recreation & Park Association gold medalist competition, the City of Waukesha’s Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department has taken the gold medal in the nationwide competition.

Mayor Jeff Scrima announced the award Tuesday night in the Common Council meeting. The national association bestowed the recognition on Waukesha earlier in the day.

The park’s department was one of 20 finalists in the competition – one of four in the category for communities with populations between 50,000 and 100,000 people.

Waukesha was also a finalist in 2010 and 2008, according to the city’s website.

“This is a great honor,” Scrima said.

Watch the video here.