Downtown Arlington Earns IDA Achievement Award of Excellence

Published on September 11, 2026

Photo caption: Visitors at Rotary Dream Park in Downtown Arlington.

By Downtown Arlington Management Corporation Communications

The International Downtown Association recognized Downtown Arlington with the Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence for its resourceful approaches related to Partnerships for Parks. A jury of peer professionals reviewed, deliberated and evaluated all entries in the 2026 Downtown Achievement Awards. The Award of Excellence acknowledges an excellent response to an urban place management challenge, demonstrating application of industry knowledge and exceeds the jury criteria.

Downtown Arlington Management Corporation President and CEO Maggie Campbell spoke to the organization’s vision for connecting the district through thoughtful public spaces and outdoor gathering places.

Arlington Mayor Jim Ross commended the organization’s management of the growing district.

“Downtown Arlington Management Corporation has done an excellent job responding to the needs of our community and creating public spaces that serve our growing Downtown destination,” Mayor Ross said. “These efforts have helped make Downtown Arlington a more welcoming and vibrant place for residents and visitors alike. We are proud to see this work recognized with an IDA Award of Excellence and celebrated on the international stage.”  

Downtown Arlington has worked to address a longstanding need for more public spaces where the community can gather. As new residential development brought more people downtown, the need for spaces that support recreation, entertainment and quality of life became increasingly important.

Today, spaces like the Levitt Pavilion, Rotary Dream Park and the Downtown Arlington Doggie Depot give residents and visitors more ways to enjoy Downtown Arlington. The Levitt Pavilion brings live music and entertainment to the district, while Rotary Dream Park offers a place for people of all ages to play and spend time outdoors. The Doggie Depot was created in response to a resident survey identifying a need for a dog park downtown and provides an amenity for nearby residents. Together, these spaces add greenery, recreation, entertainment and opportunities for community-building to the downtown experience.

Partnership for Parks was entered in the category of Planning Design, and Infrastructure, which IDA identifies as one of the seven professional urban place management practice areas. This category features unique organizational approaches and projects in the areas of clean, safe and hospitality, placemaking and activation and facilities management.

"Downtown Arlington has demonstrated skillful application of urban place management principles with their project Partnership for Parks,” said David Downey, IDA President and CEO. “The Partnership for Parks should serve as a framework to all member communities within IDA.”