City Awards

2019 Preservation Kentucky Award

Paducah’s City Hall has been recognized by Preservation Kentucky with the David L. Morgan Excellence Award.  This honors us for using Kentucky’s State Historic Preservation Tax Credits in the recent rehabilitation of City Hall. 

Preservation Kentucky Executive Director Betsy Hatfield says, ”There is a direct link between historic preservation and healthy communities.  Historic buildings are how we identify with our communities, and our attachment to our communities is an important indicator of how economically successful our communities will be.  Historic preservation is good for business, our economy and our quality of life."

2018 Boaters' Choice Award for Transient Boat Dock

Marinas.com has notified the City of Paducah that Paducah’s Transient Boat Dock is a recipient of the 2018 Boaters’ Choice Award.  This is the second consecutive year for Paducah to receive the award which honors marinas and docks that consistently provide an excellent home for the boating community.

According to Marinas.com, 217 marinas/docking facilities are being honored for going the extra mile in 2018 for boaters. The Boaters’ Choice Award is based on reviews by boaters.  To be recognized, each facility had to receive at least three reviews averaging a rating of four or more stars out of five stars.

Below are a couple of the reviews posted by boaters who enjoyed Paducah’s amenities in 2018. 

• Coming through in 2015, I couldn't understand why Paducah had no facilities for cruisers. This has now been wonderfully resolved with the new docks. I hope the town reaps the benefits from all the cruisers that stop by. I grocery shopped and had dinner in town so hope I helped the economy in some small way. The docks are a superb piece of engineering and built at considerable cost. We appreciate the town's foresight.
• Fantastic Dock that we will visit again and again. Within walking distance of the downtown with plenty to see and do! Restaurants and downtown merchants are many and the River Wall art and The Quilt Museum with the Ohio River are fun things to see. Thanks Paducah!!

In 2018, 360 boats docked at Paducah’s Transient Boat Dock spending a total of 522 nights. 

City of Paducah Receives 27th Consecutive Award for Financial Reporting

For the 27th consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the City of Paducah the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).  The CAFR is a voluntary document compiled by the City for review and grading that includes the city’s audit and various financial and statistical reports. 

According to the GFOA, the Certificate of Achievement represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management and is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.  Paducah’s award is for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2017. 

This internationally recognized award is one element necessary for the City to maintain a strong S & P bond rating of AA-. 

A section of the letter from GFOA Technical Services Director Michele Mark Levine to the City of Paducah announcing our 27th award reads, “Congratulations for having satisfied the high standards of the program.  We hope that your example will encourage others in their efforts to achieve and maintain an appropriate standard of excellence in financial reporting.”

26th Consecutive Year as Tree City USA

The Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters has named Paducah a 2017 Tree City USA.  This is the 26th consecutive year Paducah has achieved this honor recognizing the efforts by the community to make the planting and care of trees a priority.

Mayor Brandi Harless says, “Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, and energy use.  Paducah is stepping up to do its part by making an ongoing commitment to the management of our urban forest.”

Paducah achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements:  a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.  Paducah is one of more than 3,400 Tree City USAs.

Trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained.  Some of the benefits include improving the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increasing property values, reducing home cooling costs, removing air pollutants, and providing wildlife habitat.

2017 Boaters' Choice Award for Transient Boat Dock

In December 2017, Marinas.com notified the City of Paducah that Paducah’s Transient Boat Dock is a recipient of the 2017 Boaters’ Choice Award.  Paducah and Green Turtle Bay Resort in Grand Rivers, Kentucky received the honor in the Inland category.

The annual Boaters’ Choice awards, organized by Marinas.com, is a long-standing tradition within the boating community. According to Marinas.com, 152 marinas/docking facilities are being honored this year for going the extra mile to make boaters feel at home.  The Boaters’ Choice Award is based on reviews by boaters.  Each facility had to receive at least three reviews averaging a rating of four or more stars out of five stars to receive the honor.

Parks & Recreation Department Director Mark Thompson says, “This recognition by Marinas.com makes me proud since it is determined solely by boater reviews.  We value the input by the boating community in providing suggestions, comments, and praise for the Paducah Transient Boat Dock.”

Following is one of the reviews posted by a boater who enjoyed Paducah’s amenities.  Great facility in which we could tie up to either side of the dock. Beautiful downtown area within a couple of blocks from the dock with many great restaurants (some with live music), and cute shops. The town has cab and Lift services to stock up supplies from Wal-Mart or a local grocery store. We also enjoyed the 4 mile bike path just a couple blocks from the city dock. Could have stayed another day to take in the many museums. What a GREAT stop!!!

City of Paducah Receives Voice of the People Award

The National Research Center, Inc. (NRC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) presented the City of Paducah the 2017 Voice of the People Award for Transformation in Recreation and Wellness at the ICMA annual conference on October 23, 2017.  The award is due to Paducah's increases in the Citizen Survey results in the Recreation & Wellness category from 2013 to 2016. Out of all the communities that conducted the survey in 2016, Paducah had the highest ratings increases for questions related to walking trails, natural environment, and recreational opportunities.  Voice of the People News Release >> 

Officer A.J. Parrish Honored at Governor's Impaired Driving Enforcement Awards Ceremony

Paducah police Officer A.J. Parrish was honored December 13, 2016, at the Governor’s Impaired Driving Enforcement Awards ceremony in Lexington.  Parrish was among law enforcement officers from throughout the state who were recognized for their efforts to keep impaired drivers off of Kentucky’s roadways. Parrish arrested 45 people on charges of driving under the influence during the program’s counting period – Oct. 1, 2015, through Sept. 30, 2016.  The Paducah Police Department’s total number of DUI arrests during the counting period was 215.  Parrish, 24, has been with the department since May 2014.

Paducah Receives Enterprise Cities Award for Fountain Avenue Neighborhood Revitalization Project

The Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) honored the City of Paducah with an Enterprise Cities award for the Fountain Avenue Neighborhood Revitalization project at the Tuesday, November 1, 2016 City Commission Meeting.  Sadieville, Kentucky Mayor-KLC President Claude Christensen presented the award along with KLC Community Development Manager Tad Long.  The Enterprise Cities Award recognizes city projects or programs making a true impact on their communities.  Paducah Mayor Gayle Kaler says, “Healthy, vibrant neighborhoods are the foundation of a healthy community. The revitalization of the Fountain Avenue Neighborhood came about through collaboration and the strategic use of programs and partners. Paducah is proud to be recognized by the Kentucky League of Cities for our efforts in Fountain Avenue, a neighborhood that is now reborn.”  Enterprise Cities Award News Release >>

Paducah Featured in July-August 2016 edition of Where to Retire Magazine

Paducah has been selected as a top retirement destination by Where to Retire, the only magazine in America geared toward helping people with retirement relocation decisions. The city is profiled in a feature titled “8 Rejuvenating River Cities” in the July/August 2016 issue, available nationwide on June 14.  Where to Retire Editor Annette Fuller said many retirees migrate to water, and these eight cities, with stunning rivers close by, are good ones to consider. “River cities, including Paducah, situated near the Ohio, Cumberland, Mississippi and Tennessee rivers, appeal to retirees who seek the outdoors. Bird watching or fishing along the banks, hiking nearby trails, boating and camping are just a few of the available activities. Not everything revolves around water though; quaint downtowns, continuing education opportunities and a variety of shopping and dining options contribute to a well-rounded retirement,” Fuller said.  8 Rejuvenating River Cities: Asheville, NC (French Broad River); Augusta, GA/Aiken, SC (Savannah River); Bend, OR (Deschutes River); Covington, LA (Abita River); Grand Junction, CO (Gunnison and Colorado Rivers); Paducah, KY (Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland and Mississippi Rivers); Victoria, TX (Guadalupe River); Wenatchee, WA (Columbia River).

Testimonial about Paducah from National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

When I was asked by the NEA Chairman’s office if I would consider traveling to Paducah to give a grants workshop, I jumped at the opportunity for several reasons.  First, because of my grants portfolio, I’m acutely aware that we’re not seeing many grant applications from the area.  But what really got me excited me was the prospect of experiencing first-hand what Paducah has to offer.  In my world, the Artist Relocation Program and the UNESCO Creative Cities designation are outstanding exemplars of a community that is embracing artists and culture to define itself, and put the city on the map.

What I found far exceeded my expectations.  Jane Jacobs famously said that new ideas must use old buildings.  I saw ample evidence of that throughout my brief, yet intense tour of this architecturally rich city.  I had a chance to tour the Paducah School of Art & Design, which has to be one of the most inspiring state-of-the art facilities for artists and art students to be found anywhere.  It’s a beautiful and thoughtfully re-purposed light-filled crown jewel that will surely be a beacon for creative visual artists in all disciplines.  And I can’t help but imagine what kind of wonderful and powerful impact that creative engine is going to have on the community!

Although I was only in Paducah for a short visit, I was impressed by the people I met.  Nearly 50 people from all walks of life in surrounding counties gave me a warm welcome and generously offered insight into what I think must be the “secret sauce” of the cultural community:  collaboration - coupled with a deep and abiding respect for the sense of place that makes Paducah unique.  Instead of six degrees of separation, I jokingly suggested that there are really only two degrees in this tight-knit and civic minded community.  But as an outsider, I felt welcomed.  Clearly, this community is doing a lot of things right, and is willing to be open to new people and new ideas, and to share that secret sauce.

Michael Killoren
Local Arts Agencies & Challenge America Director | Partnership
National Endowment for the Arts

In response to the testimonial from Michael Killoren, Paducah Mayor Gayle Kaler said, "The community will continue to grow our arts IQ because the Genie has been released from the bottle.  There is no stopping the growth of Paducah's Creative Culture."