Rolling Meadows Park District was formed in 1958 and celebrated its 60th Anniversary in 2018. The District is recognized through the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association as Distinguished Park and Recreation Accredited. The District has also achieved an Excellent Level A status, through the loss control review program, of the Park District Risk Management Association since 2008. The District has earned the Distinguished Budget recognition through the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association since 2014.
Rolling Meadows Park District has also been a finalist five times for the National Gold Medal award for excellence in parks and recreation management, most recently in 2019. Founded in 1965, the Gold Medal Awards program honors communities throughout the United States that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition. Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of community members, staff and elected officials.