The Parks and Recreation Department has six Divisions: Administration, Park Maintenance, Aquatics, Civic Centre, Recreation and Shawnee Town. The department is also responsible for the City's cemeteries. The department has 20 full-time employees plus 16 part-time and 145 seasonal employees.

Mission Statement:

 Creating opportunities for the community to explore, engage, and connect.

Vision Statement: 

Shawnee Parks and Recreation is a leader in creating a healthy community by promoting innovative and inclusive opportunities that fulfill each person’s mind, body, and spirit.

Guiding Principals:

Create Community: Furthering “One Shawnee” is the goal for this principle through equitable services, inclusiveness, and strengthening community relationships and partnerships. A variety of efforts will be made to connect and engage the Department to City’s residents, being a leader in bringing the community together.

Commit to Service: The Department will endeavor to focus on providing excellent customer service to its customers. The Department will have an external customer focus and continuously identify and respond to community needs.

Focus on Accessibility and Equity:  All residents should have access to programs, facilities, places, and spaces regardless of where they live, their income, ethnicity, age, special needs, or gender.  Additionally, the Department will continuously work toward providing equitable locations of programs, parks, facilities, trails, and open space throughout the City, ensuring geographical balance. This principle also includes the commitment to a balanced system, or one in which resources are allocated appropriately among all facets of the parks and recreation system.

Provide a Quality of Life: The Parks and Recreation Department plays a major role in positively impacting the health and wellness of the community. The Department will take a holistic approach to
strengthening overall community health in mind, body, and spirit/soul. These efforts contribute to the quality of life in Shawnee.

Ensure Environmental Sustainability and Open Space Preservation: This principle focuses on meeting the needs of present users without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It includes the Department’s efforts in interacting with the environment to avoid depletion or degradation of natural resources. This also includes ensuring that open space opportunities are preserved for future generations.