Award and Honors

Best Places to Live in America
June 2023

Lee's Summit ranked among the Top 100 Best Cities to Live in America by Livability, scoring high marks for its economy, transportation and health. 

Best Places to Live for Families
June 2023

Lee's Summit ranked #14 out of nearly 1,900 cities, towns, suburbs, exurbs, villages and townships across the U.S. evaluated on Fortune's 50 Best Places to Live for Families.

Bike Friendly Community
May 2021

Lee's Summit was recognized as a Bike Friendly Community for the prioritization of safer bicycling environments, pro-bike policies and bike infrastructure. The City earned bronze designation in 2016 and will retain this honor through 2025. Lee's Summit is among nine cities in Missouri to receive this designation. 

Walk Friendly Community
May 2020

Lee's Summit was recognized as Walk Friendly for the prioritization of pedestrian safety, mobility and walkability. The City earned silver designation in 2015 and will retain this honor through 2025. No other metro city or city within Missouri, has received this achievement. 

ACEC/MO Engineering Excellence
Feb. 2019

The City received three Engineering Excellence Awards from the ACEC for projects at the Lee’s Summit airport, U.S. 50 and Route 291, and U.S. 50 and Blackwell Road.

Community for All Ages
Jan. 2019

Lee's Summit was recognized with Silver and Gold level designations which acknowledge the assessment and age-friendly policies implemented to become more welcoming to residents of all ages.

Sustainable Success Recognition
Dec. 2018

Lee's Summit was recognized by MARC for advancing the region's goals for green infrastructure in the City's capital projects.

ACPA Excellence in Concrete Pavements
Dec. 2018

The Lee's Summit airport runway extension project received the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) Excellence in Concrete Pavements award. 

Digital Cities
Nov. 2018

Lee's Summit placed second in its population category as a leader in digital technology with the Digital Cities Survey award from the Center for Digital Government. 

Best Places to Live in America
Sept. 2018

Lee's Summit ranked 41 out of 583 cities reviewed on Money magazine's 2018 list of Best Places to Live in America. 

Parks & Recreation Earns National Accreditation
Aug. 2018

Based on 151 standards for national accreditation, the Lee's Summit Parks & Recreation Department achieved a perfect review from CAPRA and a fourth national accreditation. 

APWA Transportation Project of the Year
May 2018

The Lee’s Summit Airport Runway Improvements project was named the Public Works Transportation Project of the Year by the Kansas City Metro Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA).

SolSmart Gold Designation
Apr. 2018

Lee's Summit received national recognition and a Gold designation for its commitment to promoting renewable energy. 

Tree City USA
April 2018

Lee's Summit has been named a 2017 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. This is the 14th year Lee's Summit has received the award.

Community for All Ages
Jan. 2018

Lee's Summit recognized as a Community for All Ages with a Bronze level designation for its efforts to make the community a great place for residents of all ages to live and age well. 

Digital Cities
Nov. 2017

Lee's Summit placed third in its population category as a leader in digital technology with the Digital Cities Survey award from the Center for Digital Government. 

Bicycle Friendly Community
Nov. 2016

Lee's Summit has been named a Bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.