ESTES PARK - Estes Park is one of eight cities to receive a 2009 Award for Municipal Excellence from the National League of Cities.

The awards are given to cities with programs that enrich the community through economic development; community and neighborhood development; children and families; homeownership; water treatment; and sustainability.

Estes received a silver award for its Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership. The program, administered by the Estes Park Police Department, focuses on improving victim services, reducing arrests and repeat offenders and giving community members a more visible role in the justice process.

The awards, started in 1989, are divided into four population categories with one winner from each category at the gold and silver levels. Other silver award winners were Burnsville, Minn.; St. Louis, Mo.; and Seattle. Gold award winners include Slidell, La.; Savannah, Ga.; Long Beach, Calif.; and New York. An awards ceremony will be held on Nov. 13 at the NLC's Congress of Cities in San Antonio.