GLENDALE BRINGS HOME PAIR OF APRA AWARDS
City wins the 2022 Partnership Award and the 2022 Outstanding Public Official Award
The city of Glendale’s Public Facilities, Recreation and Special Events Department was honored on November 8 at the 72nd annual Arizona Parks & Recreation Awards presentation held at the Peoria Sports Complex. Glendale won two APRA awards which recognize excellence in both parks and recreation.
In a collaborative effort with Televeda, the city of Glendale created the Glendale Recreation Online Wellness program or G.R.O.W. for short. This program won the city the 2022 Partnership Award. The G.R.O.W program allows the city to offer classes to the community from the comfort of their homes or in person. City officials worked with Televeda to promote these opportunities and collaborated with one of their instructors on a virtual class. With the city expanding the class virtually, they were able to expand both their reach and engagement.
“I am so pleased to have my staff recognized by the state association for the innovative program and partnership with Televeda,” said Director of Public Facilities, Recreation and Special Events Jim Burke.
Vice Mayor Jamie Aldama was awarded the 2022 Outstanding Public Official Award for his various contributions to the city of Glendale. Aldama has been instrumental in bringing back city-run programs, continuing the ‘Hook-a-Kid On Fishing’ clinic and has been heavily involved in the master planning process.
“I am humbled and honored to have been recognized by APRA,” said Glendale Vice Mayor Jamie Aldama. “I appreciate the association’s advocacy for parks statewide. I am proud of the diligent service provided by the city of Glendale’s parks and recreation staff. The parks and community system in our city is something I have always been passionate about and I will continue to advocate for improvements and amenities for all citizens to enjoy.”
The Glendale Public Facilities, Recreation and Special Events Department is a partnership of employees and the community working together to create a better quality of life for Glendale through the provision of excellent parks, recreational programming, special events, tourism and neighborhood and community facilities.
Photos courtesy of the City of Apache Junction