Sept. 4, 2008

Contact: Richard Symchak – 837-8032

TUCSON PARKS AND RECREATION EARNS AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

Tucson Parks and Recreation recently earned three awards for excellence at the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association’s annual conference.

The 2008 Outstanding Aquatics Program award was presented to the Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center for its Homeschool Swim program, a course designed to meet the physical education needs and state requirements for homeschooled children in the Tucson area. Students receive instruction in living healthy lives through exercise in an aquatic environment. Started in fall 2007 with two classes of 8-10 children, the program has now grown to four classes of 12-16 children.

The Department’s innovative Art in Reality (AIR) program earned honors as 2008

Outstanding Youth Enrichment Program. Serving youth, ages 13-21, with little or no access to the arts, AIR has offered free visual and performing arts experiences since 1999. The program serves more than 700 youth annually and in addition to seasonal classes covering a variety of artistic areas, it provides students the opportunity to perform and showcase their work through community events.

Bob Martin, retired deputy director, received the 2008 Professional Emeritus Award for

his 28 years of professional service and dedication to the field of Parks and Recreation. He was cited for his leadership role in expanding youth and senior services to the community and the development of numerous recreational programs and facilities for the residents of Tucson. Martin began his Parks and Recreation career here in 1978 and retired in 2006.