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Commerce City Parks, Recreation & Golf Department Award Recognition
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Summary and Background Information:
The Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Awards Program is designed to recognize and celebrate the individuals and organizations that contribute to the success and value of parks and recreation in the state of Colorado. At the 2012 Colorado Parks & Recreation Association's Annual conference, the Commerce City Parks and Recreation Department was recognized with two separate awards.
A Columbine Award highlighting best practices and creative ideas in regards to design, innovation and programming. The Design category may include either new or renovated, park or recreation facility design projects.
The Commerce City Parks and Recreation Department's Parks Division received a Columbine Award in the Design Category for Park Renovation for the Veterans Memorial.
In 2010 Commerce City determined its Veterans Memorial needed to be renovated. A process began that involved not only staff but the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, City Council and local veterans. All parties worked together to re-design the existing memorial into a monument worthy of the veterans it honors. The renovation of the Veterans Memorial highlighted Commerce City's ongoing support of veterans in the community. Over one hundred people attended the re-dedication ceremony and staff has received numerous positive comments about the renovations. As a part of this project, City Park, the 8.5 acre park adjacent to the memorial, was renamed Veterans Memorial Park. Previously, just the corner area by the memorial was referred to as Veterans Memorial Park but as the project progressed the idea of renaming the entire park was well received and park signage was updated to reflect the new name.
Part of the re-design included installing a new irrigation system for the landscape around the memorial. This new system reduced annual maintenance of the actual monument as it directed the spray of water away from the stone, eliminating staining and water damage. Each year Commerce City hosts the largest Memorial Day parade in Colorado and it culminates at the Veterans Memorial. A Memorial Brick Program was initiated to create a fund for future maintenance of the memorial and to allow purchasers to pay a more personal tribute to a veteran or veterans. This fund will ensure that Veterans Memorial continues to be a well-maintained and fitting tribute to our veterans of military service for years to come.
Tony Jaramillo, Parks Development Supervisor, was recognized as the 2012 CPRA Parks Section Professional of the Year. The honoree is someone who excels in the areas of leadership, strategic thinking and planning, partnering and coalition building and innovation within his or her organization as well as our professional association.
Tony Jaramillo is an exceptional individual and a dedicated and passionate Park and Recreation professional. He has been an active member of the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association providing exemplary leadership within the Parks Section of the association. He has demonstrated his dedication to the parks section and profession offering ideas, strategies and potential solutions regarding park issues and challenges in the state of Colorado. He promotes best practices when teaching educational sessions in the areas of playground safety and turf management; he has been a critical factor in the success of the Parks Section Spring tradeshow planning and organizing the event; he is well respected by his peers and sought after throughout the section for his expertise. It is not a surprise that Tony Jaramillo is recognized and honored as the 2012 CPRA Parks Section Professional of the Year.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Carolyn Keith
Staff Member Presenting: Carolyn Keith will introduce Stephanie Stevens, Executive Director, Colorado Parks & Recreation Association
Financial Impact: $N/A
Funding Source: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Mayor and City Council acknowledge awards received by Parks & Recreation and take group photo
Suggested Motion: N/A