The Arizona Parks and Recreation Association (APRA) is doling out accolades, and the Parks & Recreation Department’s Arts & Culture Division is the latest recipient of its prestigious Outstanding Cultural Awareness Program award. Recognized for its 2023 Juneteenth Family Day Event, the department’s effort to acknowledge and celebrate diversity did not go unnoticed. According to an announcement from the City of Goodyear, this commendation underscores its dedication to community building and cultural recognition.
Glitz and plaudits were in abundance at the APRA Conference on August 26, 2024, where teams from various departments convened to celebrate their achievements. Accompanying the Arts & Culture Division to receive the award, team members from the Parks & Recreation Department basked in the glory of what this award represents for their long-term planning and innovative programming—according to the same Goodyear news post. Fiscal responsibility also played a headlining role in the criteria for this accolade, though not appear as flashy as the big win.
APRA’s awards are a state-wide affair, designed to honor Arizona communities that excel across various categories, notably in resource management and service delivery in the park and recreational domains. Not merely a pat on the back, the Outstanding Cultural Awareness Program award handed over to the Parks & Recreation Department serves as a bright spot in a tapestry of recognition aimed at those who foster engagement and understanding across broad swathes of the community.
The 2023 Juneteenth celebration orchestrated by the Arts & Culture Division, for wrangling recognition from APRA, became more than just a one-day event; it has transmuted into a beacon for how public services can and should engage with history and present-day societal fabric. Focused on providing a platform for remembrance and jubilation, the team’s ability to pivot the public discourse towards inclusivity and cultural celebration found success, as evidenced by their recent award. That’s something they’re not shy about broadcasting from the rooftops—or as the Goodyear announcement subtly put it, while “highlights our commitment to celebrating diversity and fostering community connections.”
What’s next for this team of city champions is anyone’s guess, but betting on their further commitment to fusing recreational spaces with cultural consciousness would likely not be a stretch. Their track record, now stamped with APRA’s seal of approval, indicates they’re playing the long game when it comes to enriching Arizona’s communal spaces with a nod to multicultural awareness and education.