Marana Parks & Recreation Active Adult 50+ Program Awarded at APRA

Julie Mudd, Recreation Supervisor, and Tammy Burchett, Recreation Programmer

The Town of Marana Parks and Recreation Department received three awards at the 70th Arizona Parks and Recreation Association’s State Conference, including the Outstanding Program Award for the “Marana Police Appreciation Day” event. This event was done in partnership with the Marana Police Department.

The Marana Parks and Recreation Special Interest Division operates a senior program with approximately 450 members. These members wanted to show their gratitude to the Marana Police Department for their protection and service to the community. Under staff guidance, the members planned, organized, and implemented a Marana Police Department Appreciation Day. 

This innovative program created an interactive experience for both senior members and police officers. The final event incorporated a sit-and-share luncheon, ‘notes of gratitude’ snack bags, and a police station tour. The theme was built around appreciation with a goal to foster connections between officers and the senior community and to reinforce the positive working relationship between Marana Parks and Recreation and the Marana Police Department. Staff from both departments worked together to distribute invitations, book the location, and coordinate the police facility tours. Parks and Recreation staff prepared to-go lunches and MPD Staff transported them to those working offsite. All leftovers were placed in the MPD break room for those working swing shifts. 

Both senior members and Marana Police Department staff were appreciative of the work done by Marana Parks and Recreation. Marana Parks and Recreation team’s ability to work with outside organizations and interdepartmentally showcases the strength, adaptability, ingenuity, and thoughtfulness mirrored by so many parks and recreation organizations. 

In addition to the Outstanding Program Award, Marana Parks and Recreation also won the Outstanding Program Award for their Aquatics Program, and Recreation Superintendent Corey Larriva received the President’s Award.

about the awards

The Arizona Parks and Recreation Association Awards Committee receives approximately 100+ nominations each year.  All nominations are carefully reviewed by a panel of APRA members and industry professionals from around the State of Arizona. The Outstanding Program Award recognizes organizations, institutions, or agencies for development, implementation, or coordination fo the most outstanding programs.