Caption lakeblue: Winners of a circuit cycling race took the podium last March at the inaugural South Mountain Bike and Run Classic, benefiting the Phoenix Parks Foundation.
The department moved aggressively in 2012 to solidify its relationship with the Phoenix Parks Foundation and other community partners and expand its volunteer network. The efforts paid off with two highly successful fundraising events that netted more than $60,000 for the Foundation and enabled it to restart the mini grant program for department staff, and support both the PAC afterschool program and desert preserve trail maintenance fund. The first event was the South Mountain Bike and Run Classic, a competitive cycling and running event through the roadways of the park/preserve. Cyclists competed in a series of circuits. Winners of one circuit are pictured at left. Runners ran the summit in a challenging 5-mile hill climb.
Caption lakeblue:These volunteers worked at a project last spring to spruce up the main parking are of the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area.
At the Moon Over South Mountain Dinner, the Foundation raised tens of thousands while honoring community partners that have been crucial to the department's mission. Honorees at the inaugural dinner included the Phoenix Mountains Preservation Council, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and former Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimsza.
CIGNA again made a lot easier for kids to cool off and stay active during our long hot summers. They again sponsored the Kool Kids program in 2012, which made it possible for kids ages 17 and under to swim for free at many city pools. The Kool Kids program gets it greatest sponsorship boost each spring with the Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland A's square off in their annual charity Spring Training game.
Volunteers continued to make a huge impact in city parks, preserves and recreation facilities in 2012 when more 6,200 contributed nearly 60,000 hours of work. Learn more about volunteering in Phoenix parks and recreation facilities.
