APRA Annual Awards
Our Annual Awards honor communities throughout the State of Arizona that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management and innovative approaches to delivering superb park and recreation services with fiscally sound business practices.
The APRA Award Program includes twenty-one categories. At the beginning of each October, agencies are invited to submit applications for consideration. Award winning recipients are announced at the ARPA Annual Conference.
A committee of park and recreation professionals reviews and scores all application materials. Committee members are chosen for their considerable experience and knowledge in the field parks and recreation on both local and national levels.
Looking for past winners? Browse through winners going back to 2006. Should you find an error or have documentation prior to 2006 please email jsullivan@apachejunctionaz.gov.
2024 Annual Award Winners
Outstanding Program Winners
These awards recognize the organizations, institutions, or agencies for the development, implementation or coordination of the most outstanding programs. Programs must have been within 18 months of the submission date.
- Adaptive Program
- Active Adult 50+ Program
- Aquatics Program
- Cultural Awareness Program
- Educational Program
- Sports Program
- Youth Enrichment
- Community or Neighborhood Special Event – All Populations
Outstanding Media Award - Town of Marana
Outstanding Active Adult - City of Casa Grande
Outstanding Adaptive - City of Chandler
Outstanding Aquatic - Pima County
Outstanding Cultural - City of Goodyear
Outstanding Educational - Town of Oro Valley
Outstanding Sports - City of Apache Junction
Outstanding Youth Enrichment - City of Chandler
Outstanding Special Event Winners
These awards recognize the organizations, institutions, or agencies for the development, implementation or coordination of the most outstanding programs. Programs must have been within 18 months of the submission date.
Three special events will be awarded based on the following population categories:
- 25,000 or Less
- 25,001 - 100,000
- 100,001 or More
Town of Morenci | Populations Under 25k
Town of Marana | Populations 25-100k
City of Tempe | Populations 100k & Over
Natural Resources Award - City of Scottsdale
This award recognizes significant, innovative, and successful contributions of an agency toward quality of services within the area of park facilities and natural resource acquisitions, development, maintenance, and operations. This includes physical resources, equipment, or personnel with special attention to environmental awareness. Program, project or facility must be completed by the time of submission and not more than 18 months prior.
