2025 Annual Awards

2025 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.

Media Award
Active Adult Program
Adaptive Program
Aquatics Program
Cultural Awareness Program
Educational Program
Sports Program
Youth Enrichment Program

Outstanding Media Award - Indian Bend Wash Celebration, Scottsdale

Outstanding Active Adult Program - Senior Olympic Festival, Tuscon

Outstanding Adaptive Program - Sensory Bags, Gilbert

Outstanding Aquatic Program - WaveFest, Avondale

Outstanding Cultural Program - Global Village Festival, Gilbert

Outstanding Educational Program - Nature, Outdoors, & More, Prescott Valley

Outstanding Sports Program - Ajo Sports Program, Pima County

Outstanding Youth Enrichment - City of Chandler

Outstanding Special Event Winners

Three special events will be awarded based on the following population categories:

25,000 or Less
25,000 - 100,000
100,001 or more

Irish Fountain Fest, Fountain Hills | Populations Under 25k

Winterfest, Sahuarita | Populations 25-100k

Merry Main Street, Mesa| Population Over 100k

Outstanding Facility Winners

These awards recognize the organizations, institutions, or agencies for the development, implementation or coordination of the most outstanding facilities. Facilities must have been running within 18 months of the submission date.

Three special events will be awarded based on the following population categories:

25,000 or Less
25,000 - 100,000
100,001 or more

Historic Ranger Station, Sedona | Population under 25k

Painted Sky Park, Apache Junction | Population 25-100k

Desert Camp Community Center, DC Ranch | Popuation Over 100k

Natural Resources Award - South Mountain Visitor Center, Phoenix

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.

Partnership Award - Solid Rock Teen Center, Goodyear

These awards recognize collaborations between public and/or private groups or agencies that have made significant contributions in the field of parks, recreation, and cultural services. Nominations should highlight innovative, impactful, or successful joint efforts completed within the past 18 months.

Individual Awards

These awards recognize outstanding parks and recreation professionals for their dedication, innovation, and exceptional contributions to their field. Honorees demonstrate leadership, creativity, and a commitment to enhancing community programs, services, and experiences.