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On behalf of the Board of Park Commissioners and the staff of the South <br /> Bend Park and Recreation Department, I am pleased to submit our 2010 <br /> highlights. <br /> Attendance and/ or participation at park and recreation facilities in 2010 <br /> totaled over 900,000. This does not include the thousands of people who <br /> use the park's open spaces and trails as part of their everyday life in our <br /> city. <br /> Although dollars for parks were limited, the department succeeded in <br /> getting many programs, upgrades and repairs accomplished throughout the <br /> city park system. <br /> Looking for resources outside the norm, we focused on additional <br /> opportunities. <br /> We felt there were four components that were critical to the overall success <br /> of the Parks and Recreation Department in 2010. Partnerships, grants, <br /> volunteers, and creative "in house" solutions were all examined. These <br /> four resources became our focus and ultimately proved very successful <br /> strategies that helped the Parks and Recreation Department move forward <br /> in 2010. <br /> Good partnerships are absolutely essential to run an effective and <br /> sustainable Parks and Recreation Department. Beginning with the <br /> Potawatomi Zoo, the opening of the new Otter's exhibit was made possible <br /> solely through the efforts of the Potawatomi Zoological Society. This new <br /> state of the art facility is now home to four very adventurous and playful <br /> Otters. An official grand opening of the Otters exhibit will take place next <br /> spring at the zoo. <br /> New births at the zoo created a lot of excitement as well for zoo patrons in <br /> 2010. The births of three Amur Leopards Cubs, three Red Panda Cubs, one <br /> Southern Hornbill Chick, one Sichuan Takin, and one White- Naped Crane <br /> where very significant as these animals are part of the World Wide Species <br /> Survival Plan ( SSP ) implemented by the Accredited zoo's in the United <br /> States. The Potawatomi Zoo personnel have been hard at work rearing <br /> these young animals and insuring their survival during the most vulnerable <br /> time. The zoo staff should be commended for their efforts regarding the <br /> - 5 - <br />