12-13-2011 South Bend Park Department Recognized as Best in State

Home Browse Search

IPRA Awards Committee 3210 N Campbell St. Valparaiso,In 46385 October 27,2011 Dear Committee, The South Bend Parks and Recreation Department has been a strong part of the success of the City of South Bend. The services that this department has offered for generations have brought incredible benefit to the citizens of this community. It was my privilege as the former mayor of South Bend to be able to hire the current Executive Director,Mr. St. Clair,and to assist in the formation of the current Parks and Recreation Department as it operates today. In my role as Governor I was able to continue to see the role this parks dept played in the success of the city. Over the recent years of operation,this agency has developed and stretched itself to earn and maintain the very highest standards of professional accreditation,become a very active partner in community building within the city,and been selected to be at the forefront of national research initiatives into health and wellness. In just this past year,the South Bend Parks and Recreation Department has been selected as a beta-site for the development of the Healthy Communities Management and Surveillance Project through I.U.'s HyPR school,launched a Park Foundation,initiated a new website and online registration presence,instituted a city-wide Graffiti Abatement program and created a brand new community-wide music festival for the support of a special-needs park for the region. I have been proud to have been a part of the success of this parks and recreation agency as they continue to raise the bar on serving our community and pursuing excellence within the industries' movement nationwide, I would ask for your serious consideration of the South Bend Parks and Recreation Department as the Outstanding Agency for 2011. Sincerely Joseph E Keman GOVERNOR JOE KERNAN 114 EAST POKAGON • SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 46617