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SOUTH BEND ^Alp <br /> PARKS RHO RECREATION <br /> NEWS RELEASE <br /> December 13, 2011 <br /> Contact. Phil St, Clair, Executive Director, 574 299 4765 <br /> Mark Bradley, Director of Marketing, 574,299,4768 ext 240 <br /> South Bend Park Department Recognized as Best in State <br /> SOUTH BEND, Indiana — The Indiana Parks & Recreation Association has announced <br /> that the South Bend Parks & Recreation Department has been awarded the designation <br /> of Outstanding Agency of the Year. This is the first time the association has determined <br /> this award, which will be presented at the annual I.P.R.A. state conference in January. <br /> The designation comes on the heals of the Department's announcement this year of <br /> having been chosen to participate in a national study, the Healthy Communities <br /> Research Initiative, which is a program driven by Greenplay, LLC, GPRed and Indiana <br /> University. <br /> What makes this award more exciting is that South Bend is one of three Indiana <br /> communities which have earned the C.A.P.R.A. (Commission for Accreditation of Parks <br /> and Recreation Agencies) designation. The accreditation by C.A.P.R.A. means the <br /> South Bend Parks & Recreation Department is among the top 1% of all park agencies in <br /> the United States. <br /> "Every day, our citizens use and enjoy our city's parks - from neighborhood parks, golf <br /> courses and recreation centers to riverwalks, the conservatory, and community jewels <br /> like the East Race Waterway, Potawatomi Zoo and Coveleski stadium. This first-ever <br /> recognition by the Indiana Parks & Recreation Association shows that our city parks' <br /> administration and programs are unsurpassed in their operations - a model of good <br /> government," said Mayor Stephen J. Luecke. "Whether it's fitness programs, camps and <br /> youth activities or softball at the Belleville Sports Complex, South Bend Parks and <br /> Recreation has enhanced our quality of life and contributed to our community's overall <br /> health. I'm proud of the work of the many staff that made this achievement possible." <br /> - more - <br />