It is refreshing to hear an organization is financially sound in
these “unsound” times.
Recently, the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District was
the recipient of many prestigious awards for 2008, and is in the
black financially.
South Suburban provides Lone Tree residents with an array of
activities, programs and events throughout the year for all ages,
levels and interests.
Included in the awards was a certificate of achievement for
excellence in financial reporting from the Government Finance
Officers Association. This is the seventh time that South Suburban
has been awarded the recognition.
“I think this is important to the public when you are managing
taxpayers money,” said Steve Shipley, manager of finance for South
Suburban. Formally a certified public accountant, Shipley worked
for local governments preparing audits.
“For me, that was auditing somebody else’s books, and I feel
like now they are my books, and I take pride as a citizen in doing
a good job,” Shipley said. He also said that the award was possible
because of the board and the financial staff that’s in place.
Awards were given to South Suburban by numerous diverse
organizations from banking to tennis. The Bud Robineaux Award from
the Colorado Tennis Association was awarded to South Suburban’s
head tennis professional, Mike Hall for his contributions to the
Colorado tennis community.
A complete renovation of the tennis facility at the Lone Tree
Golf Club and Hotel is an example of the strong partnership between
the city of Lone Tree and South Suburban, “and important for the
public to understand,” Shipley said.
The recognition from these organizations provides assurance to
local taxpayers that top-notch practices are being used by the
South Suburban management and that clear vision and direction is
being established by the board of directors.
The 41.5-square-mile South Suburban district includes Bow Mar,
Columbine Valley, Littleton, Lone Tree, Sheridan, the western half
of the City of Centennial, portions of unincorporated Douglas
County — including Wildcat Ridge and Acres Green—and Arapahoe
County west of Interstate 25 and a small area in Jefferson
County.
SSPRD awards
Columbine Award in the Administrative Management Category from
Colorado Parks and Recreation Association for “The Combine,” an
innovative hiring procedure.
2008 PRIDE Award from the Printing and Imaging Association of
the Mountain States for South Suburban’s 2008 Parks, Trails and
Facilities Map.
Gold Award in the Collaboration Category from the Denver
Regional Council of Governments for “South Platte Greenway:
Expanding an Urban Oasis.”
Two Starburst Community Awards in the Large Community Category
(serving 60,000 and more people) from the Colorado Lottery
Columbine Award in the Education Category from the Colorado
Parks and Recreation Association
Management Practice Award from Learning Resources Network, Inc.
for the 2007 Annual Report.
Finalist for a Gold Medal Award in the Class II Population
Category (100,001-250,000 one of four finalists in this category
nationwide), by the American Academy for Parks and Recreation
Administration, in partnership with the National Recreation and
Parks Association for excellence in overall management.
Honors
