City of Tempe issued the following announcement on Dec. 17.
The City of Tempe’s Parks & Recreation team has been given the Arizona Parks & Recreation Association’s Best of the Best Outstanding Program Award for its Active Adult 50+ Program, demonstrating the city’s commitment to serving the community throughout the pandemic.
According to AARP, older adults were disproportionately affected during the COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020, with almost half feeling unmotivated and more than 35% feeling sadder than normal. The inability to see family and friends left so many older adults lonely, isolated and without opportunities to connect. Tempe’s Parks & Recreation team knew something had to be done to help. They developed an array of virtual options that participants could enjoy from the safety of their homes.
The award recognizes the city’s efforts to convert dozens of in-person programs into virtual options, including dance, art, technology instruction, cooking classes and social events. Staff and community partners also coordinated drive-through and home-delivered meal deliveries to those in need. These programs helped hundreds of older adults reconnect to friends and stay active during quarantine. City staff also developed safe ways to provide COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and food distributions to older adults, who are at the highest risk of complications from the virus.
A video highlighting the award-winning program can be seen here.
The City of Tempe operates four senior centers including Pyle Adult Recreation Center, Cahill Senior Center and senior centers located within the Escalante and North Tempe multi-generational centers. Dozens of programs are available for adults 50+ ranging from exercise and fitness to arts and crafts to Bingo.
Original source can be found here.
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