Summer Giveaway to Headline Parks and Recreation Month in Yuma

06/26/2012 | Dave Nash, Public Affairs Coordinator

Yuma, Ariz. - Yuma will start celebrating National Parks and Recreation Month a little early this year - and by its end, area residents will have a chance to win a kayak trip, a round of golf, a night at the theater or a pool party.

Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation's official Park and Recreation Month. This year's theme is "Get Wild," featuring everything from wild workouts and wellness to getting wet and wild at the pool or even wild with nature.

National Parks and Recreation Month kicks off a little early in Yuma with the grand re-opening of Kennedy Skate Park at 7p.m Friday, June 29. The skate park, 23rd Street and Kennedy Lane, has been under construction while new skate park equipment donated to the City of Yuma by Destiny Christian Church was being installed. The new attractions will make for a great night of free fun.

Then everyone will want to be at Gateway Park at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30, for the free screening of "Hugo." The Academy Award-winning film is presented free of charge through the generosity of Bill Alexander's Flight-Line Mazda Mitsubishi.

"The role of Parks and Recreation in our community is that of an essential public service that provides and maintains open space with shade and clean air, opportunities for youth to learn and grow, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, as well as clean, secure public spaces for gatherings and celebrations," said City of Yuma Parks and Recreation Director Becky Chavez. "We invite all of our friends, families and neighbors to take part in all that we have to offer."

A special Parks and Recreation Month event calendar of activities and event ideas is available for free in the City Hall lobby now through the end of July.

While at City Hall, visitors may view Then and Now - A Reflection, a series of framed photographs and newspaper articles that juxtaposes Parks and Recreation events, facilities and milestones of the past with their place in the present.

To top it all off, free prizes are up for grabs in the Yuma Plays Summer Giveaway. The Yuma Plays Summer Giveaway invites one representative per household to enter to win one of four great prizes including a kayak trip for 12 down the Colorado River; an "It Had To Be You" theater package for four; a Desert Hills golf package for four; or a pool party for 12 at the Valley Aquatic Center.

Persons 21 and older may fill out an entry form, which can be found only be in the lobby of Yuma City Hall, One City Plaza (3rd Street between 1st Avenue and Madison Avenue), during regular business hours now until the drawing date of July 31. Winners need not be present and will be notified (hint - it helps to properly fill out your entry form and make it legible!). Prizes are not transferable. No purchase necessary. Entries limited to one per household, please. Additional rules may apply.

Yuma Parks and Recreation is dedicated to creating community through people, parks, and programs. For more information on activities, facilities, and programs please visit our website at www.YumaAZ.gov, call us at 373-5243, email us at parksandrec@YumaAZ.gov or find us on Facebook at City of Yuma Parks and Recreation.