Paducah Parks & Recreation and Paducah’s Communications Manager were honored at the Kentucky Recreation & Parks Society's annual conference by receiving the Facility Award - Class IV for the Southside Community Garden and the Communication Award. These awards acknowledge the City of Paducah’s commitment to providing outstanding recreational opportunities and engaging the community.
Last night at the Kentucky Recreation & Parks Society’s (KRPS) annual conference held this year at General Butler State Resort Park, KRPS honored Paducah Parks & Recreation with the Outstanding Facility Award - Class IV for the Southside Community Garden and the Communication Award presented to City of Paducah Communications Manager Pam Spencer.
“The KRPS Annual Conference is always a special time to connect with others who are passionate about parks and recreation across Kentucky,” said Paducah City Manager Daron Jordan. “It means a great deal to see the Paducah Parks & Recreation team honored with two meaningful awards—one for our ongoing efforts to revitalize the Southside and the other recognizing our Communications Manager’s outstanding work in keeping our community informed and engaged. These awards reflect the heart and hard work of our entire team, the steady support from our Mayor and City Commissioners, and the strong bond we share with the people of Paducah.”
KRPS classes, which range from one through four, are based upon the size of the department with Class IV as the category for a department with 20 or more full-time employees.
The Outstanding Facility Award focuses on the Southside Community Garden, a collaboration among the City of Paducah, local churches, volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and community groups. The community celebrated the garden with a ribbon cutting and planting event earlier this year in April. Paducah Parks and Recreation worked to secure a vacant city-owned property for the project and prepare the site for planting with raised garden beds, water access, and picnic tables.
“The Southside Community Garden will impact neighborhood residents for years to come with fresh produce and a location to engage with fellow residents while learning about sustainable garden practices,” said Director of Paducah Parks & Recreation Amie Clark. “The top objectives for this project were to help alleviate food insecurities and to assist in the revitalization of the Southside by repurposing a vacant lot. Paducah Parks & Recreation is honored to be part of an important project that brought a strong sense of purpose to our staff.”
Also at the annual conference, KRPS recognized City of Paducah Communications Manager Pam Spencer with the Communication Award.
“In her 18 years with City government, Pam has played a significant role in raising awareness in all that Paducah Parks & Recreation does for our community,” added Clark. “As the City’s Communications Manager, she has been a valuable colleague and helped advance the mission of the Parks and Recreation Department. Her proactive approach helps us foster a strong connection with the community leading to increased participation and support for our programs and services. This recognition is a way to thank Pam for the work she does each and every day.”
For more information, visit Kentucky Recreation & Parks Society.
Picture 1 (Facility Award – left to right): Assistant Director of Recreation Taylor Morsching, Recreation Specialist Drake Stepter, Recreation Specialist Kennedy Kirks, Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Adams, Director of Parks and Recreation Amie Clark, Paducah City Manager Daron Jordan, KRPS President Cameron Levis, and KRPS Executive Director Patrick Manning
Picture 2 (Communication Award – left to right): KRPS President Cameron Levis, Paducah Communications Manager Pam Spencer, and KRPS Executive Director Patrick Manning
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