Carson City Parks and Recreation Community Service Awards ceremony set for Wednesday

The Foundation for Carson City Parks and Recreation will present Community Service Awards for year 2018 recipients in a brief ceremony on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. at the monument at the entrance to the Marv Teixeira Pavilion in Mills Park.

The public is invited to attend this free, outdoor event. An Open House reception at the Wungnema House, the stone house on the east end of Mills Park, will follow the ceremony. The awards are presented to individuals, organizations, and businesses that make a significant contribution to the combined missions of the Foundation and the Carson City Department of Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces (Parks Department). Three awards will be presented this year:

Volunteer of the Years: Donna Kuester DePauw - Donna was a member of the Parks & Recreation Commission (also Vice Chair). She was asked by Supervisor Smith in 1998 to join the Commission and then, after Question 18 passed, Supervisor Livermore asked her to return. Starting in 1992, she was also a member of the Shade Tree Council and served as both Chairperson and Vice Chair. Donna has always had a passion for her community. She learned about parks and trees to increase her knowledge so she could participate in the workings of the two commissions.

She did not just sit on these commissions but was an active member. Donna has lived in Carson City since 1986. Donna was very active in the passage of Question 18. Over the years Donna has supported and promoted trees, parks and recreation programs to ensure that the citizens of Carson City enjoy a beautiful community and a great quality of life.

Organization of the Year: The Eagle Valley Disc Golf Association - The Association is an advocates group volunteering to design and provide labor to construct the new Disc Golf complex and to maintain it. In early 2015 the Carson City Board of Supervisors set aside 100 acres west of Flint Drive and Rifle Range Road for a disc golf course complex. This complex, which is scheduled to open around September, will start with a 9-hole beginner-friendly short course and a full 18-hole championship course. Later, a second championship course will be added, totaling 45-holes across three courses.

A 50-space parking lot and a storage facility at the complex have been constructed and shaded picnic area will be available. Courses have been designed and are being constructed according to recognized standards. The Association raises funds from our local community for disc baskets, tee box materials, hole signage, parking, and sanitation services. The Association, through its affiliation with FCCPR, accepts tax-deductible donations towards its project.

Business of the Year: Southwest Gas - Southwest Gas has made a significant contribution to the Disc Golf Project. They made a monetary donation to the project and donated scrap metal and materials that were fabricated and used on the disc golf course construction.

Southwest Gas is committed to improving the quality of life in the cities and towns they serve. Their employee volunteer team BLUE (Building Lives Up Everywhere) meets throughout the year to identify volunteer opportunities for Southwest Gas employees and their families. BLUE fosters a culture of service that inspires their employees to give back to their communities and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Recent BLUE partners include Advocates to End Domestic Violence, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Sugar Pine Foundation, Canine Rehabilitation Center and Sanctuary, and Richards Crossing Transitional Housing Center. Southwest Gas was the title sponsor of Carson City's 2017 BOO-nanza community Halloween party. Last year they teamed up with the Carson City Library and the Parks Dept. to host a BOO-nanza with trick or treating, STEAM activities, a costume contest, spooky decorations, and a movie! The event was held at the Community Center, Library, and Aquatic Facility, and was a free, safe, and spooky environment for children to participate in Halloween fun. They are pleased to be the title sponsor of BOO-nanza in 2018.

Each recipient's name will be placed on the monument in Mills Park. The selection of award recipients is a cooperative effort between the Parks Department and the Foundation. In addition, the names of Robert Curtis, Scott Atchian, Dierdra Bugli, and Bill Lowrey will be added to the Wall of Memory. For more information, call David Bugli at 775-883-4154.