A vision for excellence - parks and recreation management in Aurora CO

Parks & Recreation, Jan, 2004

As one may imagine, competition for sports-and-leisure supremacy is fierce in a state perhaps more renowned for its wealth of outdoor and recreational opportunities. But Aurora (pop. 291,000), a boomtown just east of Denver, demonstrates the sort of versatility, natural features and enthusiasm that characterizes an ideal Sportstown.

Citizen volunteers developed and opened Aurora's first park in 1926. It is doubtful they could have imagined what their project helped catalyze. Aurora has more than 100 parks and 6,000 miles of open space within its municipal boundaries, The parks include amenities that vary from picnic shelters to recreational sports fields, while the open spaces offer residents and visitors The opportunity to experience nature and the outdoors in an undisturbed, rural setting.

What keeps the ball rolling in Aurora is a level of integrative collaboration rarely seen even in the highly cooperative sphere of parks and recreation. No one entity can serve the sporting needs of this rapidly growing community. The city of Aurora includes two departments that work closely together with the aim of providing recreational opportunities to all its citizens: the Parks and Open Space Department, which designs, creates and maintains parks and sports facilities, relying on the vision of the public in so doing; and the Department of Library and Recreation Services, which works directly with parents, coaches, participants, schools and Independent Youth Sport Organizations (IYSOs) to design and implement sports programs. The city has formed partnerships with 10 IYSOs, which in turn work with two school districts. Together, these organizations help ensure fair and efficient allocation of city recreation facilities.

In a city with vision, recreation means more than just providing for its locals. Aurora hosts local, regional and even international sports tournaments that pour close to $10 million annually into The city's economy. For example, the city hosted the 2003 Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Men's Masters 40-Over Slow Pitch National Championship, which brought more than 40 teams to the region.

The city of Aurora Recreation Division was formed in 1952. From the outset, its emphasis has been on adult and youth sports programs, with a credo of "participation for all, a fun and safe environment, fundamental skills, sportsmanship and camaraderie." That spirit still exists a half century later, when residents from toddlers to the elderly--including those with special needs--can partake of the countless recreational opportunities afforded by the city. Programs are tailored to meet the age-based needs of participants; children are taught strength, flexibility, coordination, fitness and spatial awareness as well as the value of sportsmanship, while adults benefit from much-needed exercise, emotional release, stress reduction, socialization and fun.

Aurora's cooperative and progressive spirit was never more evident than in 1998, when elected officials, citizens and youth sports organizations partnered to provide cash contributions and hours of campaigning to pass a bond issue that resulted in the creation of the Aurora Sports Park, a 212-acre facility with 23 soccer fields, 12 softball/baseball fields, open space and a plan to add a tournament baseball field, two practice/t-ball fields and batting cages in the future. The machinations of Aurora's recreation leadership have resulted in the availability of more than 9,000 recreation programs every year.

The city's leisure Web site, www.auroragov.org/leisure, offers the opportunity to browse recreation program schedules and register for classes online. In addition, the site provides extensive information on Aurora's seven municipal golf courses, brochures detailing programs for seniors (50-and-older residents), upcoming tournaments, maps of city parks and trails, locations of picnic shelters, listings of special events and sports programs.

The city of Aurora provides a comprehensive slate of programs for its residents--not only the traditional competitive sports, but crafts, cooking, fitness, sports, tennis, swimming, performing arts, visual arts, senior adult recreation and services, elderly day care, outdoor recreation, therapeutic recreation, racquetball, teen scene, youth school breaks and summer playground programs, preschool, computers and finance, dog training, dance, volleyball, history museum, miniature golf, gymnastics and youth prevention services.