The Michigan Parks and Recreation Association, known as mParks, announced the Sterling Heights City Council has been named the mParks 2017 Local Elected Official of the Year for its “enthusiastic support in promoting Parks and Recreation Services.”
The award was decided by the mParks Professional Recognition Committee and Public Policy Committee. In the letter to the Sterling Heights Mayor and Council acknowledging their receipt of this year’s award, the committee highlighted the Council’s exemplary “leadership, commitment and supportive involvement in the recreation, education and service to the community.”
Sterling Heights is home to 26 neighborhood and 5 major parks. In 2016, voters approved a $45 million parks and recreation initiative dubbed “Recreating Recreation” to improve existing parks and add an incredible number of recreation amenities. The new amenities include a splash pad, farmers market pavilion, refrigerated ice rink, skate park, dog park, new amphitheatre, canoe and kayak livery, a mini turf soccer field and more. Construction began in 2017 and is expected to be completed by 2019, weather permitting.
Mayor Michael C. Taylor said he and the City Council are humbled and thrilled to receive the award from the Michigan Parks and Recreation Association.
“Over the past few years, the Sterling Heights City Council made a strong commitment to improving and focusing on our parks and green spaces,” Taylor said. “We know that investments in parks is not only a benefit for residents who want to enjoy a sense of place, but also a strong economic investment for our city. The City Council and I also want to thank the residents of Sterling Heights for their support of Recreating Recreation. Without their support, we wouldn’t be seeing the incredible upgrades taking place all over our city right now.”
Members of the Sterling Heights City Council will be attending the mParks Annual Conference and Trade Show to receive the award in front of all attendees at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7 in the Ambassador Ballroom at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. Media interested in attending can contact mParks directly or Community Relations Director Bridget Kozlowski at (586) 446-2471 or email bkoz@sterling-heights.net to arrange for photos or interviews.
Learn more about the City’s Recreating Recreation plan and follow along the construction timeline by going to www.sterling-heights.net/recreatingrecreation.