PROCLAMATION:
Whereas, National Parks and Recreation Month is celebrated in July, recognizing that parks and recreation build stronger, healthier, more resilient communities, and Pasadena’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department promotes physical, social, emotional, and mental wellness through organized fitness, play, activities, and special events, such as youth sports, adult recreational classes, summer day camp, arts and crafts, aquatics, and Parks After Dark; and
Whereas, Parks and Recreation supports the economic vitality of Pasadena by providing jobs, workforce development for local youth and young adults through the Youth Ambassador and ROSE Intern programs; and
Whereas, Parks and Recreation fosters social cohesiveness by celebrating cultural diversity through Juneteenth, the Latino Heritage and Black History parades and festivals, hosting community events for Pride Month and Older Americans Month, sponsoring adaptive and inclusive recreation programming and hosting the annual Adaptive Sports Festival, celebrating seasonal events such as Dia de los Muertos, Egg Bowl, and the holiday toy and food giveaways, and provides gathering spaces, promotes social equity and ensures all people have access to its benefits; and
Whereas, Parks and Recreation sustains and stewards our natural resources by protecting habitats and open space in the Arroyo Seco, maintaining parks, and promoting the ecological function of parkland and open spaces;
Now, Therefore I, Victor M. Gordo, Mayor of the City of Pasadena, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim the month of July, 2026 in Pasadena as National Parks and Recreation Month, Parks Make Life Better Month, and July 17, 2026 as Park and Recreation Professionals Day to acknowledge the importance of park and recreation professionals and the benefits they provide to our community.