Community Services
ANNUAL REPORT July 1, 2019- June 30, 2020
OUR MISSION
We are dedicated to enriching the quality of life and creating memorable experiences for all generations.
97 acres
8
public facilities
42
full time employees
137
part time & seasonal employees
313,239 visitors at skyline regional park
13,643 volunteer hours
OUR CULTURE
We are empowered, passionate employees who love what we do and have fun doing it.
OUR VISION
We are vital to Buckeye being a desired community.
Community Services Department became reaccredited through the National Recreation and Parks Association after a rigorous process that shows Buckeye is one of the best Parks and Recreation agencies in the Country by following industry standards and best practices for the provision of parks, recreation facilities, programs, and services.
BUCKEYE’S PANDEMIC RESPONSE
City quickly adjusted to continue providing services during COVID-19 shut down.
Being Active at Home might not always mean physically active, it could mean active in the search for resources to assist your family, neighbor, friend or someone else in the community through everyday life or the challenges that have come with COVID-19. Community Services Department provided a wealth of local information to assist the community through it all.
ARTS & CRAFTS
45
Arts & Craft Videos
141
Summer Camp in a Bag City of Buckeye Recreation offered bags for resident and non-residents ages 3-14 years old. Each week had a new theme with activities (Superhero, Water Safety, STEM & Education)
Weekly Bingo on Facebook Live 13 posts with a combined reach* of
6,337 3,565 3,010 Total of
views and
engagements** Silver Sneakers on Facebook Live A weekly 30-minute live exercise routine targeting range of motion, balance, stability and cardio. 11 posts with a combined reach* of
2,660 Total of
1,968 385 views and
engagements**
ACTIVE AT HOME
Community
SENIORS
* Overall Reach (people that have seen this content) **Overall Engagements (people that like, comment or share this content)
SENIORS Wellness Minutes
ACTIVE AT HOME
Daily, Monday through Friday, 2-10 minute videos focusing on health and well-being. Some videos demonstrate exercises while others focus on a topic such as “What is heat stroke, heat exhaustion” 28 unique videos shared on 58 posts with a combined reach* of
8,238 Total of
3,481 428
FITNESS
21,513
Virtual workout participants.
51
virtual fitness workouts
LIBRARY
Virtual Programming
35,224
minutes of virtual programming were viewed between March and June. In just 5 weeks of No-Contact Pickup service, the library served
SPORTS
980 5,166
Coaches instruction videos
During the closure of library buildings, the library circulated
views and
engagements**
20
Spring sports were canceled, but that doesn't mean sports activities had to stop. The Recreation division created videos to keep the drive alive and provide continued skill development for all ages to stay Active at Home.
* Overall Reach (people that have seen this content) **Overall Engagements (people that like, comment or share this content)
visitors and checked out items.
10,985
e-books. This is a 75% increase over the previous year. During the Summer Reading Program, the library distributed
1,000
Grab and Go STEAM activity kits that included free books and supplies for educational activities supported by weekly instructional videos.
“I am very happy with everything the center does for every one of us.”
SENIOR CENTER
"Very good staff --- friendly, courteous, funny, very caring."
Over
29,800
meals served to older adults and homebound clients
“Thank you all for being so nice and caring to my dad."
"The staff are very courteous and the services are excellent."
14,465
home delivered meals served
15,399
congregate meals served
56,613 "I think it's a fantastic center. The people and staff are great, helpful, informative and professional. There's no other center like it!"
miles driven for medical, home delivered meals & transportation
4,534
older adults provided with transportation services
1,700
hours worked by senior volunteers
1,680
participants in Silver Sneakers exercise program
185
participants in Eat, Paint, Repeat
1,204
participants utilized the exercise room and fitness equipment
7,355
center connection newsletters published or distributed; reaching an average of 600 seniors per month
Senior Center Accomplishments in FY20 • New Renovations: New flooring installed in common areas at the Senior Center and the restrooms were remodeled.
• Facility Sealed: Senior Center exterior walls that were below grade were resealed and waterproofed to prevent water from leaking into the building.
• Facility Renamed: The facility was officially renamed Buckeye Senior Center to better reflect the programs and services offered at the facility. Over the years, the facility has been used for a variety of city operations; however it has shifted to focus on senior services for older adults throughout the community. • New Bus: Partnered with Area Agency on Aging to secure funding for a new ADA bus for senior trips and medical appointments. • Trip Fundraising: Seniors raised $20,000 to travel to Universal Studios.
• Popular Programming: Offered popular programs, such as Putting on the Ritz and Talent No Talent, with higher than average attendance.
“Thank you ladies for bringing smiles to my kids’ faces with Storytime.”
LIBRARY DIVISION
Virtual Storytime
625
program sessions
202,271
“We love our story time! Thank you all for doing this for the kids!”
total circulation
Summer Reading Program “Thank You for the Grab and Go STEAM activity kits! The kids were so excited to see them and even more excited to start earning prizes!”
“Thank you so much for this! My 5-year-old enjoyed watching so much, she loves Pete the Cat.”
“Hello! You guys are great, my kids really enjoy watching the weekly online Storytime.”
113,721 library visits
35,372 cardholders
163,838 items circulated
38,433
digital checkouts and downloads
Library Accomplishments in FY20
5
LLCs formed
14,622 program attendees
3,361
volunteer hours served
2,560
library app installs
Community Partnerships: The Friends of the Buckeye Public Library purchased a Portable Video-conference Station for programming within the library for a value of $5,340 and provided funding for 1,000 Summer Reading Grab and Go STEAM activity kits and books and supplies at $6,270 New Book Drops Installed: New book drop installed at the Downtown Library and a larger replacement book drop installed at the Coyote Branch Library to enhance customer service.
2020
EON attendees
2019
1,176
2018
computer usage (sessions)
Expansion of Digital Museum: Digitally archived 614 historic photos as part of an ongoing grant partnership with the Buckeye Elks Lodge and the Buckeye Valley Museum.
25,000
2017
32,963
50,000
2016
wifi usage (sessions)
Grants Awarded: $30,090 was awarded to the library for audiobooks, laptops, business development material and more.
75,000
2015
90,120
eBook Access Expansion: 2.4 million dollars in eBooks added at no cost to the city through strategic partnerships with other libraries in Arizona. This increased titles available from 15,000 to 72,000.
• New Home for Parks Staff: Parks staff moved to remodeled facility at Heritage Park on Miller Road to provide needed work space and storage for equipment and supplies that will enhance operations and efficiencies. • New Scoreboard: New replacement scoreboard installed at southeast field at Earl Edgar Recreational Facility, using funds provided by Buckeye Little League. • New Landscaping at Rec Center: Renovated landscaping in front of Recreation Center to reduce water use and enhance appearance. Project was done in house saving the City $4,800. • Eagle Scout Partnerships: Parks partnered with Eagle Scouts that resulted in 500 volunteer hours with assistance for trail maintenance and ramada painting.
PARK & TRAIL MAINTENANCE
Parks Accomplishments
1,026
COVID-19 inspections
2,683.85 acres mowed
865
fields prepped
565.53 miles hiked to maintain skyline
92
staff classes and trainings
478
fields, campsite and ramada rentals
PARK & TRAIL MAINTENANCE
8,675
acres of open space
228.33 miles of trails inspected 32 times
500
volunteer hours
136,191 vehicles at Skyline
313,191 visitors at Skyline
• Aquatic Center Improvements: Repairs made to the Aquatic Center such as re-tiling, painting, and ADA enhancements. • Special Interest Class Registration Up in Fall 2019: 635 people registered for special interest classes for 64 different classes offered in Fall 2019, the most of any fall season. • Kid’s BASE Enrollment Up: Kid’s Before and After School Enrichment (BASE) program attendance increased by 12% with expansion to Tartesso Elementary School. • Skyline Interpretive Programs Continue to be Recognized: Received 2019 Outstanding Education Program Award for Skyline’s outdoor programs from Arizona Parks and Recreation Association.
RECREATION DIVISION
Recreation Accomplishments
33%
of in-person programs transitions to virtual programs
$60,000
of refunds applied due to COVID-19
555
hours of aquatics online training
1,523
of Skyline and Special Events volunteer hours
2,128
youth sport participants (for all 3 seasons)
RECREATION DIVISION 3
sports seasons (Spring, Summer and Fall)
316
coaches/assistant coaches
6,559 total hours of volunteering
486
baseball/softball field reservations
5,341 SIC Program participants
YOUTH PROGRAMS
1,100
Teen visits per month
3,000
Kids BASE visits per month
600
Lil Squirts Preschool Program, and Before and After School Care visits per month
4,140
Summer programs visits per month (July 2019)
$126,043.50
DES program funding provided for 52 participants
2,250
*
*Programs were canceled as of March 16th due to COVID-19 pandemic
FREE Meals & Snacks served (Cut short due to COVID-19 pandemic as of March 23.)
SPECIAL EVENTS
50,720
record attendance at Signature Events Halloween Carnival Gives Back to Buckeye Community:
$33,182
The Buckeye Air Fair won the Outstanding Special Event Award for populations between 10,000-100,000 at the 2019 Arizona Parks and Recreation Association's annual awards ceremony.
Special Events Accomplishments
• Virtual Memorial Day Program Expands Reach: The Annual Memorial Day ceremony was held virtually to honor all service personnel who paid the ultimate price for our country. The virtual program had 5,400 views on social media, more than those that typically attend in person.
raised for local nonprofits for Halloween Carnival (highest ever)
Marathon Raises Funds for Scholarships for Youth to Participate in Rec Programs:
$16,000 raised for youth scholarships at the Buckeye Marathon that allows those that income-quality to participate in rec programs for free or at a reduced rate.
• Sponsorships Increased: Created a sponsorship guide, which resulted in a 66% increase in sponsorships for City special events.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Marathon Goes Global: Runners attended from
37
States & 4 Countries
Air Fair a Success:
36,000
in attendance at Buckeye Air Fair, 1,200 students who attended the school field trip on Friday, and 600 aircraft flew into the airport during the 3 day event.
SUMMER 2019 | VOLUME 9 | ISSUE 2
MARKETING & OUTREACH
Find out what’s happening in our city!
Mailed out
60,000+
SUMMER IS HERE!
Active At Home postcards to residents
31,296
Eye on Buckeye magazines mailed to residents quarterly Implemented Your Parks & Rec Newsletter
12,000+
A City of Buckeye Community Services Department Publication
subscribers sent out twice a month.
22,019
social media followers through Facebook and Instagram @buckeyepubliclibrary
@BuckeyeAzEvents
@BuckeyeCC
@SkylineRegionalPark
@buckeyevalleymuseum @BuckeyeAzEvents @BuckeyeAzRec
@SkylineRegionalPark
@BuckeyeAzRec
Sundance Crossings Recreation Center: Complete construction of approx. 4,000 square feet recreation center at Sundance Crossings. North Library & Community Center: Design approx. 13,000 square feet library and community center near Sun City Festival. Buckeye Pool Expansion: Design expansion of downtown pool to accommodate swim lessons and other program needs. A-Wing Auditorium: Complete stabilization and weatherization of the auditorium, including roof repair. BLM Lands at Miller / Tonopah-Salome Highway: Land planning studies required by BLM for City to lease land to develop as parks.
FY 21 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (UPCOMING)
Sundance Park Phase II: Complete design of approx. 39-acres west of existing park and begin constructing high priority amenities.
Park Site Lighting: Replace site lighting at Earl Edgar Recreation Facility, Town Park, and Kell Park.
Community Park in North Area of Buckeye: Feasibility study to evaluate possible locations to acquire land for future community park in areas north of I-10 Gila River Restoration: Site restoration activities in the Gila River.
Senior Center Kitchen Remodel: Possible remodel and expansion of Senior Center Kitchen if partially funded by grants. Earl Edgar Concession Stand: Remodeling of the concession stand. El Rio Trail Along Gila River: Feasibility study for trail along north bank of Gila River.
Buckeye Valley Museum Façade Renovation: Renovate the exterior of the Buckeye Valley Museum and upgrade landscaping.
Arizona Public Services Abrazo West Campus CORE DR Horton Verrado El Dorado Holdings Inc. Jones Ford Buckeye McCarthy Construction Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics Renewal By Andersen Republic Services Tartesso Waste Management
PARTNERS
Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records
Area Agency on Aging, Region One Buckeye Elks Lodge
Buckeye Main Street Coalition Buckeye Valley Historical Society
Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce Community Services Advisory Board Friends of Buckeye Recreation
Friends of the Buckeye Public Library
Library Advisory Board Salvation Army
Community Services Department 110 E. Irwin Ave. Buckeye, AZ 85326 623-349-6300 buckeyeaz.gov