Parks and Recreation three-peat winner of ‘Best in Aquatics’ award

Willoughby Parks and Recreation has been named a “Best in Aquatics” by Aquatics International magazine for the third year in a row.

According to an Aquatics International article, the award recognizes professionals that are “doing something big, bold and innovative to make pools safer and get more people in the water.”

Willoughby Parks and Recreation Coordinator Jim Clark said that he had been notified of the award in late October. He called it the aquatics-equivalent of making the playoffs or playing in the Super Bowl.

“It’s a pretty big deal for us in aquatics to get recognized,” Clark said. “Getting recognized three years in a row is pretty amazing and I think it’s a testament to our aquatics programs we have in Willoughby... These things don’t happen without fantastic staff and great attitudes and training, and without the support of the city.”

Clark noted that a major factor in the award selection this year was Willoughby’s special needs swimming nights. One of the reasons for such programs was by recommendation of the public, some of whom wanted a simple recreation program for special needs people — and their families — to enjoy the pool.

“We set up three different nights and then we had people come to the event,” Clark said. “We did a flat charge of $10 per family and then the family enjoyed the event. We kind of customized things to whatever their needs were.

“The response was great. One night, we had well over 40 families — I think we had like 45 families — come out and they were just highly enthusiastic,” he said, adding that the community had helped the program grow naturally.

In a November article concerning the program, Aquatics International Deputy Editor Rebecca Robledo wrote, “These evenings have not only benefited those with special needs and their families. Through the new program and the families’ eagerness to make suggestions, the staff have learned lessons that they can apply to virtually all classes and settings.”

Clark said that in 2016 Willoughby was honored because of its innovations in safety. In 2017, it was again honored due to the department’s “targeted programming,” specifically the Camp Swim Better Program. The camp makes sure kids who were coming to the city’s day camps had a chance to get swim lessons.

“It makes me feel fantastic and it really makes me proud of my staff and proud of the city I work for,” Clark said about the award. “These opportunities don’t present themselves everywhere. I’ve been at other facilities where you didn’t get the cooperation... The cooperation and support you get from the City of Willoughby is just outstanding.

“Between (that) and the fact that our staff is wonderful... it just really makes me proud of everyone.”

According to Clark, an upcoming awards event in Frisco, Texas, will recognize Willoughby as a “Best in Aquatics” winner.

“Getting recognized three years in a row is pretty amazing and I think it’s a testament to our aquatics programs we have in Willoughby... ” — Willoughby Parks and Recreation Coordinator Jim Clark