City and Volunteers Honored by San Diego Chapter of California Park and Rec Society

The San Diego chapter of the California Park and Recreation Society honored Santee for its newest park and acknowledged volunteer work by the Friend's of Santee's River Park at their annual awards ceremony on Wedndesday.

The City received the society's annual Achievement Award for Facility Design for the .

The second phase offers "expanded recreational opportunities for local residents, the new 55-acre park has attracted amateur sports leagues from throughout Southern California, generating new business for local restaurants and retail outlets. The park also provides a venue for special events, promotes an active lifestyle, and offers a safe, well-lit gathering place where people can enjoy the open space and wildlife along the ," according to the City of Santee press release.

The Friends of Santee's River Park, a branch of the San Diego River Park Foundation, were also presented an award for their volunteer work.

The friends group website describes them as a "community group compromised of individuals united in their goal of preserving and enhancing the San Diego River and surrounding park areas within the City of Santee."

Foundation Executive Director Rob Hutsel, Program Manager Richard Dhu, and group leader Gary Strawn, have partnered with the city to obtain grants to expand Santee’s river trails and organize river cleanup events.

Achievement awards were also presented to the city of Escondido for its learn-to-swim programs, and to the city of Solana Beach Arts Advisory Commission for its Arts Alive event along the Coastal Rail Trail.