The City of Palmdale was honored with two 2019 Project of the Year Awards presented by the American Public Works Association’s (APWA) Southern California chapter at its annual awards banquet on Dec. 10 in Lakewood, California.
The City’s Pelona Vista Park Fitness Court was named Project of the Year Award in the Recreation and Athletic Facilities category. In 2018, Palmdale was selected to participate in a National Fitness Campaign to bring an innovative and free fitness program to Pelona Vista Park. The new Fitness Court is a best-in-class outdoor bodyweight circuit-training system, which features more than 30 pieces of exercise equipment arranged in stations that allow for up to 28 people to use the court at the same time. The system, supported by an app, includes a series of full-body exercises that can be completed in just seven minutes. The 7 Movements in 7 Minutes is a simple yet powerful workout created for a range of athletic abilities that is shown to burn more calories per minute than most other forms of exercise.
Additionally, the City was awarded the Project of the Year Award in the Drainage, Water and Waste Water category for the City’s Upper Amargosa Creek Recharge Project. Funded by State Prop 84, it was a regional effort between the City of Palmdale, the Antelope Valley – East Kern Water Agency, Palmdale Water District, Los Angeles County Waterworks District and Department of Water Resources (DWR) to improve the reliability of the region’s water supply. Implementation of the project enables the storage of this precious resource in the local Antelope Valley Groundwater Basin for use by the region during periods of drought or disruptions in State Water Project operations.
Another benefit of the project includes 2.5 miles of multi-use nature trails with shade structures, educational signage, and landscaping that will connect the community to the local environment. Additionally, the project will preserve natural hillsides and restore and enhance the Native Mojave Desert scrub, riparian vegetation and wildlife habitats along the creek, which will also protect water quality.
About the APWA
The purpose of the APWA is the advancement of the theory and practice of the design, construction, maintenance, administration, and operation of public works facilities and services; the dissemination of information and experience upon, and the promotion of improved practices in public works administration; the encouragement of the adherence by public works officials to a high professional standard; and the professional and social improvement of its members; and the promotion of cooperation among all public, quasi-public, and private persons, firms, corporations, bodies, utilities, and agencies which have interests in the field of public works.
The Southern California Chapter of the APWA is a professional association of public works trades people, engineers and leaders in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. For 18 years, the annual APWA Best Awards luncheon recognizes individuals, groups and projects that are outstanding in the prior year. Awards are presented to agencies, public works leaders, as well as elected officials.
In the 20 years that the So Cal Chapter awards program has existed, the City of Palmdale has received 38 awards for many notable projects and programs implemented by the City.
For more information, please call the Department of Public Works at 661/267-5300.