Director Rivera told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on July 28 that the department ran an extensive slate of programs in July and recorded strong participation. "In the month of July, we had over 25 programs, special events, or activities for the community to engage in," Rivera said, and "we're just over 1,500 people for the month of July."

Why it matters: The department listed repairs and capital maintenance performed this month — an emergency crankshaft replacement on the aquatic center's wave machine compressor, minor bulkhead repairs at the pool, and channel-walkway crack repairs — while also rolling out expanded digital signage and celebrating staff achievements. Those repairs affected facility operations and required staff coordination. Rivera described the response as prompt: maintenance staff "got the compressor in pretty quick of a turnaround time and was able to install it and get those waves going."

Most important facts: The department installed a memorial bench honoring Corey Koch, a longtime city employee; restored wave operations after a compressor failure at the aquatic center; deployed a weed harvester on the lake; and completed bulkhead maintenance. Rivera noted the pool bulkhead is a rare, over-30-year-old mechanism that divides lanes and can be walked across. Lifeguards from the department competed at the Arizona Lifeguard Challenge, finishing third overall, and the department staged large public events including Island Vibes and a Splash Bash at Rotary Park. Rivera said the Splash Bash drew "well over 500 people out at Rotary Park."

Recreation programming: Rivera outlined summer camp attendance and changes. The department reported daily summer camp attendance around 100 to 130 participants and described a rebranded older-kids program, Adventure Academy (formerly Camp Wannago), which includes local business visits and specialty activities. Rivera also said the final summer session of swim lessons ended Aug. 1 and listed upcoming events and sponsors for free swim days.

Operational notes and outreach: Rivera said staff installed televisions in the aquatic center lobby to rotate fees and marketing materials digitally, and the department is preparing fall after-school programming built around a structured curriculum called Sparks. Rivera framed the Sparks curriculum as a measure to reduce behavioral incidents by providing consistent daily structure.

Ending: The report closed with Rivera citing a mayoral proclamation. Rivera said Mayor Sheehy "issued a proclamation declaring the entire month of July as parks and recreation month," and thanked staff and volunteers for the month’s activities. Board members offered praise and asked for follow-ups on accessibility and marketing at later agenda items.