Farmers Branch parks and aquatics programs win regional awards; employee recognized

City staff on Jan. 7 presented several recognitions to the Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department: a Texas Recreation and Park Society North Region Park Design Excellence Award for Hoya Park, a North Region part-time employee of the year award for Allie Chambers, and recognition of the Farmers Branch Aquatic Center in Aquatics International Magazine’s 2024 Best of Aquatics 10-year anniversary edition.

Robert Diaz, director of parks and recreation, said the regional Park Design Excellence Award for Hoya Park was notable because the project competed against larger cities including Plano, Dallas and Fort Worth. Diaz called Hoya Park “the jewel of our park system” and thanked staff for their work in bringing the project to fruition. Mark Moffett, the parks superintendent, and other parks staff accepted the recognition on behalf of the department.

Jessica Alvarado, recreation superintendent, presented the part-time employee award for Allie Chambers, an aquatic specialist who helps with lifeguard training and front-desk duties. Alvarado said Chambers was submitted and honored in November by the Texas Recreation and Park Society’s north region for outstanding part-time service.

Alvarado and aquatics staff also noted that the Farmers Branch Aquatic Center was featured in Aquatics International Magazine’s Best of Aquatics 2024 10-year anniversary edition. The recognition singled out the facility’s services and the aquatics team’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council members and attendees applauded staff and the award recipients; staff said the state-level award for Hoya Park was still forthcoming and that the council and public would be notified when that recognition is received.

No formal council action was required; the awards were presented as ceremonial items near the start of the meeting.