PRL Director Marty McDonald recipient of coveted Young Professional Award

The National Recreation and Park Association will recognize its annual award winners at the California/NRPA Pacific Southwest Regional Training Conference in Ontario, California this week.

These awards recognize and honor the outstanding performances of individuals and organizations in relation to parks, recreation and conservation. Receiving the Young Professional award this year is Maricopa’s own Parks, Recreation and Libraries (PRL) Director, Martin McDonald.

Young Professional Award winner Martin McDonald.

“All in all Mr. McDonald has been one of the most dedicated, ambitious individuals that I’ve met in any organization,” stated Dawn Madden of MaricopasRealtor.com in the nomination package she submitted to the Association. She continued, “His willingness to put the needs of the residents first has always been evident in the outcome of his efforts. I encourage the committee reviewing these nominations to consider all accomplishments by the PRL Department as personal accomplishments of Martin J. McDonald, PRL Director.”

To be eligible for the Young Professionals Award, an individual must to meet the following qualifications:
A. Membership in the NRPA
B. 35 years of age or less as of December 31st of the nominating year
C. Minimum years experience as a leader, instructor, supervisor, administrator, consultant, or a combination of these in the field of parks and recreation.
D. Service:
1. Distinctive leadership in promotion, organization and development of a “pioneer-type” activity in parks and recreation.
2. Contributions to the profession through the NRPA, its branches and affiliates.
3. Outstanding service to the profession through the allied fields of arts, crafts, sports, health and safety education, design, park maintenance, horticulture, education, consultation, services, etc.
4. High recommendations and respect from the staff within the agency for which the individual works now.

In less than two years with the City of Maricopa, McDonald has been responsible for putting together the City’s annual Founder’s Day Celebration, Maricopa Salsa Festival, 4th of July Fishing Derby and Holiday Homes on Parade. He has put together a program of PRL activities that currently offers over 60 different classes and serves more than 500 residents.

Coach Marty has a great time working with the little ones in the PRL’s Tiny Tot Sports program.

Director McDonald reviews the design for Pacana Park with members of the PRL advisory committee.

McDonald was responsible for negotiating the deal for Pacana Park. Because of his efforts, the City of Maricopa is paying $1.8 million for a $5.1 million park. He worked with the City Council to pass an open space ordinance to protect quality of life for residents; the City of Maricopa has the highest open space percentage in the state of Arizona at 20% of the total acreage of a planned or master planned community.

Of his nomination, McDonald said “I feel honored to be recognized as the Pacific Southwest Region Young Professional of the Year by the NRPA. The City of Maricopa PRL Department has come a long way since we opened for business in June 2004. This award is a reflection of the tremendous support we have from Mayor Kelly Anderson, the entire City Council, City Manager Rick Buss, our entire staff and the volunteers who have helped staff city events and coach sports teams.”

“I would also like to thank my lovely wife, Marisa, for her support and putting up with the long hours, late nights and early mornings, and, most of all, for her constant encouragement,” added McDonald. “This is the first time in my career that I have won an award of this caliber, and it’s truly an exciting opportunity to be recognized by my peers. Building a department from scratch with limited financial and physical resources has been extremely challenging but extremely rewarding in the same breath.”

The staff at City Hall also recognizes McDonald for his outstanding performance and dedication. “Without reservation I can tell you that the decision to hire Mr. McDonald as the PRL Director has been one of the best decisions we have made as a newly incorporated City,” said City Manager Rick Buss. “He has taken the tremendous challenge of creating a PRL department from scratch, encumbered with limited funds and no facilities, into a highly successful and vibrant enterprise. Under Mr. McDonald’s leadership, community involvement in PRL programs and activities has exceeded the most optimistic expectations.”

It is evident in the success of the PRL programs that McDonald has earned this award. Hopefully the City of Maricopa will continue to benefit from his hard work, dedication and innovative community-building ideas for years to come.