The spotlight was firmly on the City of Southlake's Community Services Department at the recent DFW Directors Association Awards Ceremony, where the team clinched three prestigious accolades.

The event, held at the state-of-the-art Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center, celebrated excellence in the Parks and Recreation profession, bringing together professionals from the dynamic DFW metroplex.

The Community Services Department's commitment to excellence and the exemplary achievements of its world-class professionals were recognized across three distinct categories:

Parks Manager Mike Reasoner - Distinguished Professional Award: In his 20 years with the City of Southlake, Mike Reasoner has witnessed the parks system grow to over 1,100 acres and has managed several major park improvement projects. His attention to detail, exceptional customer service, and commitment to teamwork make him an outstanding Parks Manager and a valuable member of the Southlake team.

Community Relations Manager Vicky Schiber - Excellence in Mentoring Award: Vicky Schiber serves as the Community Relations Manager, and is a catalyst for professional development, empowering young professionals to grow in their field. This summer, Vicky mentored a part-time Recreation Specialist-turned-intern, helping him secure a coveted full-time position with another department in the City. Her dedication to teaching essential skills and fostering growth underscores her role as a mentor committed to the success of her team members.

Programs Staff Jonathan Weeks, Sara Farris, and Jason Ellison for Club Metro Summer Camp - Inclusion Award: Club Metro, Southlake's premiere Adaptive Recreation Program, expanded into a summer camp for the first time this year. The sold-out run and perfect Net Promoter scores showcased the success of Club Metro Camp, held during the weeks of June 26-30 and July 31-August 4. The full-day camp featured activities, meals, and exciting outings, ensuring all participants' needs were met. After this impactful first year, the staff eagerly anticipates hosting Club Metro Camp next summer.

The 2024 DFW Directors Association Awards Ceremony was a fun staff-bonding event, hosted at the impressive Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center. What made the victories even sweeter was the element of surprise, as award winners were kept in the dark about their nominations until the grand reveal.

"The City of Southlake congratulates all the award winners for their outstanding achievements and the phenomenal service they provide to our residents," said David Miller, Director of the Community Services Department. "We take immense pride in our team's commitment to excellence, and these awards are a testament to their hard work and dedication."

As the Community Services Department continues to set benchmarks in the field, the City of Southlake looks forward to even greater accomplishments and contributions to the well-being and enrichment of the community.

The City of Southlake's Community Services Department is thrilled to announce its double victory at the 2023 Texas Recreation and Parks Society (TRAPS) North Region Awards. This recognition highlights the department's unwavering commitment to enhancing the well-being of Southlake residents through innovative and inclusive community recreation programs.

The first accolade, the Lone Star Programming Award, was presented to the City of Southlake for the exceptional Club Metro Summer Camp, introduced during the summer of 2023. Club Metro Summer Camp quickly became a resounding success, embodying the essence of a perfect community program: inclusive, creative, and tailored to a unique demographic. Participants cherished the opportunity to develop their soft skills in a supportive environment, and the addition of two summer sessions proved to be a great triumph. The Community Services Department is excited to continue offering specialized Adaptive Recreation opportunities, building on the achievements of Club Metro Summer Camp.

The second honor, the Excellence in Programming Award, was awarded to the City of Southlake for the 2023 Fit City Challenge. This collaborative endeavor between the cities of Southlake, Keller, and Colleyville, now in its second year, resulted in Southlake clinching the title of "Most Fit City 2023" after 45 days of spirited competition, city cooperation, and a shared commitment to promoting healthier communities. With a strong foundation in place, the program aims to expand the Fit City Challenge to neighboring communities, fostering healthy competition and valuable partnerships with private and public organizations. The Fit City Challenge has firmly established itself as a staple in Southlake's fitness programming for years to come.

The Awards Selection Committee lauded the Community Services Department's nominations as exemplary of dedication and excellence in the field of parks and recreation. These accolades recognize the department's relentless pursuit of excellence in its daily endeavors.

Representatives from the Community Services Department will accept these awards on behalf of the City at the annual TRAPS North Awards Ceremony and Holiday Party, scheduled for Wednesday, December 6. The City of Southlake extends its heartfelt congratulations to all staff members who contributed to the success of these award-winning programs.

The City of Southlake's Community Services Department is thrilled to announce its double victory at the 2023 Texas Recreation and Parks Society (TRAPS) North Region Awards. This recognition highlights the department's unwavering commitment to enhancing the well-being of Southlake residents through innovative and inclusive community recreation programs.

The first accolade, the Lone Star Programming Award, was presented to the City of Southlake for the exceptional Club Metro Summer Camp, introduced during the summer of 2023. Club Metro Summer Camp quickly became a resounding success, embodying the essence of a perfect community program: inclusive, creative, and tailored to a unique demographic. Participants cherished the opportunity to develop their soft skills in a supportive environment, and the addition of two summer sessions proved to be a great triumph. The Community Services Department is excited to continue offering specialized Adaptive Recreation opportunities, building on the achievements of Club Metro Summer Camp.

The second honor, the Excellence in Programming Award, was awarded to the City of Southlake for the 2023 Fit City Challenge. This collaborative endeavor between the cities of Southlake, Keller, and Colleyville, now in its second year, resulted in Southlake clinching the title of "Most Fit City 2023" after 45 days of spirited competition, city cooperation, and a shared commitment to promoting healthier communities. With a strong foundation in place, the program aims to expand the Fit City Challenge to neighboring communities, fostering healthy competition and valuable partnerships with private and public organizations. The Fit City Challenge has firmly established itself as a staple in Southlake's fitness programming for years to come.

The Awards Selection Committee lauded the Community Services Department's nominations as exemplary of dedication and excellence in the field of parks and recreation. These accolades recognize the department's relentless pursuit of excellence in its daily endeavors.

Representatives from the Community Services Department will accept these awards on behalf of the City at the annual TRAPS North Awards Ceremony and Holiday Party, scheduled for Wednesday, December 6. The City of Southlake extends its heartfelt congratulations to all staff members who contributed to the success of these award-winning programs.

Community programming is a quintessential aspect of Parks and Recreation. The goal of the Community Services team is to create world-class experiences for our residents and participants.

 

Recently, the Community Services Department learned that it won two awards from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society North Region. The Southlake Senior Activity Center's Floral Friends Program won the Excellence in Programming Award (Class II).  The Southlake Arts Council won the Arts and Humanities Programming Award (Class II) for the Southlake Presents Art Show and Competition.

 

These two awards represent our community’s commitment to excellence in the field of Recreation. We are proud to receive this recognition because these two programs highlight the extraordinary efforts of Southlake residents. 

 

Let’s learn a bit more about each award.

 

Floral Friends Program

The Floral Friends program is simple. Every week, a senior center member picks up unsold flowers from a local grocer through a community partnership and delivers them to the Senior Activity Center. Once dropped off, another group of volunteer seniors works on arranging the flowers into masterpieces that elevate the visitor experience at Legends Hall.

 

The Floral Friends program unites our senior volunteers through the common goals of learning, taking pride in their shared space, and bringing joy to those who utilize the facility. They work hard to make the Senior Activity Center at The Marq a home away from home for visitors and employees alike! This cost-neutral program also strengthened community relations and improved waste reduction while providing vital social and creative interactions for our active adults. The benefits of this program are three-fold. It builds a long-lasting partnership with a local business, reduces waste by utilizing unsellable flowers through an in-kind donation, provides an avenue for a low-to-no-cost program for the senior center, and brings our Senior community joy. Talent-sharing, catering to the needs of our senior community and supporting our local businesses perfectly tie into the City of Southlake’s Strategy Map principle of Partnership and Volunteerism.

 

The Southlake Senior Activity Center is so proud of our Floral Friends volunteers for being recognized for their dedication to beautifying our shared spaces. 

 

Southlake Presents Art Show and Competition

The Southlake Presents Art Show and Competition was the brainchild of the Southlake Arts Council. It was brought to life by a partnership that included City staff, Arts Council members, the APEX Arts League, and local Southlake artists. The Southlake Arts Council desired to emphasize the significance of the arts in Southlake by mounting a public art exhibit that only featured pieces created by Southlake residents for the first time. Planning began in early 2022, and the application period lasted from January to March 15. The program was advertised on the City’s social media, the Experience Southlake website, and My Southlake News. 

 

Twenty-four local artists entered over 70 original pieces into the competition by the time the deadline rolled around. The Southlake Arts Council selected 15 unique pieces ranging from oil and watercolor on canvas, photography, and mixed media, to quilt art for the exhibit. 

 

In addition to the exhibit, the City of Southlake, the Southlake Arts Council, and the APEX Arts League partner to provide a public art reception to kick off every new public art display in the Town Hall. The Southlake Presents Art Show Reception was on Sunday, May 1, at 5:00 PM in the Town Hall Lobby. Participating artists and their families came to celebrate their art and answer questions.

 

Congratulations to our Senior Activity Center Floral Friends volunteers and the Southlake Arts Council for being recognized for your extraordinary commitment to strengthening our community.

 

The Community Services Department will publicly accept both awards at the TRAPS North Region Conference at the Irving Convention Center on Thursday, November 3.

 

Community programming is a quintessential aspect of Parks and Recreation. The goal of the Community Services team is to create world-class experiences for our residents and participants.

 

Recently, the Community Services Department learned that it won two awards from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society North Region. The Southlake Senior Activity Center's Floral Friends Program won the Excellence in Programming Award (Class II).  The Southlake Arts Council won the Arts and Humanities Programming Award (Class II) for the Southlake Presents Art Show and Competition.

 

These two awards represent our community’s commitment to excellence in the field of Recreation. We are proud to receive this recognition because these two programs highlight the extraordinary efforts of Southlake residents. 

 

Let’s learn a bit more about each award.

 

Floral Friends Program

The Floral Friends program is simple. Every week, a senior center member picks up unsold flowers from a local grocer through a community partnership and delivers them to the Senior Activity Center. Once dropped off, another group of volunteer seniors works on arranging the flowers into masterpieces that elevate the visitor experience at Legends Hall.

 

The Floral Friends program unites our senior volunteers through the common goals of learning, taking pride in their shared space, and bringing joy to those who utilize the facility. They work hard to make the Senior Activity Center at The Marq a home away from home for visitors and employees alike! This cost-neutral program also strengthened community relations and improved waste reduction while providing vital social and creative interactions for our active adults. The benefits of this program are three-fold. It builds a long-lasting partnership with a local business, reduces waste by utilizing unsellable flowers through an in-kind donation, provides an avenue for a low-to-no-cost program for the senior center, and brings our Senior community joy. Talent-sharing, catering to the needs of our senior community and supporting our local businesses perfectly tie into the City of Southlake’s Strategy Map principle of Partnership and Volunteerism.

 

The Southlake Senior Activity Center is so proud of our Floral Friends volunteers for being recognized for their dedication to beautifying our shared spaces. 

 

Southlake Presents Art Show and Competition

The Southlake Presents Art Show and Competition was the brainchild of the Southlake Arts Council. It was brought to life by a partnership that included City staff, Arts Council members, the APEX Arts League, and local Southlake artists. The Southlake Arts Council desired to emphasize the significance of the arts in Southlake by mounting a public art exhibit that only featured pieces created by Southlake residents for the first time. Planning began in early 2022, and the application period lasted from January to March 15. The program was advertised on the City’s social media, the Experience Southlake website, and My Southlake News. 

 

Twenty-four local artists entered over 70 original pieces into the competition by the time the deadline rolled around. The Southlake Arts Council selected 15 unique pieces ranging from oil and watercolor on canvas, photography, and mixed media, to quilt art for the exhibit. 

 

In addition to the exhibit, the City of Southlake, the Southlake Arts Council, and the APEX Arts League partner to provide a public art reception to kick off every new public art display in the Town Hall. The Southlake Presents Art Show Reception was on Sunday, May 1, at 5:00 PM in the Town Hall Lobby. Participating artists and their families came to celebrate their art and answer questions.

 

Congratulations to our Senior Activity Center Floral Friends volunteers and the Southlake Arts Council for being recognized for your extraordinary commitment to strengthening our community.

 

The Community Services Department will publicly accept both awards at the TRAPS North Region Conference at the Irving Convention Center on Thursday, November 3.

 

Community programming is a quintessential aspect of Parks and Recreation. The goal of the Community Services team is to create world-class experiences for our residents and participants.

 

Recently, the Community Services Department learned that it won two awards from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society North Region. The Southlake Senior Activity Center's Floral Friends Program won the Excellence in Programming Award (Class II).  The Southlake Arts Council won the Arts and Humanities Programming Award (Class II) for the Southlake Presents Art Show and Competition.

 

These two awards represent our community’s commitment to excellence in the field of Recreation. We are proud to receive this recognition because these two programs highlight the extraordinary efforts of Southlake residents. 

 

Let’s learn a bit more about each award.

 

Floral Friends Program

The Floral Friends program is simple. Every week, a senior center member picks up unsold flowers from a local grocer through a community partnership and delivers them to the Senior Activity Center. Once dropped off, another group of volunteer seniors works on arranging the flowers into masterpieces that elevate the visitor experience at Legends Hall.

 

The Floral Friends program unites our senior volunteers through the common goals of learning, taking pride in their shared space, and bringing joy to those who utilize the facility. They work hard to make the Senior Activity Center at The Marq a home away from home for visitors and employees alike! This cost-neutral program also strengthened community relations and improved waste reduction while providing vital social and creative interactions for our active adults. The benefits of this program are three-fold. It builds a long-lasting partnership with a local business, reduces waste by utilizing unsellable flowers through an in-kind donation, provides an avenue for a low-to-no-cost program for the senior center, and brings our Senior community joy. Talent-sharing, catering to the needs of our senior community and supporting our local businesses perfectly tie into the City of Southlake’s Strategy Map principle of Partnership and Volunteerism.

 

The Southlake Senior Activity Center is so proud of our Floral Friends volunteers for being recognized for their dedication to beautifying our shared spaces. 

 

Southlake Presents Art Show and Competition

The Southlake Presents Art Show and Competition was the brainchild of the Southlake Arts Council. It was brought to life by a partnership that included City staff, Arts Council members, the APEX Arts League, and local Southlake artists. The Southlake Arts Council desired to emphasize the significance of the arts in Southlake by mounting a public art exhibit that only featured pieces created by Southlake residents for the first time. Planning began in early 2022, and the application period lasted from January to March 15. The program was advertised on the City’s social media, the Experience Southlake website, and My Southlake News. 

 

Twenty-four local artists entered over 70 original pieces into the competition by the time the deadline rolled around. The Southlake Arts Council selected 15 unique pieces ranging from oil and watercolor on canvas, photography, and mixed media, to quilt art for the exhibit. 

 

In addition to the exhibit, the City of Southlake, the Southlake Arts Council, and the APEX Arts League partner to provide a public art reception to kick off every new public art display in the Town Hall. The Southlake Presents Art Show Reception was on Sunday, May 1, at 5:00 PM in the Town Hall Lobby. Participating artists and their families came to celebrate their art and answer questions.

 

Congratulations to our Senior Activity Center Floral Friends volunteers and the Southlake Arts Council for being recognized for your extraordinary commitment to strengthening our community.

 

The Community Services Department will publicly accept both awards at the TRAPS North Region Conference at the Irving Convention Center on Thursday, November 3.

 

The City of Southlake’s annual Stars and Stripes 20th Anniversary recently received recognition, winning multiple awards from the Texas Festivals & Events Association (TFEA) for the 2019 event.

TFEA hosted the annual Kaliff Marketing Awards for events held throughout the state before the pandemic and virtually after the pandemic began from June 1, 2019, through May 31, 2020. Southlake earned the top honor, first place, in the Best Miscellaneous On-Site Décor for the City’s photo booth display, in its respective budget category. The City also was chosen for two bronze awards in the Best Event Video Promotion and Best Giveaway categories.

“It is our goal to create memorable experiences for our City, its residents, and visitors alike,” said Daniel Cortez, Southlake’s director of economic development and tourism. “We can bring forth these exemplary events like our signature Stars and Stripes because of our community support. We can’t thank our sponsors enough for seeing and believing in our vision for events and joining us in our efforts to help create those memories.”

The award competition, which recognizes marketing and promotion campaign excellence, highlights the TFEA’s annual summer conference. Although the meeting was postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic, the awards competition still took place with 395 submitted entries.

“The goal for festivals and events is to create memorable experiences and signature destination events that are unrivaled in their entertainment value, as well as all the other elements associated with such programs,” said TFEA Executive Director Kay Wolf.

TFEA is a professional trade association for festival and event planners, volunteers, and suppliers from across Texas. It is an official affiliate of the International Festivals & Events Association, the premier professional association supporting festival and event leaders worldwide.