ICMA Awards El Paso County, TX
COMMUNITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION AWARD
Presented to local governments and their chief administrators in recognition of their innovative and successful programs.
All-Abilities Playground Program, El Paso County, Texas
Community Equity and Inclusion Award, population 50,000 and greater
El Paso County is getting some national recognition for its initiative to build all-abilities playgrounds.
by: Dave Burge | Posted: Aug 6, 2023 / 02:29 PM MDT | Updated: Aug 8, 2023 / 12:33 PM MDT
El Paso County officials will be honored by the International City/County Management Association as recipients of the organization’s 2023 Community Equity and Inclusion Award.
El Paso, Texas (KTSM) – El Paso leaders will be breaking ground on new playgrounds designed for children of all ages and all-abilities.
“ICMA’s Community Equity and Inclusion Awards recognize communities for organizational achievements building or celebrating diversity and inclusiveness,” according to a news release announcing the award.
As the recipient of ICMA’s Community Equity and Inclusion Award, El Paso County All-Abilities Playgrounds Program will be honored in various platforms including ICMA’s Annual Conference, Sept 30 to Oct. 4.
A plan to build all-abilities playgrounds was established in 2018 by El Paso County leaders in partnership with Moms on Board, a non-profit organization. The first of three all-abilities playgrounds opened to the public at Gallegos Park in Canutillo on Nov. 30, 2022. The other
two playgrounds are expected to be completed by fall 2023 — one at Ascarate Park and the other at Risinger Park in Fabens.
“The construction of all-abilities play areas in the county encourages inclusion and understanding amongst all members of the community, regardless of their physical or mental abilities,” said Betsy C. Keller, chief administrator for the County. “This recognition is an added achievement to the crowning achievement of inclusivity for our community.”
The ICMA Local Government Excellence Awards Program “highlights creative contributions to professional local government management while demonstrating the difference that effective and committed management makes to the quality of life in our communities,” the news release stated.
“El Paso County continually strives to be inclusive and engaging with the community,” said Commissioner David Stout, Precinct 2. “We were excited to partner with Moms on Board on these projects and are working on other ways of making the County more inclusive for people with disabilities, such as working with advocates to create an advisory board and ensuring that our social media and websites are accessible.”