Who: Tucson Parks and Recreation Department
What: Dedication – new Purple Heart Park Off-Leash Dog Facility
When: Saturday, May 26, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. (at Rita Ranch Family Fun Day)
Where: East side of Purple Heart Park (10050 E. Rita Road) near Rees Loop walking path entrance

Dignitaries: Ward 4 Council Member, Shirley Scott; City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Director, Fred Gray;   and Rita Ranch Neighborhood Association President, Al Wiruth.

Funding for this project came from fees associated with the construction of an AT & T cell tower in the park, along with City of Tucson Impact fees.

This one-acre facility features two separate areas for large and small dogs.  The site is fenced, with a concrete inner path, drinking fountains, benches, trees andshrubs, landscape irrigation, decomposed granite surface, boulders and solar lights.

Contact:
Glenna Overstreet, Superintendent
520-791-5930
Glenna.Overstreet@tucsonaz.gov

Who: Tucson Parks and Recreation, Pima County Natural Resources Parks and Recreation, Pima Community College, and Ward 4 Council Member Shirley Scott

What: Groundbreaking Ceremony for the first phase of the Atturbury Wash Greenway from Escalante Road to Fred Enke Drive

When: Groundbreaking Ceremony – Monday, May 14, 2012, 9:30 a.m.

Where: The ceremony will take place in Abraham Lincoln Regional Park, east of the Children’s Outdoor Performance Area (COPA). Enter the park from Pantano Road via Poinciana Drive, park in the lot north of the William Clements Regional Center (8155 E. Poinciana Dr.) and follow the signs.

• First phase of the master-planned Atturbury Wash Greenway which, once completed will connect the future Irvington Road Greenway on  the south to the Pantano River Park on the north. This phase completes the section from Escalante Road to Fred Enke Drive.
• The design includes a 12-foot wide paved multi-use path as well as a separate 8-foot wide “soft” (decomposed granite) path and native landscaping.
• This ¾ mile multi-use path will run through Lincoln Park, linking the Fred Enke Golf Course, Pima College East Campus, Clements Center, the Children’s Outdoor Performance Area, the new Lincoln Park Four-field Softball Complex, Lower Lincoln Park, and the Michael Lyman Atturbury Wash Animal and Bird Sanctuary.
• A central plaza is planned along the path at the junction that accesses the Children’s Outdoor Performance Area and the Four-field Softball Complex. This plaza will include benches, picnic tables, and shade ramadas along with the public art provided by artist Jason Butler.
• Construction is scheduled to begin next week and will be completed in the Fall.

The Atturbury Wash Greenway will traverse the corner of the Pima Community College East Campus and we would like to acknowledge Pima College’s support and cooperation throughout the planning, design and construction of this project.

Contact: Liz Baechler, Recreation Supervisor Date: May 10, 2012
520-791-5787 TDD: 791-2639
Liz.Baechler@tucsonaz.gov

Dr. Steven Amstrup, world-renowned polar bear biologist and senior scientist with Polar Bears International (PBI), a leading polar bear conservation group, will present Reid Park Zoo with PBI’s prestigious Champion for Polar Bears Award. The award will be presented during a Reid Park Zoological Society Friendz of the Zoo event featuring a lecture by Dr. Amstrup on April 21, 2012.  Dr. Amstrup will be at the Reid Park Zoo April 20-21 (schedule of events below).

“The Reid Park Zoo earned the award because of its extraordinary outreach on climate change and CO2 reduction projects,” said Robert Buchanan, president and CEO of Polar Bears International (PBI). “Its passionate and creative leadership is making an enormous difference in motivating the public to make lifestyle changes to reduce carbon emissions.”

The Reid Park Zoo is part of PBI’s network of Arctic Ambassador Centers. These centers focus on animal well-being and enrichment, take a leadership role in stewardship and carbon reduction efforts in their communities, and participate in PBI polar bear research efforts.

During the event on April 21, the Zoo will, in turn, recognize a local business for its carbon-reduction efforts by presenting it with a Paw of Approval Award. This year’s recipient is Brooklyn Pizza Company, which has greened its operations by installing solar panels and an electric vehicle charging station. Additionally, they inform customers through an innovative educational display and use a solar powered vehicle for deliveries.

Schedule of Events with Dr. Amstrup:

April 20, 2012
●       1:30 p.m.      Dr. Amstrup and Zoo staff to visit Brooklyn Pizza Company
●       4:45 p.m       Dr. Amstrup workshop at Zoo Conservation Learning Center for staff and volunteers

April 21, 2012
●       4:00 p.m.      Zoo Friendz private tour behind-the-scenes at the Zoo to meet “Snow” the polar bear
●       4:30 p.m.      Conservation Learning Center opens for Dr. Amstrup’s lecture (SOLD OUT)
●       5:00 p.m.      Awards presented and lecture begins

The “Bring Back the Splash” campaign has attracted needed funds to open an additional six Summer Splash pools this upcoming summer season.

 Special thanks to Catalina Rotary, Jim Click Automotive Group, Pima Medical Institute, Nova Home Loans, Royal Automotive Group, Watson Chevrolet & Infinity of Tucson, the Emerald Foundation and countless individuals for contributing and successfully launching this years program.

In addition to the 10 extended-season pools these pools will offer swim lessons and open swim times:
Jacobs Pool, 1010 W. Lind St.
Palo Verde Pool, 300 S. Mann Ave.
Purple Heart Pool, 9800 E. Rita Rd.
Mansfield Pool, 2000 N. 4th Ave.
Menlo Pool, 1000 W. Fresno St.
Himmel Pool, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd.

Visit www.tucsonaz.gov/parksandrec/aquatics for all pool locations and programs.

TUCSON POLICE DEPARTMENT SPONSORS Learn-to-Swim LESSONS Recognizing the community’s enthusiasm for the Summer Splash program, Tucson’s Chief of Police, Roberto Villaseñor has sponsored this summers Learn-to-Swim Lessons with a grant from resources seized from criminal intent. Offering free swim lessons (with a $2.00 registration fee) is seen as a great opportunity to teach children the lifesaving skills of swimming and the lifelong value of quality recreation time. Learn more at the aquatics web page. Lesson Registration begins on Sunday, April 22 online at www.ezeereg.com

Nationwide, approximately 300 children under the age of five drown in swimming pools each year; and more than 5,000 children, ages 14 and under, are hospitalized due to drowning-related accidents. The Tucson Police Department is committed to helping prevent drowning incidents by supporting community programs that have a positive impact on the safety of Tucson community members. This summer swim program is expected to help nearly 4,800 of Tucson’s youth gain the knowledge and skills to be safe in and around swimming pools.

The swim program will not only serve to teach essential skills, but will also promote health and fitness, while providing a positive environment for youth to spend part of their summer. As an additional benefit, the program will serve to provide community members with employment opportunities for the summer, which will introduce them to the City of Tucson and generate interest in future employment opportunities within the organization. Financing to support this program is coming from RICO (Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations) funds, which are proceeds seized by law enforcement, from criminal activity associated with illegal drugs.

Those interested in participating in this fun and beneficial program can register on line and receive a voucher of sponsorship from the Tucson Police Department. Registration begins April 21, 2012.

Contact: Linda Galindo
Sergeant / Public Information Office

520-791-4852
On-call PIO: tucsonpdpio@gmail.com

http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/police

Egg hunt times are as follows: ages 4 and under – 10 a.m.; ages 5-6 – 10:30 a.m.; ages 7-8 – 11 a.m.; ages 9-12 at 11:30 a.m.

For more information, please contact the Donna R. Liggins Center at 791-3247.

WHERE: Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, Tucson, AZ 85716

WHAT: Reid Park Zoological Society invites supporters of Reid Park Zoo’s new elephant habitat, Expedition Tanzania¸ to celebrate the completion of the exhibit. The seven-acre addition includes a state-of-the-art habitat for elephants as well as a “pachyderm patio” featuring educational elements. The expansion will also accommodate the future needs of accredited zoos and their elephant populations. Refreshments will be served, and entertainment will be provided. Please note that this event is by invitation only.

MEDIA NOTE:
A ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 4:30 PM. Media covering the dedication of the new Expedition Tanzania exhibit may enter the Zoo at the main entrance at 3400 E. Zoo Court.  Program is expected to begin approximately at 4:45 PM with ribbon cutting and the first public viewing of the elephants in the exhibit to follow.

SCHEDULE OF OPENING EVENTS:
●Friday, March 23, 2012 – 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM – Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and opening celebration
●Sunday, March 25, 2012 – Tuesday, March 27, 2012 – Member’s Preview Days (please note that the exhibit opens at 10:00 AM on Sunday, March 25, 2012)
●Wednesday, March 28, 2012 – Public Grand Opening

Media welcome to attend all.

For additional information on this release, please contact:
Zak Winfield
Phone: 520-881-4753 ext. 17
Cell: 520-305-9251
E-mail: zak@tucsonzoo.org
Website: http://www.tucsonzoo.org

Members of the media are welcome. Media should arrive at 1100 S. Randolph Way to be escorted to the exhibit.

Elephants will most likely be on exhibit for a couple of hours, although animal behavior will guide the schedule.

Expedition Tanzania will not be open to the public until March 28th.

They are not in the exhibit or viewable by media at this time. Photos are not yet available.

When the elephants are introduced to the outdoor Expedition Tanzania exhibit, media will be notified and will be provided with access. It could be 2-4 days before they have yard access, although animal behavior will guide the schedule.

The elephants were transported by truck in specially designed crates that the elephants were trained to be comfortable with. They traveled with veterinary staff and their keepers, who are still at Reid Park Zoo facilitating a smooth transition. Today, the new arrivals have access to the Click Family Elephant Care Center and are eating as well as interacting with their new keepers.

“Mabu,” the youngsters’ father, and another adult female named “Lungile” arrived February 24th and are settling in.

The exhibit is scheduled to open to the public on March 28th. Reid Park Zoo Members only can begin previewing the exhibit on March 25th at 10 a.m.

As a result, A-Mountain will remain closed until 1:00 p.m. for all vehicle access. At approximately 1:00 p.m. both gates will be opened to the public and vehicular traffic will resume.

For more information regarding the event, please contact the American Cancer Society at 520-320-6382 or visit ACS events the web at: http://community.acsevents.org/ctctucson

For park information, contact the West District Administration at 791-5909.