The City of Santee recently received three awards from California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) District 12.

City staff who attended the April Awards and Installation Breakfast took home a Most Valuable Part Time Player Award, Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Award, and Parks Make Life Better Spotlight Award: Facility.

The Most Valuable Part Time Player Award was awarded to Recreation Leader, Amanda DiBenedetto, for her outstanding contributions to the City of Santee. DiBenedetto was recognized for her professionalism and ability to adapt to both administrative and special events-related roles.

Recreation Services Manager, Anne Morrison, received the JEDI Award, which acknowledges an individual’s efforts in justice, equity, diversity and inclusion within CPRS District 12.

Morrison has been a strong advocate for creating access to play, imagination and fun for all throughout her 20 years at the City of Santee. She has challenged her team to ensure that all events are accessible, relevant and representative of the Santee population. Additionally, she worked to align her programs with the economic growth and cultural expansion that has occurred within the City of Santee.

The Parks Make Life Better Award: Facility was awarded to the City of Santee for the Town Center Community Park Softball Fields Equity Improvements.

The softball fields’ improvement exhibited a creative and innovative design that provides equal opportunities for female youth athletes in the City of Santee.

This project increased the original three-field youth softball field complex to a five-field complex, added extra amenities such as enhanced dugouts, warm up area and seating.

The project allows more than 300 softball players to have better opportunities for games, practices and turned the park into a larger attraction for the City of Santee.