Homer Mayor Rachel Lord proclaimed July as Parks and Recreation Month at a June 23 regular meeting of the Homer City Council.
“Parks and recreation programs build healthy, active communities that aid in the prevention of chronic disease, provide therapeutic recreation services for those who are mentally or physically disabled, and also improve the mental and emotional health of all residents,” Lord read from the proclamation Monday. “Parks and recreation areas are fundamental to the environmental well-being of our community, and the city recognizes the benefits derived from those resources.”
The mayor thanked Community Recreation Manager Mike Illg, Parks Maintenance Coordinator Chad Felice and “all the folks at Public Works” for their support of parks and recreation in Homer. The proclamation notes that the U.S. House of Representatives has recognized July as National Parks and Recreation Month. The National Recreation and Park Association website celebrates 2025 as the 40th anniversary of the designation, noting that their chosen theme for the year — “Build Together, Play Together” — recognizes the contributions of more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals across the country and acknowledges the “hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers who maintain our country’s close-to-home parks.”
The mayor also recognized July 26 as ADA Awareness Day, in honor of July 26, 1990, when the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law.
“The ADA has expanded opportunities for people with disabilities by reducing barriers, changing perceptions, and increasing opportunities for full participation and inclusion in community life,” Lord read. “The City of Homer encourages people to reaffirm the principles of equality and inclusion laid out in the ADA, expand their awareness, and recommit our efforts to reach full ADA compliance so that every person in our city can succeed and live life to the fullest.”
The next regular Homer City Council meeting will be held July 28 at 6 p.m. in the Cowles Council Chambers at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue.
