| Phoenix to Reopen West Plaza Park Featuring New Amenities | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/parks-and-recreation/2638 | Parks and Recreation | | 1/25/2023 7:00:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2638/IMG_1516.jpg | | Phoenix to Reopen West Plaza Park Featuring New Amenities | <div class="ExternalClass40D70FE67E934744835950D332C89036"><html>
<p><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">T</span><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">he City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department and Phoenix City Councilwoman Betty Guardado have partnered to reopen West Plaza Park featuring a wide range of new and improved amenities.</span></p>
<p>“Offering Phoenix residents an environment where they can make memories, enjoy nature, spend time with their families and meet their fitness goals is exactly what this park was designed to do," said Phoenix City Councilwoman Betty Guardado. “This is a space that has amenities to fit the needs of all age ranges." </p>
<p>West Plaza Park offers a brand-new butterfly garden, outdoor sport stations, a fitness equipment plaza, a large ramada complex, four small ramadas with ADA-compliant seating, benches and much more. </p>
<p>The new garden is shaped like the pattern featured on Monarch butterfly wings and has several plants including Desert Milkweed, Pink Fairy Duster, Trailing Indigo Bush and Mexican Evening Primrose to attract common butterflies found in Phoenix.</p>
<p>Phoenix residents are also able to enjoy various outdoor fitness activities including basketball, sand volleyball, cornhole, and a ping pong table. The fitness equipment plaza features a stationary bike, leg and arm extension, a chest and vertical press and abdominal bench.</p>
<p>“I am truly proud of this park and everyone who helped make this project a reality. Thank you to Councilwoman Guardado and the Parks and Recreation team for making these amenities possible," says City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Aguilar. </p>
<p>The City is welcoming local media to the ribbon cutting event to help spread the word to Phoenix residents that West Plaza Park is now open. <br></p>
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| City of Phoenix Offers $3,000 Incentive to 2023 Certified Aquatics Staff | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/parks-and-recreation/2588 | Parks and Recreation | | 12/7/2022 7:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2588/Swim-Lesson-Lifeguard-for-Newsroom.jpg | | City of Phoenix Offers $3,000 Incentive to 2023 Certified Aquatics Staff | <div class="ExternalClass0AC1239A158B487C81AEAFC284BBFFCD"><html>
<span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is offering </span><strong style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">$3,000</strong><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"> in incentive pay for certified lifeguards. The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department needs to hire </span><strong style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;">pool managers, assistant managers and hundreds of lifeguards</strong><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"> ahead of the 2023 pool season to safely open as many of the city's 29 public pools as possible.<br></span><br>
<p>Eligible certified managers, assistant managers and lifeguards will receive $500 on the first paycheck, and the remaining $2,500 as a one-time payment at the end of the 2023 pool season. </p>
<p>To receive the pay, a person must become certified as a lifeguard, work the entire summer through Labor Day weekend and finish in good standing. </p>
<p>Also, for the first time, the department is offering a new 'Shallow Water Lifeguard' position. Shallow-water lifeguards will guard four feet of water and under. </p>
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<em>“For the second season in a row, the City of Phoenix is making a direct investment into the safety of our residents, especially when it comes to children and water safety," said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “Not only do lifeguards watch over our residents while swimming, but they also provide affordable swim lessons throughout the summer."</em>
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<em>“To ensure we deliver the best service to our residents, Phoenix we must continue to raise wages and benefits for our essential employees," said District 5 Councilwoman and Community & Cultural Investment Subcommittee Chair Betty Guardado. “Our committee will continue to support the important efforts by our Parks and Recreation Department to address the shortages in our lifeguard and pool staffing levels."</em>
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<p>The $3,000 incentive pay reimburses individuals for the cost and time spent obtaining the lifeguard certification and, <strong>when combined with the base hourly rate of per position, increases the rate of the follow positions to:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Pool Managers: $20.91/hour + $3,000 incentive = <strong>$30/hour*</strong></li>
<li>Assistant Pool Managers: $18.28/hour + $3,000 incentive = <strong>$27.65/hour*</strong></li>
<li>Swim Lesson Instructor: $16.51/hour + $3,000 incentive = <strong>$25.88/hour*</strong></li>
<li>Lifeguards: $15.72/hour + $3,000 incentive = <strong>$25.09/hour*</strong></li>
<li>Shallow Water Lifeguard: $14.97/hour + $3,000 incentive = <strong>$24.34/hour*</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The department is also offering a $250 employee referral payment. </p>
<p>Get certified now so you are ready to interview in March! Certification classes have already begun and are available for registration at multiple locations through March. Lifeguards must complete the necessary training during the scheduled class times.</p>
<p>Benefits of being a lifeguard: </p>
<ol>
<li>$3,000 incentive pay</li>
<li>$15.72 an hour base pay</li>
<li>Learn lifesaving skills</li>
<li>Work in your neighborhood</li>
<li>Keep your community safe and be a role model for kids</li>
<li>Looks great on a college application or resume, demonstrates teamwork, responsibility, and leadership skills</li>
<li>Meet other dedicated people</li>
<li>Flexible summer shifts, ideal for students</li>
<li>Have fun!</li>
</ol>
<p><a href="/parks/pools" target="_blank">StarGuard Training</a> for lifeguard certification is required to become a lifeguard with the City of Phoenix. Those interested in becoming a lifeguard should register for a certification class right away. Applicants must be at least 15-years-old. </p>
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<em>*The estimated hourly wage is based on the $3,000 incentive divided by 360, the number of hours worked in a typical swim season and added to each position's hourly base rate of pay.</em></p><br></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/parks | News |
