The Village of Mamaroneck is delighted to announce that the Village’s Parks & Recreation Department is the recipient of the 2021 Special Event Award from the New York State Recreation and Park Society (NYSRPS). The department was nominated to NYSRPS for its 2020 special event – The Santa Claus Experience.

"On behalf of all my colleagues in the Parks and Recreation Department, I want to express my sincere thanks and honor for this award," said Jason Pinto, Recreation Supervisor of the Village of Mamaroneck’s Parks and Recreation Department. "It is a privilege to work with the best colleagues as well as for the loving and supportive families of the Mamaroneck community. Thank you to everyone who made The Santa Claus Experience possible. It was one of the best community events I have had the pleasure of being a part of."

A total of 184 children and 84 cars participated in the sold-out event which was held in Harbor Island Park on December 12, 2020 — an unprecedented time when the Mamaroneck community and the world was experiencing the holidays during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were encouraged to decorate their cars in festive fashion for their journey through a drive-through magical holiday light tunnel. Magic awaited children as they greeted Santa on his sleigh who then presented each child with a holiday ornament gift. Due to its popular demand, the Village was also able to open a FREE drive-through Holiday Light Show to the general public on Sunday, December 13th, where approximately 500 additional cars participated (however, due to his busy work schedule at the North Pole, Santa Claus was not in attendance).

Click here (or the image above) to enjoy a short video from LMC Media of the Village's Tree Lighting Event and Santa Claus Experience.

"The folks who worked on the Santa Claus Experience really brought light and joy into many families lives with this display," said Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Tom Murphy. "It was creative, fun and much needed. These Village workers provided illumination in dark days. They brought joy to hundreds of Village kids. They all went way beyond the call of duty."

Each year, the New York State Recreation and Park Society (NYSRPS) presents a series of awards that have become a coveted honor for the people and organizations that work in parks and recreation. These awards are an excellent opportunity to recognize the contributions of people who make New York's parks, recreation and therapeutic recreation facilities work at their best. NYSRPS’s Special Event Award is given to an organization singled out for a specific, one-time or annual event that makes outstanding contributions to enrich the lives of individuals or groups in neighborhoods or communities in recreation, parks, or conservation. Usually, the awards are given at the Annual Awards Presentation held each year during NYSRPS's Annual Conference and Business Expo; however, this year (due to the pandemic), the Awards Presentation will take place on April 20th via Zoom. To learn more about the New York State Recreation and Park Society, click here.

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