Administration Department

The Administration Department performs the support functions for the District, including:

  • Processing accounts payable and accounts receivable
  • Maintaining financial records for the District and prepares the annual budget
  • Maintaining all District financing functions
  • Human resources
  • Information technology and Web site
  • Front and back office functions
  • Oversight of District operations and services
  • Planning, construction and project management
  • Public Information
  • District Press

Contact Information

Administration Department: (916) 428-1171

Ward Winchell, General Manager
Paula Hansen, Administration Manager
Deanna Parker-Taylor, Accounting Manager
Vince King, Planning Manager
Juanita Cano, Associate Park Planner
Hilary Harkins, Landscape Architect
Scott Behmer, Human Resources Analyst
Ashika Lal, Communication and Media Officer
Angelica Palacios, Administrative Assistant II/Board Secretary
Julia Goetz, Administrative Assistant
Peter DeSantiago, Network Administrator

Financial Reports

Enterprise Systems Catalog

Municipal Service Review and Sphere of Influence

District Policy

Awards and Recognitions

Special District Leadership Foundation Awards

District of Distinction Accreditation – 2012 to Present

  • 1 of 37 Districts out of 2160 Independent Districts in California, 10th longest continuous accreditation in California
  • Only Park District out of 92 Park Districts in California with current accreditation certificate
  • District Transparency Certificate of Excellence – 2014 to Present

Partnership for Quality Living, Hall of Honor – 2021

  • “Exceptional Leadership Award” – Larry R. Gury (Southgate General Manager 1995-1998)

Sierra Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association – 2021, 2005

  • Distinguished Member of the Year Sam Samuelson, CGCS, WildHawk Golf Club

Professional Golfers Association Northern California – 2021

  • Public Merchandiser of the Year – Paul Henderson, PGA, WildHawk Golf Club

Government Finance Officers Association – Fiscal Years ended June 30, 2006 to Present

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (2018 results)

  • 1 of 2 Park Districts in California, 1of 76 Park Districts in United States
  • 1 of 53 Special Districts in California
  • 1 of 289 Special Districts in the United States

Government Finance Officers Association – Fiscal Years beginning July 1, 2005 to Present

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2018 Results)

  • 1 of 2 Park Districts in California, 1of 15 Park Districts in United States
  • 1 of 67 Special Districts in California
  • 1 of 234 Special Districts in the United States

Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings AA Issuer Credit Rating – 2020

  • The District was first able to obtain an A- Issuer Credit Rating in 2004. The rating increased to A+ in 2010, to AA- in 2018, and AA in 2019.  One of four Park Districts in California with a rating of AA or better.

California Parks and Recreation Society (District 2) – 2020

  • Facility Design & Park Planning Award – “Pat O’Brien Community Center, New Aquatic Center, and Scott Hokama Support Facility”

California Parks and Recreation Society (District 2) – 2020

  • Recreation & Community Program Award – “Walk with Ease” Program

California Association of Recreation and Park Districts – 2020

  • Award of Outstanding New Facility –“Pat O’Brien Community Center, New Aquatic Center, and Scott Hokama Support Facility”

California Association of Recreation and Park Districts – 2020

  • Award of Outstanding Innovative Program – “Walk with Ease”

California Association for Park and Recreation Indemnity – 2012 to Present

  • Ted Winslow Safety Award Cycles 12-16

Sacramento Environmental Commission – 2018

  • Outstanding Environmental Leadership – “Florin Creek Park Multi-Use Flood Control Basin Project”

California Association of Recreation and Park Districts – 2018

  • Outstanding Renovated Facility by Large District – “Florin Creek Park Multi-Use Flood Control Basin Project”

California Parks and Recreation Society (District 2) – 2018 

  • Recreation & Community Program Award – “Florin Creek Park Multi-Use Flood Control Basin Project and Programs”

American Society of Civil Engineers Region 9 – 2017

  • Outstanding Sustainable Engineering Project – “Florin Creek Park Multi-Use Flood Control Basin Project”

Jack Davis Park Community Empowerment Project – 2017

  • Kaiser Permanente, KaBOOM! Playground, Sacramento Kings Basketball Court
  • Habitat for Humanity Project, County Supervisor Phil Serna, Fruitridge Collaborative and South Oak Park Community Association.  Community Handball Court Mural added in 2019

California Parks and Recreation Society (District 2) – 2017

  • Agency Showcase Marketing Award – “District Facility Marketing Plan”

American Society of Civil Engineers (Sacramento Section) – 2016

  • Outstanding Sustainable Project of the Year – “Florin Creek Park Multi-Use Flood Control Basin Project”

44th Avenue Cul-de-Sac Pop-Up Park – 2016

  • California Sierra Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy, SacDOT, Caltrans, Franklin Boulevard Neighborhood Development Corporation, and Martin Luther King Neighborhood Association

“Best of Elk Grove” Award for Best Public Golf Courses in Elk Grove Area – 2009-2014

  • WildHawk Golf Club

California Association of Public Information Officers – 2012

  • Award of Excellence in Communications for Website

California Parks and Recreation Society (Statewide) – 2012

  • Champion of the Community Award – Board Member Edd Smith

California Parks and Recreation Society (District 2) – 2012

  • Champion of the Community Award – Board Member Edd Smith

California Parks and Recreation Society (District 2) – 2012

  • Agency Showcase Marketing Award – District Website

California School-Age Consortium – 2012

  • Afterschool Champion Award

Golf & Lifestyle Magazine – 2010

  • Best Value (Bang for your Buck) – WildHawk Golf Club
  • 3rd Best Bloody Mary – WildHawk Grille at WildHawk Golf Club
  • 3rd Best General Manager – Paul Henderson, WildHawk Golf Club

Parkway Estates Neighborhood Assn. Community Award for Outstanding Service – 2010

  • Maintenance of Sky Park and New Gazebo

California Parks and Recreation Society (District 2) – 2008

  • Agency Showcase Marketing Award – The “Southgator” publication

KCRA 3 A-List – 2008

  • 3rd Best Golf Course – WildHawk Golf Club

Golf Digest 2008 – Present

  •  3.5 out of 5 rating – WildHawk Golf Club

Sacramento Tree Foundation Tree Hero – 2007

  • Austin B. Carroll Award

California Association of Recreation & Park Districts Award of Distinction – 2007

  • Best Innovative Program – “R.E.C. Van” (mobile recreation program)

California Parks and Recreation Society (Statewide) – 2005

  • Award of Excellence – “Golf With Attitude” Marketing Campaign

South Sacramento County Visions – 2005          

  • South Sacramento Community Leadership Award

Sacramento Magazine Best of Sacramento – 2003  

  • Public Golf Course – WildHawk Golf Club

Super League of Soccer 

  • Award for Great Contribution to the Community

California Special Districts Association – 1998

  • General Manager of the Year – Larry R. Gury

California Parks and Recreation Society (Statewide) – 1998             

  • Award of Excellence in Facility Design – Florin History Community Center

Lemon Hill Circle Program – 1997                          

  • Special Recognition Award

California Parks and Recreation Society (Statewide) – 1997             

  • Award of Excellence for Special Program Brochure – Poster (Second Place)

California Special Districts Association – 1995

  • Board Member of the Year – Robert D. Cochran

California Parks and Recreation Society (Statewide) – 1983

  • State President’s Award for Outstanding Service in Legislative Arena – Pat O’Brien

California Parks and Recreation Society (District 2) – 1983

  • Technical Merit Award for Microcomputer Technology – John P. Flohr

California Parks and Recreation Society (District 2) – 1979

  • Citizen of the Year Award – Board Member Robert D. Cochran