This is Oro Valley

In this episode, we sit down with Frank Barletta, owner of Ready Set Pickle , to talk about the rapid growth of youth pickleball in Oro Valley. What started as a simple idea to introduce kids to a fun and accessible sport has quickly turned into a thriving after-school program that’s drawing more and more young players to the court. Frank shares how pickleball’s fast-paced, social nature makes it...

In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Hynd , Constituent Services Coordinator, to talk about what her job really looks like behind the scenes. Jessica is often the first point of contact for residents—fielding questions, concerns, and requests, and helping connect people with the right resources. She shares how constituent services works, what kinds of issues come up most often, and how reside...

 Step behind the scenes at Steam Pump Ranch in this episode featuring Jon Schumacher , Recreation Facility Manager, as he shares how history and creativity come together at one of the community’s most unique spaces. Jon talks about his role in developing fun, meaningful, and inclusive programming that brings the ranch to life for visitors of all ages. Jon also reflects on his own journey—what drew...

In this episode, the Town of Oro Valley sits down with Michael and Bonnie Quinn, founders of Rockin’ 4 Heroes — a charity event that brings the community together through music, gratitude, and giving. The Quinns share how their passion for live music and love for those who serve inspired them to create an annual concert honoring veterans, first responders, and healthcare heroes. Tune in to hear ho...

The Pusch Ridge Tennis Facility, part of Oro Valley’s larger El Conquistador Tennis program, is home to a nationally recognized community of players, coaches and members. With 16 post-tension courts, upgraded lighting and a legacy of high-profile tournaments, it is one of the premier public tennis programs in Southern Arizona. In addition to hosting daily play and lessons, the facility serves as a...

In this episode we dive into Oro Valley’s recent success in securing a major grant to support the Northwest Recharge, Recovery, and Delivery System—better known as NWRRDS. This project is a critical step in ensuring a sustainable water future for our community, bringing long-term reliability to one of our most precious resources. Join us as we break down what the grant means, how NWRRDS will work,...

 In this episode of What’s Happening in Parks and Recreation , we’re diving into the world of youth summer camps! Amanda Hale, Assistant Recreation Manager for the Town, joins us to share what it takes to plan, prepare, and pull off a fun, safe, and meaningful summer experience for hundreds of local kids. From scheduling activities and training staff to creating unforgettable memories, Amanda give...

Local historian and author Jim Williams was recently recognized with an Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History for his book, Oro Valley: The First Fifty Years . Join us as Jim, also a past president of the Oro Valley Historical Society, shares stories about the Town’s early days and his inspiration for writing the book. All proceeds from his book benefit the...

In this inspiring episode of What’s Happening in Parks and Recreation , Nick sits down with Oro Valley’s own Richard Shumway—a 100-year-old tennis player whose energy and outlook are as sharp as his forehand. From growing up in an orphanage in France to serving in World War II, Richard has lived an extraordinary life. Now, he spends his mornings on the courts at the Oro Valley Community Center, pr...

In this special 50th anniversary episode of This is Oro Valley , we hand the mic to the people who matter most—our residents. From lifelong locals to newcomers, we hear heartfelt, funny, and inspiring reflections on what makes Oro Valley such a special place to call home. Join us as we wrap up a year of celebration by listening to the community’s own words about the beauty, growth, and spirit of o...

Welcome to What’s Happening in Parks and Recreation – your inside scoop on all things Oro Valley Parks and Rec! This season, we’re turning the spotlight on the amazing accomplishments happening right in our own backyard. From award-winning events to innovative new programs, improved trails, and community-driven projects, we're highlighting the cool things our Parks and Recreation team is maki...

The Town of Oro Valley (Town or OV) offers a unique experience for folks of all abilities to connect with nature, people, and places by walking, hiking, biking, or horseback riding along the Town’s many pathways. The Town is working on OV Trails Connect: Planning Future Trails and Paths —a planning effort to shape OV’s unpaved trails and paved multi-use path network. Whether you stroll, roll, hike...

In this episode of This is Oro Valley , we sit down with Anizza Alvarez, Court Administrator for Oro Valley Courts, to discuss the vital role our courts play in keeping the community safe. Anizza shares insights into how the court system operates, the services it provides, and how it ensures fairness and justice for all. Plus, we dive into some exciting upgrades coming to the Oro Valley court buil...

This month Nick and Lois discuss some fun valentines day programming including Parent's Night Out, conveniently happening on Valentine's day itself, and some very cool rodeo break camp programming for kids.  Also, exciting news! In future episodes we'll begin covering exciting parks and recreation stories while still giving you up to date information about the cool things happening...

In this episode we sit down with Sasha Case, the passionate coordinator behind Oro Valley's beloved art tours. Sasha shares her insights on the transformative power of public art and how it fosters a sense of community, beauty, and identity. She highlights the town’s long-standing commitment to integrating art into public spaces, turning Oro Valley into a picturesque destination for both loca...

Happy New Year! Kick off your new year with some exciting programs including hiking opportunities for youth and seniors, as well as a fun senior trivia event - See all of the programming on playov.com.

Welcome to this month's episode, where we’re diving into all the exciting winter events happening in Oro Valley! The Parks and Recreation Department has something special for everyone this season. 🎄 SnOV Holiday Celebration : Get ready for a magical evening filled with holiday cheer! SnOV brings the spirit of the season to life with festive activities, live entertainment, and, of course, sno...

 In this episode, we sit down with three inspiring members of the Youth Advisory Council—Tanish, Allison, and Nihar—to dive into the incredible ways they’re making a difference in the community. They share their experiences, motivations, and the unique projects they’re passionate about, from local events to initiatives that amplify youth voices. Tune in to hear how these young leaders are shaping...

It's finally fall here in the desert, so throw on your coziest clothes and be sure to join us at our Parks and Recreation events including a campout under the stars, a hike in Alamo Canyon, and an outdoor film screening of Emperor's New Groove! Register for these events on PlayOV.com . 

In this episode, we dive into the exciting happenings in parks and recreation this October! As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, there’s no shortage of fun activities for everyone. Join us as we explore upcoming events, including the highly anticipated "Halloveen Spooktacular." This family-friendly event promises thrills and chills with pumpkin carving contests, costume parades,...

2024 has been a year of celebration as the Town marks its 50th anniversary. But the celebration goes beyond parades and events. Join us for a discussion with Dave Perry, as we talk about the task of collecting stories about our Town’s history, and why it’s so important to share those stories with our community. 

This month Lois and Nick discuss some fun events including Bark in the Park: Join the fun on Saturday, September 28th from 5pm-8pm at Steam Pump Ranch for Bark in the Park. Bring your family, friends and doggies! The Dog Costume Contest will have on-site registration the day of the event. Entry is free! Interested in any of the events discussed during the podcast? Visit playov.com  for details or...

The Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce is an important town partner who works directly with our business community. Learn about the steps the Chamber takes to meaningfully connect with businesses in Oro Valley from Kristen Sharp, CEO. To learn more about the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, visit their website: https://orovalleychamber.com/ and remember to shop local for a chance to win...

This month we speak with Louie Valenzuela, Emergency Management and Safety Coordinator about how to prepare for the most common emergencies we face. Louie discusses his role with the town, how to prepare a 72 hour kit, and has some fun answering how he would handle some made up, desert-themed, emergencies. Be sure to sign up for our free emergency notification system, CodeRED: Register for CodeRED...