2020 Best of Aquatics: The COVID Edition

The Year 2020 will no doubt go down in the history books for the historic challenges it posed on industries such as aquatics, where many teams had to learn a new way to operate, while others had to stand by as they chose to remain shuttered for the year.

But just as surely, we will remember this year for the stellar response of the aquatics field, as professionals collaborated and shared with their peers across the country, and industry leaders developed protocol and delivered information as quickly as they could. The goal was the same — keeping every human who walked onto the premises as safe as possible and safeguarding the business and operations.

In that setting, we continue the tradition of honoring 10 facilities in our annual Best of Aquatics issue. This time, we looked at how entrants responded to the immense challenges brought on by COVID-19. Look below to see our honorees, and click on each to learn how these teams have adapted to increase safety, inclusion and satisfaction among their visitors, community and staff during the toughest year of all.

• Dennis Malone Aquatics Center Joins 2020 Best of Aquatics Slate

  Learn about the Bristol Conn.-based facility's now-award-winning lifeguard training regimen.

  

• City of Des Moines Takes Spot in 2020 Best of Aquatics

  Learn about the city's extensive COVID-19 response program.

  

• Farmers Branch Aquatic Center Named in 2020 Best of Aquatics Slate

  Learn why the Farmers Branch, Texas, facility was recognized in the Social Media category.

  

• Greenville County Recreation Gains Best of Aquatics Honor

  Read on to find out why the South Carolina department's social media strategy gained the recognition.

  

• Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission Appears in 2020 Best of Aquatics

  The Greenbelt, Md.-based agency is honored for its achievements in diversity,

  

• Phillip West Aquatics Center Named in 2020 Best of Aquatics

  Based in American Canyon, Calif., the center is honored for its COVID-19 response.

  

• Provo Recreation Center Awarded Berth in 2020 Best of Aquatics

  The Utah facility was honored for its lifeguard training.

  

• Texas’ City of Round Rock Parks and Recreation Earns Best of Aquatics Nod

  Find out about the targeted programming that helped gain the award.

  

• City of Temecula Honored in 2020 Best of Aquatics

  Read about the California city's now award-winning targeted programming.

  

• The Woodlands Township, Texas, Earns Best of Aquatics Recognition

  Learn why the town's lifeguard training program earned the honor.