Cordova Recreation & Park District Directors and staff pose alongside Julie Hagan Belka, accepting the Partnership for Quality Living Hall of Honor award on behalf of her late grandfather, Paul Hagan, at the Cordova Recreation & Park District July 17 board meeting. Neil Orchard, Cordova Recreation & Park District’s longest-serving district administrator, also attended with his wife, Rosealiê Orchard. Photo courtesy of Cordova Recreation & Park District
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) – Former Cordova Recreation & Park District (CRPD) District Administrator Paul Hagan was recognized posthumously for his outstanding contributions to recreation, leisure and wellness within the Rancho Cordova community at the Cordova Recreation & Park District July 17 board meeting.
His award was presented by Wayne Lowery, former El Dorado Hills Community Services District general manager on behalf of the Partnership for Quality Living (PQL). The prestigious award was accepted on his behalf by Hagan’s granddaughter, Julie Hagan Belka.
Best known as the namesake of Rancho Cordova’s beloved Hagan Community Park, Hagan was Cordova Recreation & Park District’s first district administrator from 1960 to 1985. During his tenure, Hagan worked to significantly expand the acquisition and development of parks and recreation facilities throughout Rancho Cordova, developing 21 parks and recreation facilities under his leadership.
Besides his Rancho Cordova work, Hagan was engaged in the broader development of the parks and recreation industry as an active member of the National Recreation and Park Association and the California Park & Recreation Society for more than 20 years.
Among his many accomplishments, Hagan contributed to developing a nation-wide model for joint land usage between school districts and parks administrations, advocated for bringing nationally-recognized events to Rancho Cordova and received numerous awards for his dedication, including Rotary International’s highest award.
Hagan’s dedication to the Parks and Recreation industry was apparent throughout his life and even after his passing, his legacy continues to be worthy of recognition and celebration.
The Partnership for Quality Living Hall of Honor recognizes historical contributions of individuals in the development of leisure, recreation and parks services. In recognizing individuals such as Hagan, the Partnership for Quality Living hopes to chronicle influential developments in the field, further encouraging and celebrating future engagement and progress.
The Partnership for Quality Living recognizes recreation, parks and leisure as essential to promoting and maintaining a high quality of life for communities and their residents by enhancing public health and wellness.