PHTA Names Recipient of 2026 Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance has named the city of Ocala Recreation & Parks department in Ocala, Florida, as the recipient of the 2026 Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant.
Established in memory of Dr. Robert Neil Lowry, a longtime PHTA member and Recreational Water & Air Quality Committee participant, the annual $5,000 grant recognizes a public health department or official for advancing public health and the safe use of recreational water through education, safety, operational and technical programs.
The Ocala department was selected for its water safety and swim education initiatives, which include free community swim lessons, parent-child swim instruction and the Aquability program for people with autism and other developmental disabilities. The department also launched a community outreach campaign featuring water safety messaging on public transit to promote its programs.
Grant funding will be used to expand free swim lessons, increase Aquability programming, enhance parent-child instruction and buy more instructional materials and safety equipment. The expanded programs are expected to serve hundreds of additional children and families, according to PHTA.
“The Research and Grants Committee was impressed by the city of Ocala Recreation & Parks’ innovative approach to expanding access to water safety education and swim lessons,” says Justin Wiley, executive vice president of advocacy and external affairs for PHTA. “Their commitment to serving children, families and individuals with developmental disabilities demonstrates the type of community impact the Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant was established to support. PHTA is proud to help further these important efforts.”
Previous recipients of the grant include the Southern Nevada Health District, Central Valley Health District, Craven County Environmental Health, Fishers Health Department and the city of North Richland Hills.
For information about the grant, visit phta.org/lowry-grant.
