Kaizen & Pima County, Arizona: Building Something New, Together
On August 1st, the collaboration between Pima County and Kaizen Labs officially began. Six months prior, we met the Pima County Parks and Recreation team and instantly recognized that our organizations were a perfect match.
Pima County, home to over one million residents, operates 51 parks, over a dozen trailheads, 13 community centers, 10 pools, shooting ranges, and a campground with over 130 sites. From the onset, our goal was clear: not only to address digital issues but to create a cutting-edge interface that reshapes the online experience for every park-goer in Pima County.
Identifying Challenges and Opportunities
Kaizen Labs and the Pima team developed a strategy based on more than a dozen pain points and growth opportunities presented by their incumbent software vendor. Issues such as a misleading and confusing reservation calendar, essential campsite and amenity information being invisible, and the lack of support for modern mobile payment methods (i.e. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Tap-To-Pay) led to staff and residents hacking their way around the software.
Building the Perfect Solution
The product Pima County envisioned did not exist. So, we built it together.
With this first blog post, we are excited to chronicle our journey with Pima County Parks and Recreation. From our initial meeting to breaking down pain points, to the launch of a new digital world for residents, we have come a long way. As of August 1, residents of Pima County can now enjoy an end-to-end parks, facilities, and recreation management system that offers:
• A seamless and intuitive multi-day calendar for viewing and making campsite and facility reservations within minutes.
• Native memberships discovery and checkout workflows for archery passes, outdoor activity passes, and more.
• Modern mobile payment methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Tap-To-Pay.
• Full accessibility across all browsers, making reservations and registration seamless on any mobile device, tablet, and desktop.
• Automatic notifications for waitlists when a spot becomes available.
• Email and text receipts for transactions, and more.
Testimonials and Future Vision
Behind each alteration was the central idea that accessing local services should be easy for those in Pima. Now, the city and citizens have a suite of tailored digital products that drive more revenue, engage citizens, and support a thriving community. Specifically designed to grow with communities, regions, and counties over time and as needs change, we will maintain software updates, design improvements, and performance enhancements, allowing Vic and his team flexibility and constant improvement while keeping costs low.
Nikhil Reddy, Kaizen CEO, said, “It was an absolute pleasure to collaborate with Pima County to build this platform. From the beginning, we were totally aligned on who we were doing this for and why: The residents of Tucson County, who deserve a smooth and beautiful online experience. The team has an infectious passion for sharing the rich natural resources Pima has to offer, which is a value and energy that Kaizen was founded on. We can’t wait to see what else this partnership brings.”
Looking Ahead
We’re here to stay in Arizona and have recently announced our partnership with the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association. As their Innovation Sponsor through 2027, we’ll work closely with their team on educational opportunities and social events for their constituents.
“We’re super excited to work with Nikhil Reddy and the Kaizen Labs team!” said Kade Nelson, executive director of the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association. “I have always been a big believer in collaborating and working together to accomplish great things. With our shared values and desire to improve the parks and recreation industry, there is no doubt in my mind that this partnership is going to do just that!”
The Kaizen team is excited to keep building with municipalities around the country. To follow along as our story grows, community by community, keep an eye out for more posts on our blog and sign up for our newsletter!
