MRPA Mentorship Program

MRPA Facility Management Series

MRPA Mentorship Program

The MRPA Facility Management Series was originally scheduled in the spring of 2020, but had to be re-scheduled due to the pandemic. Nineteen members were able to attend this in-person professional development series in November 2020. This program provided a focused examination of facility planning, development, and operations. MRPA extends a huge thank you to Brooklyn Park, Elk River, Shoreview, and St. Louis Park for hosting and giving tours of their facilities. This facility series was also made possible because of our sponsors’ generous support: Landscape Structures / Flagship Recreation, Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation, and RJM Construction.

By Meredith Lawrence, City of Mendota Heights

The MRPA Mentorship Program, sponsored by the MRPA Young Professional and Student Network and the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation, was formed to help park and recreation students and professionals grow professionally in the field through meaningful connections. The program enables students and career professionals to be paired with an experienced or distinguished professional for an experience that will last a lifetime. The mentorship program committee reviewed 40 applications and were able to produce 20 pairs for the program’s first year. A special thank you to mentorship committee members John Stutzman, Meredith Lawrence, Jenna Smith, and Jessica Christensen Buck.

Outdoor Recreation Grant Deadline is March 31

The Minnesota DNR Outdoor Recreation grant’s goal is to increase and enhance outdoor recreation facilities in local and community parks throughout the state. The program provides matching grants to local units of government for up to 50-percent of the cost of acquisition, development and/or redevelopment of local parks and recreation areas. Applicants are eligible to receive more than one grant. Download the application and learn more at www.bit.ly/ MNDNRgrants

SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW: Jacob Andersen

Jacob Andersen became interested in parks and recreation while he was a freshman at the University of Iowa. “I started out as an intramural sport official and progressed to facility supervisor for a couple of facilities within the recreation department,” says Andersen, recreation supervisor for Brooklyn Center Parks and Recreation. “That progressed to working parttime for the City of Iowa City and that’s when I decided parks and recreation was something I wanted to make a career out of. I enjoyed providing activities and facilities that offer the public ways to have fun, learn, and form new relationships.” Andersen’s career in recreation has been diverse and has influenced every part of his life. “Working in small town Iowa, taught me that the job is not a typical nine to five job,” he says. “Overseeing every aspect of recreation ranging from the community center, parks, youth and adult sports leagues, and community swimming pool.” His career then took him to the Las Vegas area and Boulder City, Nev. where he oversaw the aquatic division. That is also where he met his wife. “Recreation then brought me back to the Midwest and to the Twin Cities,” he adds. “One could say my recreation career has influenced my entire life and brought me experiences that will always stick with me.” Andersen became involved with MRPA as soon as he moved to Minnesota. He was involved with the state associations in Iowa and Nevada. “I have found the state associations have a wealth of knowledge,” he says. “The networking between recreation professionals is an important part of my career. When I moved to the Twin Cities area, I knew that I wanted to become involved with MRPA. It was even brought up in my interview with the City of Brooklyn Center. My experience with MRPA, staff, and all of the other professionals involved has been fantastic.” Andersen adds, “Being the programming network chair during the pandemic has been challenging, but an awesome experience due to the collaboration and communication that has happened. I hope to continue to be active in MRPA and would recommend that if anyone is thinking about getting more involved, DO IT!”

MRPA members are the heart of our organization. They are involved and committed to advancing the parks and recreation programming. MRPA in Action is a new magazine feature which will highlight one section/committee and one professional per issue.