After 39 Years, Susan Wipf Bids Adieu

It was November 7, 1983, and the Police were singing “Every Breath You Take” on the radio. Susan Wipf had just left the California Contractors Council and Construction Industry Government Relations Council to join the California Park & Recreation Society as the Editorial Assistant. She was only two years removed from obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication/Journalism from California State University, Sacramento. And after 39 years of stellar service, Susan is retiring from CPRS.

And in 39 years you get to see quite a bit of CPRS history.

• 10,000+ District and Section Leaders

• 600+ CPRS State Board of Directors

• 38 Conferences

• 25+ CPRS Co-workers

• 10+ Exhibit Committee Chairs

• 3 Executive Directors

• 3 Different Buildings

• 1 Amazing Profession to Work For

Susan’s first duties were to assist the Magazine Editor with publishing the quarterly magazine and the monthly Leisure Lines newsletter. Later she transitioned to the Director of Membership/Exhibit Manager where she was responsible for membership services promotions, expo sales and general advertising sales. Her title was changed to Director of Marketing and Membership where she picked up the duties of creating and selling sponsorships. And she also served as the Interim Executive Director for a short time in 1985-86.

When asked about the Executive Directors Susan had worked for, she said “I have worked with three fabulous Executive Directors, Jack Harrison hired me in 1983. When Jack moved on, Jane Adams was hired for the position and for the next 28 years Jane and I worked together until she retired in 2014. Stephanie Stephens replaced Jane in 2014. I could not have worked with a better group of people.”

I asked Susan what was her greatest accomplishment at CPRS. She then began to give me a long list of things which included growing the Expo Show to the 2nd largest park and recrecreation show in the nation, three computer conversions to automate office operations, creating the Silent Auction for student scholarships, implementing an Agency Membership Program, creating an Eblast program and more.

But it seemed there were two things that she was a bit more animated about. The first was the Parks Make Life Better! Branding campaign. She seemed to be especially proud of being a part of the creation of the first statewide branding campaign for the parks and recreation profession which has since been picked up be other park and recreation agencies throughout the United States and Canada.

The second was being involved in the success of state legislation and the passage of bond acts which brought much needed funds to local park and recreation agencies to continue their work in creating better communities.

She told a story about how people believe there will always be parks. They take that for granted. But many years ago a Chinese delegation came to visit the CPRS office and tour park and recreation agencies throughout California. They came to see how our park systems operated. They shared the fact that in China – there are parks, but because there are so many people and so little park land - it is a crime for their residents to walk on the grass in their parks – they can look but can’t touch - what an unbelievable thought that was to her!

Susan believes people need to continually be educated on the value of parks and recreation in our nation, because what they don’t understand they will not value, and what they do not value, they will not protect, and what they do not protect, we will eventually lose. We cannot take our programs and services for granted. “By speaking out and speaking up, we can, individually and together, make sure that parks and recreation programs are here today, tomorrow and in the future. For the past 39 years I have worked to preserve, protect and promote the value of parks and recreation as an essential service along with all my other CPRS communities and friends.”

I asked her about her fondest memory. She said after 39 years, there’s just way too much to try and narrow down. But she really talked about her interactions with the people she saw on a regular basis: district and section leaders, state board members and CPRS staff.

What about a favorite conference?

Susan responded that they were all special for different reasons. But she did mention a Jerry Lee Lewis concert at one of the conferences in Fresno. She mentioned the Welcome Reception in Long Beach in 2018 (which was also the conference’s 70th Anniversary). She also talked about a time when a relative of Ansel Adams helped produce an Ansel Adams photo exhibit in the hall. She used to love it when the local host city would build a park in the Expo Hall. “Oh and the dances!” she suddenly remembered.

When asked what she will miss most about CPRS she said it would be the people, places and spaces she had the honor to be involved with and collaborate with. She said so many people have become great friends!

Is there anything you won’t miss? “Nothing really” and then she hemed and hawed for a moment. “Don’t print this, but I won’t miss the Awards Banquets.” I concurred none of the staff would miss having to attend the Awards Banquets after a long week of conference.

Last question - why don’t you go one more year and make it an even 40 years, she smiled, nodded and said “It’s time.” And then she added “Gotta go play now!”