MRPA Corporate Members

Minnesota Recreation and Park Association’s Professional Awards

Sandy Breuer - MRPA Clifton E. French Award Recipient

The Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award recipient for 2020 was Sandy Breuer, director of Washington County Parks. This award is the highest distinction presented to a person who has provided long and outstanding service to MRPA and the parks and recreation profession. Breuer states, “I am grateful that the Randy’s (Randy Johnson and Randy Quale) encouraged me to get involved with MRPA early in my career. I have gained far more than I have given to the Association. When we serve on MRPA committees and/or the Board of Directors, it means we are away from work or home. Those at the office or at home, cover for us. Without my immediate family and all of my work families, I would not have received this award. I am so very blessed!” Breuer says, “When I enrolled at Mankato State University, now MN State University – Mankato, I was planning to be a physical education teacher with a dance minor. I took a parks and recreation class and “voila”, I ended up switching my major; and I kept the dance minor.” “As a young college student I volunteered at the National Parks and Recreation Association conference in Minneapolis,” says Breuer. “I drove from Mankato with other recreation students to stuff conference packets in the basement of the old Minneapolis convention center. This was my first introduction to a professional association.”

“I got very involved in MRPA as a student at Mankato,” adds Breuer. “I was in the recreation club and was an officer. I did internships at the YWCA in Mankato and the YMCA in New Hope. Upon graduation, I took a position at the YMCA in Port Arthur, Texas. I then accepted a position at the YMCA in downtown Minneapolis and returned to Minnesota. My career turned to the municipal side as I worked for the cities of Apple Valley, Shoreview, Eagan and New Brighton. I have been with Washington County for four years.” Breuer has been a member of MRPA since 1989. She served on the Board of Directors from 2000-2001 and again from 2009-2010. Breuer received the Dorothea Nelson Award in 2000, the MRPA Meritorious Award in 2005 and 2006, and the Presidential Citation Award in 2006.

“I have chaired, co-chaired or served on the aquatic section, facilities section, awards committee and conference committees,” says Breuer. “I have volunteered for many special events. One of my favorites has been working the Minnesota USSSA Hall of Fame Banquet for nearly 20 years. Being part of MRPA led me to the many friendships I have today. I am grateful for the relationships and friends that I have gained by being part of this profession.” Congratulations to Sandy Breuer for receiving this distinguished award, and for all her years of service to MRPA and the parks and recreation profession.

Left to right: Chris Esser, MRPA past president; Randy Johnson, former Apple Valley Park and Recreation Director; Sandy Breuer, Washington County Parks Director; and Randy Quale, former Bloomington Parks & Recreation Manager

Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award receipt Sandy Breuer and family (left to right): Kollin Michels, Melanie Wagner, Cassidy Breuer, Sandy and Scott Breuer, Molly O’Day and James Wagner.