MRPA in Action

Someone You Should Know: Aaron Thelen

RECREATION SUPERVISOR, CITY OF NEW HOPE

Aaron Thelen has always enjoyed being outdoors, playing sports and being active. “Growing up, I was the kid who always organized the activities and sports for people to play,” says Aaron Thelen, recreation supervisor for the City of New Hope. “Even when I was young, I knew I wanted to pursue some sort of education or sports degree working with kids.” While in college, Thelen took a philosophy course and heard a quote from the philosopher Confucius: “Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life”. Since then, Thelen has really resonated with that quote. “I believe parks and recreation is where I’m supposed to be,” he states. “Yes, there are days that may be busy or hard, but I love what I do and love going to work every day.” Thelen graduated from the University of Northwestern – Saint Paul with a degree in physical education and health education. “I soon came to the realization that I did not want to teach in a classroom setting,” he says. “I knew I still loved programming and working with kids, but I wasn’t sure what that looked like in a full-time position.” Thelen ended up accepting a full-time job working in another fi eld and then over the years he picked up a few part-time athletic positions. He worked at the YMCA as a sports instructor, Minnesota Youth Athletic Services (MYAS) as an athletic tournament

director and at the University of Northwestern – Saint Paul as an assistant women’s soccer coach. “By gaining more work experience and learning more about different programs, I soon realized there were jobs in parks and recreation,” states Thelen. “I knew what I wanted to pursue.” He adds, “I accepted my fi rst parks and recreation position as a recreation programmer for the City of Arden Hills and worked there Aaron Thelen (left) and his family for a little over two years. In 2017, I accepted the recreation supervisor for the City of New Hope, overseeing youth programs, adult programming and special events.” Thelen became a member of MRPA when he started working for the City of Arden Hills. “MRPA does a fantastic job in providing networking opportunities through the annual conference, various workshops and other events,” says Thelen. “Over the years I have volunteered on the annual conference logistics and programming committees, attended the Emerging Recreation Leaders Institute (ERLI), and was the past programming network chair. “Through MRPA I have gained a lot of experience, met new colleagues, friends and am very thankful for all that MRPA does for our profession,” adds Thelen. “I am so thankful to be part of parks and recreation, and am passionate about creating activities and events that bring joy and bring people together in a community.”

THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 KYOU TO OUR MRPA NORTH STAR PARTNERS

MRPA On the Air Podcast

Welcome to MRPA On the Air - a podcast for Minnesota Recreation and Park Association members and friends. The teaser episode was launched the beginning of June. Visit mnrpa.org/podcast to listen to the episode. Hosts Bryce Shearan and Meredith Lawrence discuss everything parks and recreation throughout the entire state of Minnesota, including the latest MRPA news and events and what’s going on in your association. Thank you to the Podcast Pack: • Jamie Anderson, Bemidji • Nicole Gorman, Edina • Sierra Hietala, Little Canada • Jeffrey Johnson, New Brighton • Meredith Lawrence, Mendota Heights • Tonya Love, Elk River • Bryce Shearen, Little Canada • Reed Smidt, Woodbury We are grateful for our MRPA On the Air podcast sponsors, Landscape Structures and Flagship Recreation.

New MRPA Member Forums

MRPA’s new member forums launched in mid-June. Members received an email directly from the MRPA website with their unique password. To login, visit the MRPA homepage, or the forums page under the membership tab on the website. Members can subscribe to the forum(s) at www.mnrpa.org/Forums This site is provided as a service for the members of MRPA. To ensure the best experience for all members, please visit the forum rules and etiquette on the MRPA website. Please reach out to MRPA with any questions at 763.571.1305 ext. 109 or gerhard@mnrpa.org Thank you for your contributions!

MRPA Mentorship Program 2022

The MRPA Mentorship Program was offered again this year from January to May 2022. This program was sponsored by the MRPA Young Professional and Student Network and the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation. The MRPA Mentorship Program was formed to help park and recreation students and professionals grow professionally in the fi eld through meaningful connections. It enables students and professionals newer to the fi eld to be paired with a distinguished professional for an experience that will last a lifetime. There were approximately 24 mentor / mentee pairs for the program’s second year. A special thank you to mentorship committee members John Stutzman, Meredith Lawrence, Jenna Smith, and Jessica Christensen Buck.

At right: Sierra Hietala, mentee, City of Little Canada, and Tracy Peterson, mentor, City of Edina