MRPA Mentorship Program 2023

from MRPA Magazine - Summer 2023

Mentoring: Invaluable to Success

By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park AssociationCity of New Ulm

The MRPA Mentorship Program was offered again this year from January to May 2023. The final meeting and celebration luncheon was held on May 12, 2023 at Hyland Hills Chalet in Bloomington. Thank you to Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation for sponsoring the lunch and Three Rivers Park District for hosting this celebration.

The mentorship program committee reviewed applications and were able to produce 26 mentor / mentee pairs this year. There were 24 pairs for the program in 2022, and 20 pairs for the program’s first year in 2021.

The MRPA Mentorship Program 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 experienced or distinguished professionals for an experience that will last a lifetime.

“I am really glad that MRPA offers the mentorship program for young professionals like myself,” says Sierra Hietala, recreation coordinator for the City of Little Canada. “It’s a great way to get a broader perspective on the field, and talk with someone who has

‘been in my shoes’ before. Because of the mentorship program I have been able to meet some amazing teams, see different facilities and how they function, and reflect on my professional journey and where I hope to see myself in the future.”

“This is my first year in the parks and recreation industry,” says Roee Hecht, recreation coordinator – special events and farmers market, for the City of Maple Grove. “The mentorship program was a great way for me to make connections outside of my city with plenty of opportunities to network. I would highly recommend it to any young professional!”

A Classic Park’s New Chapter

Restoring a place like Lincoln Park takes more than skill. You have to know the land it’s built on. You have to understand how trees and water talk. You have to grasp how memories are made at play, on picnics . Sounds like hard work? At LHB, it’s second nature.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my three years of participating in MRPA’s mentorship program,” states Andrew Pimental, director of Eagan Parks and Recreation. “Each time I learn a lot about someone I haven’t known, learn a few things about myself along the way, and get a consistent reminder of why I chose parks and recreation as my career.” Pimental adds, “For MRPA to have a program that brings professionals of different ‘experience’ together, allowing each to learn from one other while also building a new friendship is awesome, and very much in line with who we are as professionals. And taking the time to grow in a parks and recreation career can be hard work. This is made easier with programs like the mentorship program where resources are shared, relationships are built, and professionals develop.”

This program was generously sponsored by the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation. A special thank you to mentorship committee members John W. Stutzman, Meredith Lawrence, Jenna Smith, and Jessica Christensen Buck.

By Terese Welch, Marketing Lead Commercial Recreation Specialists

Commercial Recreation Specialists Welcomes New Project Channel Manager, Ashley Walker, Expanding Solutions Expertise

Verona, Wis. - Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS), a leading provider of municipalgrade recreation solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashley Walker as their new Recreation Specialist and Project Channel Manager. With her background in Mass Communications and Marketing, specializing in sports broadcasting, along with valuable experience in hospitality and insurance, Ashley brings a unique skill set to effectively serve CRS’s clientele.

Based in northern Minnesota, Ashley will represent CRS in delivering comprehensive aquatic and land-based recreation solutions to a diverse range of clients, including municipalities, parks districts, school districts, and private markets seeking recreation solutions.

Ashley’s education and career experience uniquely qualify her to cater to the needs of both public and private sector clients, particularly in projects concerning Splashpads, playgrounds, shade structures, shelters, and lightning detection. With exceptional communication skills, she is wellpositioned to establish mutually beneficial strategic relationships and drive growth in the region.

Ryan Hartberg, CRS Vice President of Business Development, expressed his excitement, stating,

For over 25 years, CRS has been serving customers throughout the United States and the Caribbean, with offices in Verona, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. In addition to supplying highquality municipal-grade recreation equipment, CRS offers comprehensive services, including design, planning, installation, and operations. By tailoring recreation solutions to each client’s unique business goals, CRS has built a strong reputation among municipalities, schools, YMCAs, athletic facilities, sports venues, amusement parks, family entertainment centers, campgrounds, resorts, summer camps, zoos, and other recreation venues.

With the addition of Ashley Walker to their team, CRS is further positioned to meet the evolving needs of their clients and provide exceptional industry knowledge and expertise. The company looks forward to expanding its reach and continuing to deliver top-quality recreation solutions to a wide range of customers.

To learn more about CRS and their wide range of services, please contact their corporate office at (608) 848-8781 or visit their website at www. crs4rec.com.