Welcome to the 2024 Special Park Districts Forum, I’m so excited you’re here! I have been with the Park District for over 25 years and have had the opportunity to work in many of our park locations and hold several different positions.  In my current position as the Guest Services & Events Manager I have the pleasure of managing our Events & Sponsorship, Community Events, Events Sales, and Reservations & Front Desk teams. Baker Park Reserve is my favorite park as I love “glamping” in my camper and enjoy all the park has to offer. In my free time, I love traveling and spending time with my 4-year-old nephew; being an auntie is by far the greatest gift. Fun fact: I have only missed attending the Minnesota State Fair two years out of my life. 

Hi everyone! In April of 2024, I will celebrate 23 years of service with the Park District. I have enjoyed working in the Finance and Maintenance fields before finding my place on our Design team. Spring Lake Regional Park is my favorite. This is where my husband and I play pickleball, walk the beautiful trails and have our four-legged family member play at the dog park. Fun Fact: Annually, my husband and I take a week-long motorcycle trip and travel across the country. So far we have seen Niagara Falls, the Black Hills, the Ozarks, Yellowstone, Estes Park and all-around Lake Superior. Looking forward to seeing you :) 

Since 2018, I have been with Three Rivers Park District specializing in events and group sales at Hyland Hills Ski Area. I love all things sparkly and enjoy spending time with my family. My favorite park is Hyland Lake Preserve, especially the trails. My husband and I walked miles upon miles there when we were first dating. Fun Fact: I was Miss Congeniality at a Junior Miss Pageant a zillion years ago! 

I first started working for the Park District in 2004 at Hyland Hills Ski Area. I then transitioned to our sales and events team in 2014. I plan and manage events at Gale Woods Farm and manage our Approved Catering and Preferred Vendor programs. I love spending time with my kids and getting outside. Hyland Hills was my home away from home for over 20 years. Fun Fact: I started downhill skiing when I was 3 and was a competitive racer from age 5 through high school with Hyland Hills being my home training hill. 

I started at Three Rivers Park District in 2013 and have worked at eight parks. I am currently the Park Operations Supervisor at Baker, Lake Rebecca and Crow-Hassan Park Reserves. I absolutely love the people I get to work with on a daily basis and working in my favorite park, Baker, truly makes my job one of the best positions in the Park District.  I enjoy exploring the outdoors with my kids, husband and crazy two dogs. Fun fact: I have been bungee jumping and sky diving. 

I began my career at Three Rivers Park District as a seasonal maintenance worker 28 years ago. I strive to provide great customer service and support the staff I work with. I keep a positive attitude and energy to make the most out of a day of work. In my spare time, I enjoy playing hockey, fishing and spending time with family and friends. It's difficult to pick a favorite location in the parks; the smell of early morning campfires in our campgrounds is always enjoyable, but I think I have to go with the hiking trails at Crow-Hassan Park Reserve.  Fun Fact: I play hockey one or two days a week all year round. 

I have been a naturalist at THE Lowry Nature Center (the first public nature center in the state of Minnesota) for 13 years. The Park District officially has me listed as an Interpretive Naturalist, but if you ask my wife what I do during the day she'd tell you I play. My favorite park is Lake Rebecca, mostly because its where they filmed parts of "Grumpy Old Men." While attending the Forum, if you'd like to strike up a conversation about the last, true sport in America, Professional Wrestling, I'm your guy. Fun Fact: I once ate 100 shrimp in one sitting. The number would've been higher, but my wife put a stop to the madness.

I have worked at Three Rivers Park District since 2007 in both Public Safety and Planning. As an avid cyclist, I enjoy all things bicycle related, including bike commuting, mountain biking, coaching youth mountain biking and general tinkering with bike mechanics in my garage. My favorite regional trails in the Three Rivers system are the Shingle Creek and North Cedar Lake trails which connect Minneapolis to the suburbs and beyond. Fun Fact: Before joining the Park District, I worked for nine years as a Tennessee State Park Ranger. 

I am the Office Support Assistant at Elm Creek Park Reserve and have been with Three Rivers Park District since 2020. I specialize in helping guests with their park needs and interests. I'm passionate about getting outside and breathing the fresh air. If it requires a helmet, I'll likely participate. I love kayaking, hiking, biking (MTB & Road), camping, reading a good book and being with my family, including our two cats and new pup. My favorite park is Silverwood Park. I love the history of this park, its local flair, being able to grab a cup of joe at the bistro, chill in a lounge seat and gaze out at the lake. Fun Fact: I have jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, and I can roll a whitewater kayak. 

I have worked at Three Rivers Parks for 16 years as a graphic designer and have lived in this beautiful state for most of my life. Growing up in northern Minnesota, I was exposed to everything that it has to offer. From spearing fish in a river to towing behind a snowmobile on a snowboard, I’ve done it! I took a 5-year hiatus to sample Colorado but quickly realized that the land of 10,000 lakes beats the mountains any day of the week. When I’m not golfing at Baker National, I’m spending time with my family at our lake cabin, soaking in the rays and riding the waves. Fun Fact: My team and I took 3rd place in the Minneapolis Red Bull Flugtag. Our craft still ranks in the top ten best vehicles of all time...The Griswold Family Truckster.   

I have been working in wildlife management at the Park District for over 17 years, and it has been gratifying to watch the changes take place over that time. Habitat is key and at Three Rivers, this work is completed by both in-house staff and by utilizing grants. Crow-Hassan is by far my favorite park, it is a place where I can be on the prairie watching a Blanding’s turtle lay eggs and simultaneously listening to Henslow’s sparrows sing. Moments like this make me think “Here I am in Hennepin County, one of the most populated counties in Minnesota, and I have two state-listed endangered species around me!” I have a specific interest in restoring and maintaining prairie and wetland habitats, as well as working with mammal and bird species. Fun Facts: My family and I are involved in the 4-H wildlife and shooting sports programs. And, I own cattle, giving me the opportunity to manage private farmland.     

I work with departments and resources across the park district to put on large-scale events that bring community members and partners out to our parks to celebrate nature and recreation in all seasons. I have been part of the Three Rivers team since 2022, and my favorite park is Lake Minnetonka Regional Park. Outside of work, I love to teach yoga, catch live music and explore nature through hiking and kayaking

I’ve been fortunate to lead the Department of Marketing & Community Engagement at Three Rivers since 2015. I manage an amazing team of passionate people who love nature, are committed to public service and like to have fun; what more could I ask for! My favorite places in the Park District are the driving range at Baker National Golf Course and Fish Lake Regional Park (especially in the fall). Outside of work, I’m a busy mom spending most of my time driving kids from one activity to the next. Fun Fact: I love crowds and people watching. Disney World and the Minnesota State Fair are two of my favorite places.