Time Flies.
Years ago, I set out on a career path dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities where I lived and worked, a piece of wisdom courtesy of the best role model I know, my father.
I started where so many in our field do, on the front lines, running youth and adult recreation programs. That chapter taught me core professional skills such as communication, organization, fiscal responsibility, and deep empathy. But it also taught me the most practical lesson of my career: after ruining far too many pairs of shoes trying to spread Diamond Dry on a soggy baseball field after a sudden downpour, always keep a spare change of clothes and shoes in your truck.
Fast forward through years of guiding facility discussions, crafting master plans, and learning alongside incredible peers and mentors, my appreciation for our field has only grown. Parks and recreation have always been vital to physical, mental, and social well-being, but our work has never been more valuable than it is right now.
Reflecting on my last 18 months at Eppley, I’m constantly humbled by how much I’ve learned and excited by how much ground there is still to cover. I am deeply grateful for our team: a smart, funny, collaborative, and endlessly innovative group fondly known as the "KC Band" (Kate, Kelli, Kristy, Kris, Colleen, Claire, and Clay!).
As we look ahead, our focus on research, education, training, and accessibility remains centered on one goal: helping partners improve quality of life in their communities. But this work isn't done in isolation. Whether co-designing accessibility audits, tailoring training programs, providing critical research data to support funding requests, or crafting strategic plans, we thrive on working side-by-side with agency partners across the nation. To our current partners, thank you for your trust. To future partners, we can't wait to see what we build together next.
Clay