Have you ever wondered, “Who are the people behind the scenes planning programs, cleaning parks, writing grants, and teaching kiddos?” Welp, you’re in luck! On this page, we’re highlighting the People of PLAY—the folks behind the scenes at Play Roanoke doing the dang thing! We won’t bore you with the regular ol’ interview kind of stuff. We ask the hard-hitting questions (like what’s your favorite condiment) to get to the essence of each person. Check them out below.
Michael Clark, Director of Parks and Recreation
How long have you worked for the department? 13 years
What’s your favorite part of your job? The park planning portion of my job is my favorite. I enjoy working with citizens and staff members to improve and further develop the park system, making Roanoke that much more livable.
What’s your favorite condiment? Duke’s Mayonnaise
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? Coconut
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? I’m equal parts Ron Swanson and Leslie Knope. I have Ron’s desire for self-reliance and efficient operation (and terrifying presence) but Leslie’s love for public service.
Favorite food? Sirloin Steak
Favorite book? The Call of the Wild by Jack London
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite college or pro team? Virginia Tech (college), Carolina Panthers (pro)
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Hands down the hardest, yet most rewarding, thing I’ve ever done is be a dad.
What are your hobbies? Climbing, Cycling (mountain and road), Fishing, Overland Camping, Paddling (canoe, kayak, and SUP), Swimming, Triathlon, and Weightlifting
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween. Bumblebee
Favorite gift you’ve ever received: One of my kids’ homemade book of advice for what to do when I’m angry, sad, etc.
Name a bucket-list item of yours. Visit all 63 US National Parks
How many push-ups can you do? (approximately) 30
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? Mason Mill Park
If your life depended on you winning some sort of competition, what competition would you choose? Duke’s Mayonnaise-Eating Contest
Fun fact about yourself: I grew up a comic book nerd and still have hundreds of comics from the 1960s to the 1990s.
Laura Reilly, Landscape Management Coordinator
How long have you worked for the department? 2 Years
What’s your favorite part of your job? Definitely the people I work with daily.
What’s your favorite condiment? I don’t really have one.
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? I HATE ALL THINGS PUMPKIN!
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? I have never watched Parks and Rec!
Favorite food? Seafood, sno-cones and red velvet cake.
Favorite book? My favorite authors are David Baldacci, Dick Francis & J.K. Rowling (of course!). My favorite Horticulture author is Tracy DiSabato-Aust, ‘The Well-Tended Perennial Garden’.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? This is way too hard of a question….
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite college or pro team? VT Hokies!
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Most years I attempt to bake the cake on the December cover of Southern Living. I have had some pretty spectacular results! Maybe not the hardest thing I have done, nor my biggest accomplishment, but definitely a fun challenge that I look forward to.
What are your hobbies? Gardening, golf, reading, & cross-stitching
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween. Tube of Crest toothpaste
Favorite gift you’ve ever received: My King Cobra golf clubs – and my fluffy down comforter
Name a bucket-list item of yours: To see an epic concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) Like the orange ones? I can totally do 3 or 4 of those.
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? The Wildflower Garden on Mill Mountain… and the garden in Elmwood… and the garden at Fishburn Mansion.
If your life depended on you winning some sort of competition, what competition would you choose? Maybe plant identification…
Fun fact about yourself: I enjoy volunteering with a local winery, pruning the vines, harvesting, and working events.
Ryan Shazor, Outdoor Recreation Supervisor
How long have you worked for the department? 3 months
What’s your favorite part of your job? Seeing a someone enjoy themselves while trying a new activity.
What’s your favorite condiment? Hot Sauce
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? No avocado for me
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? Donna Meagle
Favorite food? Tacos
Favorite book? Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising by Timothy Zahn
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? SpottieOttieDopaliscious by Outkast
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite college or pro team? Liverpool F.C.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Graduate High School (I was a severe procrastinator)
What are your hobbies? Eating, Reading, Biking and Climbing
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween. Lenny Kravitz
Favorite gift you’ve ever received: Insulated Slippers
Name a bucket-list item of yours. Rappelling out of a helicopter
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) 20
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? Morningside Park
If your life depended on you winning some sort of competition, what competition would you choose? Visually identifying chain restaurant pizza
Fun fact about yourself: I’ve tried 22 different sandwiches at Macado’s
Kat Andrew, Outdoor Recreation Coordinator
How long have you worked for the department? 7 Years
What’s your favorite part of your job? The people!
What’s your favorite condiment? Franks Red Hot
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate (or vice versa)? Um, I will always love pineapple on pizza!
Favorite food? Oysters but if I were choosing a favorite food to eat everyday it would be sushi!
Favorite book? I’m not sure I can pick one.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? I have way too much music ADD to pick one song! But if I were picking an artist it would probably be Jimmy Buffett, I can always use some beach vibes to take me on a mini mental vacation!
Tacos or Sushi? Sushi
Favorite college or pro team? Ehh I don’t really watch sports, but growing up it was UNC only because my Dad hated them.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Given birth
What are your hobbies? Baby Shark, Legos, toddler dancing, and puddle jumping…oohh ohh you mean my hobbies…Backpacking, biking, stand up paddleboarding, crafting, and baking to name a few.
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween. Ooh good one. I dressed my dog as Batman and I dressed as Robin one year in college.
Favorite gift you’ve ever received. Is there anything more adult than a washer and dryer?? Most fun favorite gift was Avett Brothers tickets and a SUP Paddle however!!
Name a bucket-list item of yours. Backpacking the JMT and W or Q Trek in Patagonia with my daughter!
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) 25-30
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? It’s hard to top Carvins Cove for me!
If your life depended on you winning some sort of competition, what competition would you choose? Mario Kart on Nintendo 64. Bring it!!!
Greg Thompson, Park Management Coordinator
How long have you worked for the department? 
5 years
What’s your favorite part of your job? Spending my time in our Parks
What’s your favorite condiment? White/YumYum Sauce
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? Everyone loves pickles and I absolutely hate them.
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? Ben Wyatt
Favorite food? Breakfast food aka bacon
Favorite book? The Harry Potter series
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chris Brown – Run It!
Tacos or Sushi? Sushi
Favorite college or pro team? NC State Wolfpack
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? I completed a “pancake eating challenge” at a breakfast restaurant once. I didn’t eat for a few days after that but it was absolutely worth it.
What are your hobbies? Playing with my 2 kids
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween. Halloween is the worst of all the holidays; so I definitely don’t dress up for that.
Favorite gift you’ve ever received. Nothing specific but I always have liked gifts that are an experience as opposed to a thing; so like tickets to a sporting event or concert.
Name a bucket-list item of yours. Visiting a rain forest
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) Consecutively probably 30 but if we are talking about over the course of a lifetime…thousands.
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? Highland Park
If your life depended on you winning some sort of competition, what competition would you choose? Probably some sort of lawn game like cornhole/bucketball/kanjam
Fun fact about yourself: I once broke my nose when someone opened up a swinging cafeteria door in high school but they opened it very aggressively into my face.
Kelly Brammer, Special Events Supervisor
How long have you worked for the department? 4 months!
What’s your favorite part of your job? I love having creative freedom to dream up fun events for our community and also making sure event organizers have the tools they need to be successful.
What’s your favorite condiment? Blue cheese dressing
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? Coffee (I can already feel your judgement)
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? Leslie Knope
Favorite food? Ice cream
Favorite book? A Court of Thorns and Roses
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? “The Story” by Brandi Carlile
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite college or pro team? Philadelphia Eagles
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Moved away from my family and hometown.
What are your hobbies? Travel, home decorating/DIY projects, reading, shopping…
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween. Tied between Princess Peach or a Mermaid (I made both of those costumes)
Favorite gift you’ve ever received. My engagement ring
Name a bucket-list item of yours. I want to go skydiving.
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) Correct push ups? Approximately 1…on a good day
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? Murray Run
Dylan Scott, Athletics Programming Supervisor
How long have you worked for the department? 10 months
What’s your favorite part of your job? The co-workers
What’s your favorite condiment? Raising Cane’s Sauce
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? Ranch
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? Ron Swanson
Favorite food? Watermelon
Favorite book? How Good Do You Want To Be? A Champion’s Tips On How To Lead and Succeed by Nick Saban
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? “Sunday Best” by Surfaces
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite college or pro team? Philadelphia Eagles
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Finishing my Master’s program or getting engaged
What are your hobbies? Golfing
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween: Luke Combs
Favorite gift you’ve ever received: Christmas trip to Tennessee
Name a bucket-list item of yours: Learn to play the guitar
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) Good question…
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? Highland Park
Stephanie Long, Marketing Coordinator
How long have you worked for the department? About 5.5 years
What’s your favorite part of your job? I absolutely adore the people I work with, and I get to have a hand in making where I live a better place.
What’s your favorite condiment? Texas Pete’s
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? Don’t even get me STARTED on how overrated nachos are.
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? Ann Perkins
Favorite food? Either cake or hamburgers
Favorite book? I’m a former English teacher, so I’ve narrowed it down to three: To Kill a Mockingbird, The Kite Runner, or The Godfather
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? “Float On” by Modest Mouse or Duran Duran’s “Ordinary World”
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite college or pro team? Hokies!
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? I would say training for and running a half marathon, but I think it’s living with a toddler.
What are your hobbies? Sports (playing and watching), crafting, exercising, eating and drinking tasty things!
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween: The Majestic Mullet Kolsch guy from Parkway Brewery
Favorite gift you’ve ever received: A Nokia brick cellphone when I was 16 (my older millennials will know what I’m talking about. They had the different faceplates you could switch in and out).
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) Non-stop? Probably 20ish
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? This is a tough one… but I guess Wasena Park
If your life depended on you winning some sort of competition, what competition would you choose? Getting the lyrics to songs completely wrong (unintentionally)
Fun fact about yourself: I am an excellent burper, and I went to college on a softball scholarship.
Lauren Woodson, Community Recreation Coordinator
How long have you worked for the department? 7 years
What’s your favorite part of your job? The variety of programs and special events I get to be a part of
What’s your favorite condiment? Ranch
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? Riding a bike
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? Donna Meagle
Favorite food? Smores or Chicken Parm
Favorite book? I don’t really like to read
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? Something by Cher
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite college or pro team? Virginia Tech Hokies
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Completing the Aquatic Facility Operator course and earning my certification
What are your hobbies? Art; watching crime and murder documentaries
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween: It was never about the costume…it was about the candy!
Favorite gift you’ve ever received: I didn’t realize it at the time, but my Apple Watch has been the most useful gift and has made life easier
Name a bucket-list item of yours: Swim with Sharks
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) probably like 3
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? Century Plaza
If your life depended on you winning some sort of competition, what competition would you choose? Packing the car for a long trip
Fun fact about yourself: I am a Disney World fanatic; I can say the Pledge of Allegiance in Latin
Leola Edwards, Administrative Assistant III
How long have you worked for the department? 3 months
What’s your favorite part of your job? I enjoy the environment and getting to greet everyone as they walk in with a smile!
What’s your favorite condiment? Ranch Dressing
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? In my experience People seem to love texting! I do not, I’d rather talk to people the phone or in person!!
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? Not sure haven’t watch the show, YET!!
Favorite food? Ribeye Steak
Favorite book? Presence by Amy Cuddy
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? Luke Combs’s “Forever after All”
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite college or pro team? Tennessee Titans!
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Raising 4 kids!
What are your hobbies? Expanding my knowledge in D.E.I. and continuing professional growth!
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween: Box of Crayola Crayons
Favorite gift you’ve ever received: Coffee mug with lid
Name a bucket-list item of yours: Visiting Europe
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) 0
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? Huff Lane Park
If your life depended on you winning some sort of competition, what competition would you choose? Eating competition!
Fun fact about yourself: I have 2 cats that I love like my children
Patrick Boas, Recreation Manager
How long have you worked for the department? 8 years
What’s your favorite part of your job? Seeing Positive Change in our Community
What’s your favorite condiment? Texas Pete
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? The color Orange. I do not like it.
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? Li’l Sebastian
Favorite food? Pizza
Favorite book? Courage of the Mountain Man
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? Talking Heads – This Must Be The Place (Naïve Melody)
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite college or pro team? N/A
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Being a Dad – also most rewarding, but very difficult at times.
What are your hobbies? Mountain Biking, Snowboarding, Camping and balancing my budget spreadsheet.
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween: Captain Jack Sparrow
Favorite gift you’ve ever received: Lego Pirate Ship
Name a bucket-list item of yours: Overnight Rafting Trip somewhere out West.
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) 1,000
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? Rivers Edge South
If your life depended on you winning some sort of competition, what competition would you choose? Sleeping
Fun fact about yourself: When I was younger (age 13) I was asked to go play soccer over in England on a developmental team.
Cindy McFall, Parks Manager
How long have you worked for the department? 16 years
What’s your favorite part of your job? Seeing the community enjoy the programs and amenities the department offers
What’s your favorite condiment? Duke’s mayonnaise
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? Jello
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? Leslie Knope
Favorite food? Blue crabs and Natty Bo
Favorite book? The Shellseekers
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? “Dock of the Bay”
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite college or pro team? Baltimore Ravens
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Raising my children
What are your hobbies? reading; gardening; travel
Name a bucket-list item of yours: Travel to Alaska/Take an Alaskan Cruise
Favorite Halloween Costume: Either black-eyed peas or I was the rock in a Rock, Paper, Scissors group costume
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? Fern Park
Renee Powers, Trails and Greenway Coordinator
How long have you worked for the department? 8 years
What’s your favorite part of your job? building trails!
What’s your favorite condiment? ketchup
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? Red Starbursts
Favorite food: Seriously Sharp Cabot Cheddar Cheese
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite Book: Where the Crawdads Sing
Favorite Pro or College Team: Penn State football
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Climbed the Grand Teton in Wyoming
What are your hobbies? whitewater kayaking, skiing, mountain biking, trail running
Favorite Halloween Costume: I’m kind of lame about Halloween. I’ve been a pirate for the last 15 years. However, I really excited about my dog’s Halloween costume because it’s a dinosaur 🙂
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? Carvins Cove
Name a Bucket-List Item: I always try to live life to the fullest and take trips and travel. I don’t think of something as a “one and done” on a list. If it’s awesome, I want to come back and do it again.
Samantha Matson, Urban Forestry Supervisor
How long have you worked for the department? 17 months
What’s your favorite part of your job? My favorite part is collaborating with the Tree Stewards, a group of dedicated volunteers who help plant trees all over the City. It’s great working with individuals who are just as concerned with increasing our canopy coverage as I am.
What’s your favorite condiment? I don’t know if this counts as a condiment but maple syrup. It makes anything 10x better.
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? Sushi… I just can’t get behind raw fish
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? Champion the three-legged dog. I’m just happy to be here:)
Favorite food? Bagel Sandwich! (My regular is a bacon egg and cheese at R.T. Smith’s)
Favorite book? The Harry Potter series
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? “Psycho Killer” by the Talking Heads
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite college or pro team? Hokies!!!
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Graduating college during a pandemic
What are your hobbies? Hiking, painting/crafting, music
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween: A skunk
Favorite gift you’ve ever received: a Taylor guitar given by an ex-boyfriend. Thank you, Josh!
Name a bucket-list item of yours: Visit Alaska
Susan Herndon-Powell, Youth Development Coordinator
How long have you worked for the department? Nearly 4 years
What’s your favorite part of your job? Getting to work with so many amazing people in the community and our department, and helping people get outside!
What’s your favorite condiment? Avocado spread or hummus
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? watermelon (I try it every year and hope I will like it, but it never changes!)
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? Leslie Knope
Favorite food? Tacos!
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? Anything by Brandi Carlile on repeat
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite college or pro team? Georgia Bulldogs football and Kentucky Wildcats basketball
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail
What are your hobbies? backpacking, gardening, biking, hiking, hanging out with my son, paddling, working on my house, trail maintenance
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? Mill Mountain
Davern Dooley, Administration Assistant III
How long have you worked for the department? 20 months
What’s your favorite part of your job? Assisting staff and citizens
What’s your favorite condiment? Texas Pete’s hot sauce
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? The ringing of the downtown church bell
Favorite food? Italian
Favorite book? The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? Karma Chameleon by Boy George
Tacos or Sushi? Sushi
Favorite college or pro team? No favorites
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? childbirth
What are your hobbies? crocheting and creating fiber art
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween: Madea from Tyler Perry movie
Favorite gift you’ve ever received: Kindle
Name a bucket-list item of yours: Ride in a hot air balloon
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) 2
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? Blue Ridge Parkway
If your life depended on you winning some sort of competition, what competition would you choose? crochet competition
Fun fact about yourself: I adopted a child through foster care
Will Cole, Maintenance Supervisor of River's Edge Sport Complex
How long have you worked for the department? I’ve been with the City for five years, but in this department since August 2021
What’s your favorite part of your job? Being outside in the sports complex and meeting new people
What’s your favorite condiment? Chick-Fil-A sauce
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? Fried chicken
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? Fun fact: never have watched Parks & Rec
Favorite food? Anything from Chick-Fil-A
Favorite book? The Notebook
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? “How Far We’ve Come”- Matchbox Twenty
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite college or pro team? Penn State or Chelsea FC
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Went from couch to half marathon in 7 months
What are your hobbies? Soccer, fishing, RUNNING, biking
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween: Firefighter
Favorite gift you’ve ever received: My kids
Name a bucket-list item of yours: Run the New York City Marathon in my Dad’s honor
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) 30
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? River’s Edge Sports Complex
If your life depended on you winning some sort of competition, what competition would you choose? Designing mowing patterns for sport fields
Fun fact about yourself: I can fall sleep standing up! Also, a soon to be 10-time, half-marathon runner
Katie Slusher, Park Planning and Development Coordinator
How long have you worked for the department? At the time of filling out this form, an impressive tenure of 15 days.
What’s your favorite part of your job? Hard to say so far, but it’s definitely not online training
What’s your favorite condiment? Honey
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate? I should not say something this controversial so early in my time here, but this is my truth: stand-up paddleboards
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? Li’l Sebastian
Favorite food? Pie
Favorite college or pro team? My #1 sports loyalty is to ice cream served in tiny helmets.
What are your hobbies? riding bikes, skiing, sewing, over-committing to home improvement projects
Favorite gift you’ve ever received: a Persian rug
Name a bucket-list item of yours: I’d like to see the northern lights
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) approximately…not as many as I used to be able to!
If your life depended on you winning some sort of competition, what competition would you choose? Karaoke
Fun fact about yourself: I play the harp!
Matt Allenbaugh, Environmental Education and Mill Mountain Park Supervisor
How long have you worked for the department? 4.5 years
What’s your favorite part of your job? I love teaching outdoor/environmental education classes
What’s your favorite condiment? Frank’s Red Hot
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? I don’t watch tv more than a couple of hours per year so I’ve only seen a few episodes. I’m kinda curmudgeonly, so maybe Ron Swanson but I don’t know most of the other characters.
Favorite food? My mom’s homemade Stromboli
Favorite book? This is tough and depends on my mood and what I need at that time maybe The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, maybe Tribe by Sebastian Junger, Shop Class is Soul Craft by Matthew Crawford, Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari was really impactful when I read it. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson inspired me to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono is one I go back to several times per year, and A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold is another.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? “Story of My Life” – Social Distortion
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? The hardest things in my life have been seeing family members suffering or in pain.
What are your hobbies? All things outside and active (backpacking, hiking, trail running, mountain biking, cyclocross, canoeing, gardening) and strength training
Favorite gift you’ve ever received: I was gifted an AT mug after finishing a season working with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. It was the most appreciated I’ve ever felt for the work that I did. That was my favorite job. The mug has little monetary value but the genuine appreciation I felt, and still feel, was immeasurable.
Name a bucket-list item of yours: Thru-hike of the Pacific Northwest Trail. It’s a 1200-mile trail that goes from Glacier National Park in Montana to Olympic National Park in Washington.
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) 50 or so
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? Carvins Cove
If your life depended on you winning some sort of competition, what competition would you choose? I can drink a beer faster than most. I think that’s really my only life saving talent.
Fun fact about yourself:
Samantha Dickenson, Athletics Program Coordinator
How long have you worked for the department? 7.5 years
What’s your favorite part of your job? Getting to meet so many new people.
What’s your favorite condiment? Honey Mustard
What’s something everyone seems to love that you hate (or vice versa)? I love pineapple on pizza….
Which Parks and Rec character do you most identify with? I’ve never watched Parks & Rec
Favorite food? My Mom’s broccoli and cheese casserole
Favorite book? Alone in Wonderland
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? Michael Franti: Good Day for a Good Day
Tacos or Sushi? Tacos
Favorite college or pro team? Boston Red Sox
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done (or biggest accomplishment)? Finished a marathon with no training… 100% Do not recommend
What are your hobbies? Exploring Rail Trails on my bike, hiking, sitting by my firepit, sipping beers, chillin with my dog
Favorite thing you’ve dressed up as for Halloween: Operation Game
Favorite gift you’ve ever received: My Dad made me a coffee table for Christmas
Name a bucket-list item of yours: See the Northern Lights
How many push ups can you do? (approximately) 0.5
What’s your favorite park/plaza/greenway? Kennedy Park
If your life depended on you winning some sort of competition, what competition would you choose? I feel like I should say Math or Cardio but I think we all know it is Sarcasm that will save my life 🙂
