October 2023 Spotlight Professional

Samuel Howarth –  Key Peninsula Metro Park District

Describe the scope of your position in parks and recreation.

As the Parks and Facilities Manager for Key Pen Parks, I manage our maintenance team. Our maintenance team of seven staff is small but mighty. They maintain all our parks and facilities. This includes over 1,000 acres of open space and parkland including playgrounds, a splash pad, multi-use trails, waterfront properties, caretaker properties, baseball fields, picnic areas, dog parks, restrooms, disc golf, basketball court and skate park. My job is to make sure they have everything they need to be successful

How long have you been with your present agency?

8 months in October.

What did you do before your previous role? (Background experience and previous careers)

While receiving my B.S. degree in Environmental Science and Management from the University of Rhode Island, I worked as a temporary Groundskeeper for Rhode Island State Parks. I then did an internship with the National Park Service in Jacksonville, Florida as a Biological Assistant. Once that internship was completed, I did an internship with The Nature Conservancy in Florida as a Conservation Steward. This led to a full-time job with the Nature Conservancy as a Conservation Technician. During this time, I received my M.S. degree in Park and Resource Management from Slippery Rock University (online program). I then worked for Charlotte County, Florida as an Environmental Land Management Specialist. Next, I headed West and worked for Kitsap County Parks in Washington as a Natural Resources Coordinator. Finally, my current position is with Key Pen Parks as the Parks and Facilities Manager.  

How have you participated in WRPA?

I found my current role’s job positing on WRPA’s job board

What inspires you about the parks and recreation field?

My favorite thing is to see park users enjoying our parks and facilities, from children climbing our playgrounds, adults hiking our trails, and dogs running at our dog parks.

What is one creative solution you and your team have applied to a professional challenge?

Changing processes that depended on paper. A lot of our daily forms were all done on paper and submitted to me at the end of each day. I soon saw an issue once I was running out of space to store all these documents. I digitalized staff’s daily checklists utilizing Microsoft Forms. I also changed the daily mileage/inspection/fuel logs to monthly. Rather than receiving them each day, I collect them once a month. I will also digitalize these forms as well to cut back on our paper consumption. 

Considering what you’ve learned throughout your career, what advice would you share with someone starting out in the parks and recreation field?

Working in Park’s is a competitive field. When you’re in high school, volunteer as much as you can at your local parks. If you attend college, apply to as many internships as you can. Try to do an internship during summer break. This way when you graduate college, you will have work experience on your resume rather than solely a degree. This will put you one step ahead of many of your classmates. Then apply to everywhere, see new places, travel. You’ll most likely start at an entry level position. Work hard, listen, be professional and continue to learn. Take advantage of opportunities when they’re presented

What is one of your favorite moments as a parks and recreation professional?  What was your job title?

I was an intern for close to two years at different park agencies. When I was offered a full-time position working at parks it was very satisfying. Being an intern can be tough. You’re never sure about your future and you’re always tight on money. When I accepted a full-time job that included housing and benefits, it was very rewarding.  

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