RELEASE: Saint Paul Parks and Recreation hires new Great River Passage manager
City of St. Paul sent this bulletin at 08/29/2016 03:16 PM CDTFor Immediate Release
August 29, 2016
Contact:
Clare Cloyd
clare.cloyd@ci.stpaul.mn.us
612-760-5074 (c)
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation hires new Great River Passage Manager
Department aims to advance key principles and goals of the Great River Passage Master Plan
SAINT PAUL-- The City of Saint Paul Department of Parks and Recreation announced today that it has hired a new manager to oversee its Great River Passage Initiative. Mary deLaittre has been selected to lead the Great River Passage Initiative team, which will be tasked with developing and implementing a work plan that drives progress on the goals laid out in the Great River Passage Master Plan. The Great River Passage Master Plan is based on three guiding principles, which are to make the river more natural, more urban and more connected. The Great River Passage Initiative team will also be tasked with helping to advance specific projects laid out in the plan such as the River Balcony and the Environmental Learning Center at Watergate Marina.
"I am excited to welcome Mary to the team," said Mike Hahm, Director of Parks and Recreation. "The Mississippi River is Saint Paul's greatest environmental and economic asset and I have full confidence that she will be a great leader to continue the work to make the river more accessible for all the city's residents."
deLaittre brings with her proven expertise in realizing complex civic projects. Projects range from developing and managing RiverFirst, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board led revitalization of 5.5 miles of the Mississippi River, to most recently working with the City of Wayzata in developing and implementing a strategy to realize Lake Effect Park, the enhancement of the Minnetonka lakefront, and the private funding partner Lake Effect Conservancy. She also served as Executive Director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, where she transformed the organization to focus on its new mission, creating the Next Generation of Parks™.
"I am honored and excited to lead this bold and important initiative and look forward to working with current and future stakeholders to advance the principles and goals of the Great River Passage Master Plan," said Mary deLaittre, Great River Passage Manager. "The opportunity to help define the central role of this great river is something I am very passionate about, and I am happy to be a part of the team."
About the Great River Passage Initiative
The Great River Passage Initiative is the result of an award-winning Great River Passage Master Planning Process, a transformational vision that sets the stage for the next chapter of ecological and economic revitalization along the Mississippi River in the City of Saint Paul. The Great River Passage is the product of a 2 year process, involving staff, professional consultants, elected officials, community groups, and interested individuals that resulted in a detailed description guiding the next generation of investments along the City’s 17 mile river corridor. In March 2013, the Saint Paul City Council voted unanimously in support of the plan, and key elements of the plan, organized around the themes of “more natural, more urban, and more connected” were then adopted by the Metropolitan Council as part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Read more about the Great River Passage Initiative.
About Saint Paul Parks and Recreation
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is a nationally accredited and gold medal award-winning organization that manages over 170 parks and open spaces, AZA-accredited Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 25 city-operated recreation centers, more than 100 miles of trails, an indoor and two outdoor aquatic facilities, a public beach, a variety of premium sports facilities, municipal golf courses, and Great River Passage – which is the new identity for all proposed public development along Saint Paul’s more than 17 miles of Mississippi riverfront. For more information on Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, visit www.stpaul.gov/parks.
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