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2—Focus News—Tues.,Marc h 23,1993
<br /> He 'sgot agreen thumb
<br /> with parks
<br /> -den Hills'
<br /> �* a
<br /> t
<br /> y �
<br /> Buckley _:
<br /> retires after �-
<br /> .
<br /> 20 years
<br /> ERIN MANCAN
<br /> After 20 years on the job,John 1
<br /> Buckley can be sure he left his
<br /> ri •
<br /> mark in Arden i fills. �
<br /> Buckley helped plant and nurture
<br /> We city's park system as locals`
<br /> now know it.
<br /> Buckley.Arden}fills'first parks
<br /> and recreation director,retired
<br /> March 12 after two decades of ser-
<br /> vice to the city. 4
<br /> 'ilhroughout his tenure,he took g'
<br /> delight in creating Arden ifills'
<br /> now extensive parks and trails sys-
<br /> tem and in observing residents' use
<br /> and care for the parks and recre-
<br /> ation programs.
<br /> ,Akas been a thrill just watching
<br /> t ell meat of the programs Photo by Pnul DcMnrchi
<br /> p p g Arden Hills Parks and Recreation Director John Buckley retired recently,but he may continue his
<br /> an parks,"Buckley said. love of outdoor recreation by developing parks for the Peace Corps.
<br /> Buckley,the city's first parks
<br /> and recreation director,guided All the programs"have done an
<br /> parks and recreation programs "With all the green and open space we have titdiroug awful lot for adding and creating a
<br /> growth in the city.a time of enormous the park systent, ill 20-25 years when all the high quality of living in Arden
<br /> rowW As the community developed available space is pressured into developing, Hills. Recreation provides oppor-
<br /> luniti
<br /> to
<br /> and the population grew from Arden Hills will be a real green space for the stresseof o e workday and person
<br /> apeyouth de 5,500 to develop"t had the oppor- for tunny to develop the natural envi- whole m People w
<br /> petro area. P lill value and and adults to leans new or improve
<br /> l
<br /> ronnnent within the community," cherish the opportultity of going out their back old skills,"Buckley said.
<br /> he said, "i see the need to explore new
<br /> Buckley began by creating a
<br /> door or dowlt the block to appreciate the avenues of in(eresl always growing
<br /> master plan for the city which natural areas within their community." and developing,"he said.
<br /> enhphasized the creation of a 'Ilhe recreation program"will
<br /> neighborhood park system. —John Buckley always have a strong emphasis on
<br /> In 1973,Arden I fills had only youth."it will continue to provide
<br /> two parks,the land for two others "People call on a weekly basis said, afterschool programs,to develop
<br /> and one trail. Tcx1ay,there are 13 looking out for the parks and trails Arden i fills Ix: uh offering adult programs for women, is ii and the
<br /> arks,two nature reserves and o' o enlirc f'int r and,till the need id.
<br /> P p (pointing out what)needs repair, softball league for residents and special interest activities,he said.
<br /> five miles of trails within the city. 11his has been very helpful. It's employees of We larger companies Buckley has watched some of
<br /> "What we tried to do within our their park,they want to uhke care of located in the city. We children who once patrticipaled
<br /> parks is crcale both active play il;'he said. The city then added basketball, in Wore ra7eatiou programs grow
<br /> areas—jungle gyms,ball fields— Buckley has Icft residents wild softball,and Ice ball leagues for tip and choose to stay in We and passive areas...so people could spaces he believes Wey will covet boys and girls,summer playground adults. city as
<br /> enjoy We quiet,"he said. in the future. activities and afterschool ro-
<br /> 'line trails are also very important "With all We green and open grains, p Being in We same community
<br /> because We public does make use space we have in(he park system, "We have found Ihat softball or for the Iasi le years, it has been fun
<br /> then,he said, in 20-25 years when all the avail- ace ball is a familyaffair,mcnn and watching the kids who have partic-
<br /> ascinaling to see all kinds able space is pressured into devel- dad,brothers and sisters and rand- h a healthy,
<br /> , programs become
<br /> grand- healthy,productive adults active in
<br /> of a on tine trails,older pco- oping,Arden I fills will be a real parents are out Were watching tie commit(ces and anxious to give
<br /> plc,families pulling a wagon or green space for the whole metro children la he said.
<br /> pushing a buggy,younger children area People will value mid cherish With an"emphasis on arlici a- back someWing to.We connnhuni-
<br /> rollcr skatingand biking, p P' p� ty,"he said.
<br /> • g,joggers, the opportunity of going out Weir tion rather Wan on winning(and a) Buckley plans to continue to
<br /> serious walkers,"and people just back door or down We block to strong group of volunteer parent give back to We community during
<br /> looking for some peace,he said. appreciate We natural areas within coaches,(the leans)give parents his retiremem.
<br /> 'The Wing about John is he tried their community,"he said. We opportunity to watch We chit- Ile is looking at possibly joining
<br /> to make sure We parks were clean. As We nonulalinn vrew nerd it, _
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