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2—Focus News—Tues.,Marc h 23,1993
<br /> He 's got agreen thumb w
<br /> nthparks
<br /> mien Hills'
<br /> Buckley3
<br /> 1
<br /> retires after —�
<br /> 20 years
<br /> ERtN MANGAN r
<br /> H
<br /> f
<br /> After 20 years on the job,John
<br /> Buckley can be sure he left his
<br /> mark in Arden I fills.
<br /> Buckley helped plant and nurture
<br /> the city's park system as locals
<br /> now know it
<br /> Buckley.Arden hills'first parks
<br /> and recreation director,retired
<br /> March 12 after two decades of ser- ;may'
<br /> vice to the city.
<br /> •ihroughout his tenure,he took
<br /> delight in crraling Arden lfills' ��" •
<br /> now extensive parks and trails sys-
<br /> tern mid in observing residents' use r '
<br /> and care for the parks and recre-
<br /> ation programs.
<br /> been a thrill just watching
<br /> lh lopment of the programs Photo by Pnul DeNlarchi
<br /> p g Arden Eiill.S Par
<br /> ks and Recreatio
<br /> n Director
<br /> and parks;'Buckley slid. for John Buckley retired recently,but he may continue his
<br /> love of outdoor recreation by developing parks for the Peace Corps.
<br /> Buckley,the city's first parks
<br /> and rcL7cation director,guided All the programs"have dome an
<br /> parks and recreation progrmns With all the green and open space we have ill through a time of enormous awful lot for adding and creating a
<br /> growth in the city. the park system, in 20-25 years when all the high quality of living in Arden
<br /> o r As the community developed available space is pressured into developing, 1lills. Recreation provides ppor-
<br /> and the population grew from Arden Hills will be a real green space,for the (unities for a person to escape the
<br /> 5,500 to 10,000,"I had the oppor- stress of the workday and for youth
<br /> (unity to develop tlic natural envi- whole metro area. People will value and and adults to learn new or improve
<br /> ronment within the community," cherish the oppOH1111ity 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 down the block to appreciate the avenues of interest always growing
<br /> master plant for the city which natural areas within their community." and developing,"he said.
<br /> emphasized the creation of a The recreation program"will
<br /> neighborhood park system. —John Buckley always have a strong emphasis on
<br /> In 1973,Arden I lilts 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 bail. Trxl;ry,there are 13 looking out for the parks and trails Arden I lilts be Vrur offerinp; pr°grams for women,girls and die
<br /> t b (dull entire tinnily and,fill dic need for
<br /> parks,two nature preserves and (pointing out what)needs repair. softball leagues for residents and special interest activities,he said. �
<br /> five miles of tra ils within tiie city. This has been very helpful. It's employees of the larger companies Buckley has watched some of
<br /> "What we tried to do within our dicir park,they want to bike care of located in the city. the children who once participated
<br /> parks is create both active play it;'he said. The city then added basketball, in those recreation programs grow
<br /> arms—jungle gyms,ball fields— Buckley has left residents wish softball,and lee ball leagues for up and choose to stay in the city as mid passive arem...so people could spaces he believes they will covet boys and girls,sunnner playground adults.
<br /> enjoy Une quiet,"he said. in the future. activities and al'terschool pro- "Being in the same community
<br /> 'ire trails are also very important "With all the green and open grains. for lire last 20 years, it has been fun
<br /> because die public does make use space we have in the park system, "We have found that softball or watching the kids who have partic-
<br /> Uncm.he said. in 20-25 years when all the avail- tee ball is a famil affair,mom and
<br /> Y� ipatcd in programs hccornc
<br /> to see all kinds able space is pressured into devel- dad, brothers and sisters and randg healthy,productive adults active in
<br /> *scinating
<br /> on the trails,older peo- oping,Arden Bills will be a real parents are out there watching the commillees and anxious to give
<br /> ple,families pulling a wagon or green space for the whole metro children play,"he said. back somediiiig to-die communi-
<br /> pushing a buggy,younger children area People will value mid cherish Will) it'"emphasis on participa- ty"he said.
<br /> roller skating mid biking,joggers, the opportunity of going out their lion rather than on winning(and a) Buckley plans to continue to
<br /> serious walkers,"and people just back door or down the block to strong group of volunteer parent give back to the community during
<br /> looking for some peace,he said. appreciate the natural areas within coaches,((lie leans)give parents his retirement.
<br /> 'The diing about John is he tried their community,"he said. the opportunity to watch the chil- Ile is looking at possibly joining
<br /> to make sure the parks were clean. As the nnnnInrinn orrv,nn.r:f. .r..,..,1,... 1_ ____
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