2002-06-05 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The Anoka County Parks and Recreation Deparbnent properly manages all Infected oak wood and effectively utIIJzes the wood by processing it into fIrewoOd that is used at the Rice Creek OIa1n of Lakes and the Bunker HDIs campgrounds. ThIs past winter, a private firewood processor was hired to effldently process the oak logs Into high quality firewood. After the firewood is processed, the Anoka CountY CorrectIons crews bundle the wood and stack the bundles onto panets for effeclive transport to each of the campground sites. Approximately 200 cords of firewood was processed this past winter which will provide quality firewood for several thousand campers this season. Rangers Services The Park Ranger Mounted Patrol Unit has again started a busy season with Mounted Patrol Advisor Sharon Thompson leading the Waf. Sharon has been instrumental in assisting with the wonderful progress the unit is making. We have worked into the season with a new Lead Mounted Patrol Ranger, Teresa Caroon. Teresa worked as a Bunker Park Ranger and as part of the Mounted Patrol last Sl.D1Imer and has worked since last fall maintaining and exercising the horses in preparation for a great summer. This season we also gained Amber Peterson as part of our Mounted Ranger team. Amber has been an employee at Bunker Stables for the last several years and has a lot of experience to add to our unit. I would like to take this. opportunity to thank Sharon, Teresa, and Amber for the many hours they have volunteered to make this unit a ~ccess. A.lot of time and energy goes into not only maintaining the ham and the horses, but also into grooming, outfitting, loading, trailering, and unloading the horses for each event they attend. Pictured left to right are Joe Korn:ar - Bike Patrol, Amber Peterson - Mounted Patrol, Teresa Caroon - Mounted Patrol, and of course Rhapper and Mandy w\u) helped at the Spring Clean-up at Wargo Nature Center. As the new season starts the Mounted Patrol has already been a big success at the first event of the season. Horses Rhapper and Mandy were road by Teresa and Amber on 5aturd~, Apri12(1k for Earth Day. As usual the Rangers and horses were very popular with the community. The next event they will attend is the Kids fishing clinic on Ma( 4th. They will be helpful for patrol and as usuaJ a big hit with the kids in the community. We are looking forward to a great summer with many parades and events included into the patrol schedule of the mounted unit. Darrell Niedert - Featured Employee , Darrell Niedert has "been with Anoka CoWlty Parks and Recreation as a Park Maintenance Supervisor since 1997. While working in the southern division, Darrell has managed the maintenance and redevelopment projects at some of the busiest parks and trails in the system. He enjoys working in the outdoor setting providing facilities and amenities that thousands of people can enjoy. He especially enjoys the satisfaction of observing the fruits ofhis crew's Jabor as projects are created and completed in an aestheticalIy pleasing fashion. Darrell has managed the maintellance and redevelopment projects at some of~ busiest parks and trails in the system. Like a lot of people, Darrell is from Iowa. Bom and raised in Sumner, Darrell is used to farm life and a strong work ethic. His first home had no running water or central heat. His father was in the military and the family had several moves incluOing stoPs In Massachusetts, -Ohio, ana Virginia. Darrell joined the army for two years and was stationed in Texas and Korea. While in the army he played tuba in the rmll: Cavalry Band After the service Darrell spent time in Houston, Texas at horticuIture school and working in landscaping. From there he made it back to Iowa working for a development company in Waterloo. He performed maintenance on apartments and condominiums as well as the groWlds work. He oQtained licenses for heating and cooling, boilers, and a host of other mechanical certifications. He caught on with the City of Waterloo Recreation department and worked for ten years performing all facets of park and building maintenance. From there he became the . Grounds Crew Foreman at Luther College in Decorah for 3 years. He and his :fumily made the big move north to work for the MoWlds View School District prior to coming to Anok1 CoWlty. At MoWlds View Darrell supervised maintenance efforts for I S buildings consisting of over one-miIIion square feet and sixty employees. Darrell and his wife Bonnie have two daughters, Amanda and Megan. Amanda has a two year-old son, Zach. Megan will be graduating from Ir9ndaIe this spring. Bonnie is a Registered Nurse working in Utilization Review Coordinator for Medica. Darrell and Bonnie were high school sweethearts back in Sumner. When not at work (which isn't very otten), Darrell enjoys working! He always has a project at home whether it's remodeling, gardening, a retaining wall or whatever, he has to be on the move. We are glad he has settled in with Anoka CoWlty and contributed so much to the Park Maintenance Unit. Page 6