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NEW ULM -- Longtime Park and Recreation Director Tom Schmitz was thanked for his nearly 18 years of service Monday by the Park and Rec Commissioners.
Monday was Schmitz's last Park and Rec meeting as director. He is retiring on Friday, April 28 after a 45-year career in recreation.
Park and Rec commission chairwoman Carisa Buegler said in his 45-year career, including 18 years at New Ulm's Park and Rec. Director, Schmitz has impacted many organizations and people. She said Schmitz improved the quality of life for countless people though his leadership and advocacy for parks and recreation.
Buegler cited recent comprehensive plan survey data, which showed Parks and Recreation were ranked high by nearly all survey takers. She believed this data reflected Schmitz's strong work for New Ulm citizens.
"On behalf of the commissioners and on behalf of our community, we are so grateful you fought for this community," Buegler said.
Commissioner and City Councilor David Christian said Schmitz was a pleasure to work with and he had a fantastic career.
Commissioner Jim Bastian thanked Schmitz for 18 years of making New Ulm a better place to live.
Commissioner Amy Johnson said she appreciated Schmitz's enjoyment of the job, the people he work with and the people he served.
Commissioner Kurt Johnson thanked Schmitz for creating a wonderful park system.
"You deserve every accolade you are getting," he said
"I am extremely thankful and grateful to have been a part of the New Ulm staff for nearly 18 years," Schmitz said. "My sincere thank yous go out to all the present and past Park and Rec. Commissioners, City Councilors, Mayors, volunteers and donors."
This was Schmitz's last Park & Recreation meeting, but he will be attending one more City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 18.
Schmitz is also being inducted into the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services (RPLS) Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held Friday, April 14 at Minnesota State University in the Centennial Student Union Ballroom.
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Recreation Program Supervisor Liz Malloy gave the commission a brief update on programming.
Malloy said she supervises all adult and youth programs. In terms of youth, this is sports programs, special events and day camps in the summer. The recent Easter egg hunts at the aquatic center and in North Park are an example of youth activities, both of which were well attended.
Adult programming is mostly the adult athletic leagues but also involves special events like the indoor garage sale at the Civic Center this coming weekend.
Malloy serves on several communities board as a representative of Park and Rec including United Way, Heart of New Ulm, Healthy Community Healthy Youth and Community Education.
Malloy was asked if she received any feedback on programming the community wanted to see through Park & Rec. Malloy said there was recent interest in starting a foosball league. Other programs have moved to open play, rather than from a league or association. Tennis was recently changed to an open format over the winter instead of operating through the Tennis Association. Similarly, Pickel Ball players manage themselves and do not require programming for Park & Rec.
Malloy said youth represent the highest program participation. The 10 and under age group is heavily involved. She said swimming was popular but also important. Malloy believed it was important swimming be offered as a life skill.
"I think everyone has a passion," Malloy said, "we just try to balance that out the best we can with budget and time."
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The New Ulm Bicycle Group requested and was approved to adopt a mile-long segment of the Recreational Trail from 3rd North to 3rd South. The activities in the adoption plan would be to pick up litter, trash, and debris in this section. The group donated $200 to place two signs on the segment.
This represents the second adoption of a trail segment. A 4-H group adopted a segment near Minnesota Valley Testing Labs. The city's recreation trail is 12 miles in length.