MRPA On the Air Podcast

Welcome to MRPA On the Air - a podcast for Minnesota Recreation and Park Association members and friends. Hosts Bryce and Meredith discuss everything parks and recreation throughout the entire state of Minnesota, including the latest MRPA news and events and what's going on in your association. MRPA is grateful to Landscape Structures and Flagship Recreation for their sponsorship of the podcast.

The MRPA On the Air podcast will kick off again in early 2025. Thank you to hosts Meredith Lawrence from the City of Mendota Heights and Reed Smidt from the City of Woodbury for being the hosts for the MRPA On the Air podcast. Below are the past podcast recordings:

Park Spaces and Playgrounds - June 2024

Join hosts Bryce and Meredith for a conversation with Greg Boatman from the City of Savage about designing park spaces and playgrounds.

Farmers Market - May 2024

Join hosts Bryce and Meredith for a conversation with Sierra Hietala from the City of Little Canada and Karen Wingard from the City of Elk River about Farmers' Markets.

Golf Course Operations - March 2024

Join hosts Bryce and Meredith for a conversation with Steve Anderson from the City of Roseville about Golf Course Operations.

Minnesota Recreation & Park Foundation - February 2024

Hosts Bryce and Meredith talk with Lisa Abernathy from the City of St. Louis Park about the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation.

Referendum Process - January 2024

Hosts Bryce and Meredith talk with MRPA Board President-Elect, Eric Carlson from the City of Apple Valley, about the referendum process.

Strategic Plan and 2023 MRPA Highlights - December 2023

Join hosts Bryce and Meredith for a conversation with MRPA Board President Jerome Krieger from the City of Blaine about the Strategic Plan. This episode also includes the MRPA 2023 highlights.

Annual Conference 2023
Join hosts Bryce and Meredith for a conversation with Katie Yandell from the City of Plymouth about the 2023 Annual Conference.

Race and Equity - October 2023 

Hosts Bryce and Meredith talk with Radious Guess with the City of St. Louis Park and Annie Olson with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

Capital Improvement Plans - September 2023 

Hosts Bryce and Meredith talk with Chuck Stifter, Parks and Recreation Director for Maple Grove.

Seasonal Employee Hiring - June 2023

Hosts Bryce and Meredith talk with Gina Brady, recreational program supervisor for the City of Roseville.

Park Maintenance - May 2023

Hosts Bryce and Meredith talk with Nick Jacobs, parks and recreation director with the City of Otsego.

MRPA 2022 Highlights - January 2023

Join hosts Bryce and Meredith as they review the MRPA highlights from 2022. 

Bison Return to Dakota County - January 2023

Join hosts Bryce and Meredith for a conversation with Dakota County Parks’ Tom Lewanski to learn about the reintroduction of a bison herd into the area.

A Conversation with the MRPA Board President and Conference Preparations - August 2022

Join hosts Bryce and Meredith for a conversation with MRPA Board of Directors President Ross Demant. Then, listeners will gain insights into this year’s MRPA Annual Conference preparations with Conference Committee Co-Chair Chelsea Swenhaugen.

Teaser Episode - May 2022

Get to know the MRPA On The Air’s hosts, Bryce Shearen and Meredith Lawrence and how they began in the parks and recreation profession. They’ll also share what listeners can expect from this new podcast.