“It was never just a job.”
Some people work in parks. Gina is parks.
Born and raised on the East Side of Saint Paul, she didn’t just grow up near the parks system—she grew up in it. Sports, mentors, community… it was all part of her everyday life. So when she was 17 and looking for a job, stepping into Parks & Recreation felt less like a decision and more like a continuation.
That was 1996. She’s been with Parks & Recreation ever since, evolving with the work and the community around her.
Where It All Started
She began as a Community Recreation Leader, the kind of role that puts you right at the heart of everything—after-school programs, coaching, connecting with young people, and showing up consistently. And somewhere in those early days, something clicked.
“I fell in love with helping my community… meeting people where they were at… and being a mentor in a different way.”
That idea—meeting people where they are—has stayed with her ever since.
I really enjoy that continuation… mentoring them in a different way.
Rooted in the East Side
When she talks about the parks that shaped her, there’s no hesitation. Hayden Heights—her neighborhood park growing up—still holds a special place. And Dayton’s Bluff, where her work, her family, and her education all overlapped, she describes as a kind of “campus community.” It’s where everything came together. For Gina, these aren’t just places on a map. They’re part of her story.
The Energy You Feel
Spend even a few minutes with her, and you start to understand why people talk about her energy. When asked how she would describe it, she doesn’t overcomplicate things.
“Joy.”
Not the loud, performative kind—but something quieter and more intentional. It shows up in how she greets people, how she moves through a space, and how she makes others feel.
“I want people to feel welcome… to feel safe… to feel part of a community.”
That sense of belonging isn’t something she leaves to chance. It’s something she builds—through small interactions, through consistency, and through a genuine commitment to the people around her.
Evolving What Parks Can Be
Over the years, she’s seen how the role of Parks & Recreation has evolved—and she’s been part of that evolution. While recreation is still central, the work now stretches far beyond programs and activities.
It’s about understanding the communities you serve, learning from them, and shaping spaces that reflect their needs.
“I really enjoy learning different cultures and backgrounds… whatever people are willing to share.”
Today, the spaces Gina helps lead are more than rec centers—they’re community hubs.
Places where people don’t just come to participate, but to access support, resources, and connection. Food distribution for hundreds of families. County services brought directly into neighborhoods. Systems designed to meet people where they are, rather than sending them somewhere else.
“We’ve been able to show up differently in our communities.”
The Park Bench Q&A
To wrap things up, I put Gina through a quick-fire round—no overthinking allowed, just instinct:
Morning or evening? Evening
Music or nature? Nature
Big group or small circle? Small circle
Tea or coffee? Coffee
Summer or winter? Summer
(Decisive, grounded, and exactly what you’d expect
More Than a Job
At the end of the conversation, one thing becomes clear. This isn’t just a career.
“This job is more than a job… it’s an extension of who I am.”
And after more than three decades, that faded—it’s only grown stronger.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve ever walked into a rec center and felt welcome…
If your child found a sense of belonging…
If you found support when you needed it most…
There’s a Gina behind that.
And Saint Paul is better because of it.
Park Bench Perspectives is a recurring series highlighting the people behind St. Paul’s parks. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for future conversations.