February 2024 - Parks and Recreation - 33

I
t's that time of the year again, when Parks & Recreation magazine celebrates
a new group of young professionals who have raised the bar even
higher for the park and recreation profession due to their extraordinary
work in the field. These 30 individuals join a relatively small, yet prestigious,
club comprising just 90 other young park and recreation professionals
who have been inducted into the program since its inception in 2021.
The 30 Under 30 recognition program is a joint effort by the NRPA Young
Professional Network and Parks & Recreation magazine, honoring 30 of the top
young professionals who serve as everyday champions in their communities.
This year, we received more than 100 nominations representing 26 states and
four Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs around the world.
The scoring committee evaluated the nominations on one or more of the
following criteria:
* Impact on the agency's community and service population
* Contributions to the professional development of the field of parks and
recreation
* Innovative ideas, programs or research in the field of parks and recreation
Below are the profiles of this year's outstanding Parks & Recreation 30 Under
30 inductees. These exceptional and diverse professionals have accomplished
so much in their early park and recreation careers. And, at the pace that they're
going, it's clear their best work lies ahead of them. Congratulations, Class of
2024!
Jaimie Belch, 25
Therapeutic Research Specialist, Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreation Department (VA)
Jaimie Belch is Isle of Wight County (Virginia) Parks and Recreation Department's first-ever
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Her passionate advocacy for people with disabilities has
led to the creation of therapeutic recreation programs that improve quality of life with recreation
and leisure as key components. Her Summer Blast-No Limits for youth and Sunny Smiles Day
Camp for adults programs offer fun and positive experiences that increase awareness of skills
and abilities, as well as build self-esteem. Belch also created the RISE (Resilient-IndependentSocial-Empowerment)
program, which affords adults with disabilities a chance to socialize,
learn independent living skills and recreate.
Thank You to Our 30 Under 30
Scoring Committee
Neelay Bhatt
Next Practice Partners
Ryan Eaker
City of Austin (TX)
Angel Ferrara, CPRP,
AFO
Wyandotte County (KS)
Nate Jaramillo
Clark County (NV)
Roslyn Johnson, CPRP
City of Annapolis (MD)
Dr. Tiffany Johnson,
CPRP
City of Seattle (WA)
Sarah Larson, CPRP
City of Bristol (CT)
Michele Lemons
Chicago Park District (IL)
Katie MacCammon,
CPRP
City of Fairfax (VA)
Lisa Paradis, CPRP
BerryDunn
John Penn
City of Douglasville (GA)
Paula Sliefert
The Toro Company
Anne-Marie Spencer
PlayCore
Hashim Taylor, CPRP
City of Cedar Rapids (IA)
Erin Bonikowske, 30
Adaptive Recreation Specialist, City of Brooklyn Park, Recreation and Parks Department (MN)
As the adaptive recreation specialist, Erin Bonikowske has expanded services and program opportunities
to individuals with physical, intellectual and cognitive disabilities; severe allergies; behavior
concerns and other inclusion needs in City of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and the surrounding
community. Bonikowske enhanced adaptive and inclusion program policies and procedures, as
well as an individualized inclusion in-service training for all program areas to train staff members
in best practices to assist all abilities in recreational programs. She has expanded community
partnerships with Courage-Kenny, Reach for Resources, community group homes and the Osseo
Area School District. Bonikowske also partnered to create and implement the first All-Abilities
Resource Fair in Brooklyn Park.
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February 2024 - Parks and Recreation

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