February 2024 - Parks and Recreation - 34

30 UNDER 30
Katelyn Brazell, 30
Recreation Superintendent, City of Fredericksburg (TX)
Katelyn Brazell leads the recreation division at the City of Fredericksburg (Texas) Parks and Recreation.
In her role, Brazell transformed the park headquarters from a part-time operation into a
cohesive team comprising three full-time and two part-time employees. She led an overhaul of
the aquatics division, ensuring municipal pools met state codes and enhancing water quality,
equipment and facilities. Brazell also played a pivotal role in fostering stronger community engagement
by partnering with local public and private schools and private sports organizations
to streamline field, court and pool usage. This collaboration facilitated increased interest in
recreational sports within the community.
Courtney Burns, 28
Sustainability Coordinator, Borough of Quakertown (PA)
As parks coordinator for the Borough of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, Courtney Burns' mission has
been to create and upgrade park spaces that dissolve barriers for her community, ensuring safe, inclusive
spaces for all to recreate. Specifically, Burns prioritized accessibility for children with diverse
abilities, which culminated in the creation of an all-inclusive playground through collaboration with
KOMPAN Inc. She also introduced a new community garden and a refreshed pollinator garden.
With these spaces, Burns has connected with local institutions and agencies to educate on and
implement environmental initiatives. Through grant writing and research efforts, she has secured
more than $500,000 in funding to redevelop park spaces and upgrade existing infrastructure.
Alina Cabrera, 26
Recreation Leader - Athletics and Wellness, Passaic County Parks
and Recreation (NJ)
Before Alina Cabrera joined Passaic County (New Jersey)
Parks and Recreation in July 2022, the department was
failing to properly engage its Hispanic/Latino population
whose first-spoken language wasn't English. Cabrera, who
is of Dominican descent and a Passaic resident, took it
upon herself to translate all of the department's outreach
messaging to the community into Spanish.
As a result, the number of Hispanic/Latino
participants in Passaic
County's programs skyrocketed.
She also researched the
median household incomes
of the
residents
in
the
county to ensure every
child has the ability to
attend park and recreation
programs by
making them affordable.
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Parks & Recreation | FEBR U AR Y 2 0 2 4 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
Haley Colucci, 28
Marketing and Communications Manager, Oak Brook Park
District (IL)
As the marketing and communications manager at the
Oak Brook Park District (OBPD) in Illinois, Haley Colucci
centers her work around environmental sustainability, DEI
and professional development. She has assisted with initiatives,
including paper-shredding events, bee apiary upkeep
and the creation of the " Supporting Our LGBTQ
Youth " video. Colucci also has made
membership forms more inclusive
by removing questions
that ask participants their gender
or their relationship
to
their emergency contact and
helped plan a " Diversity Job
Fair. " Currently, Colucci is
assisting OBPD's DEI team
with the creation of a tool
kit for employees who are
transitioning in the workplace.

February 2024 - Parks and Recreation

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