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4 MINNESOTA Recreation & Parks | www.mnrpa.org <br />The last stop on my tour throughout the <br />state brings me to visit with MRPA On the Air <br />Podcast personality and Little Canada Parks <br />and Recreation Director Bryce Shearen. Little <br />Canada is located along the I-35E corridor <br />in Ramsey County. It has a population of <br />approximately 10,000 residents, nine city <br />parks and one county park. Bryce not only has <br />worked for Little Canada for the past 15 years, <br />with six years being the director, but he has <br />also grew up in Little Canada. Bryce started <br />off his career in Little Canada working in the <br />public works department for nine years before <br />becoming the parks and recreation director. <br />Little Canada’s parks and recreation <br />department has three full-time staff and two <br />part-time employees. As is the case with most <br />smaller parks and recreation departments, the <br />staff wear many hats not only within their own <br />department, but throughout the city. <br />The department updated their masterplan in <br />2018, and Bryce states that the masterplan <br />has been a valuable tool when working with <br />the city council and parks and recreation <br />commission when prioritizing construction <br />projects and programs. <br />A significant project for the department that <br />is currently in the works is a two-million- <br />dollar upgrade of the Pioneer Park Athletic <br />Complex. This project includes the installation <br />of a new playground and water feature, <br />enhancements to the landscaping that <br />include establishing new areas of prairie and <br />native plantings, the creation of a stormwater <br />re-use system for irrigation, and greater ADA <br />accessibility. One of the things that makes <br />this project unique was how the department <br />used the University of Minnesota to help <br />them engage the community to gather input. <br />Part of this input targeted youth from the <br />community. Through their engagement, the <br />U of M students found out some children <br />felt that the playground was too close to the <br />basketball and tennis courts. Bryce listened <br />to their input and relocated the playground <br />to create more of a buffer between the <br />playground and the play courts. <br />With so many employment opportunities in <br />the metro area, I ask Bryce what keeps him in <br />Little Canada. Bryce stated he is able to be <br />a part of a city that continues to make their <br />residents top priority is very rewarding. He <br />also says the current city council is great to <br />work with. He looks forward to accomplishing <br />many things during the next several years. <br />It was great to visit with Bryce and to learn <br />more about the Little Canada community. <br />I would also like to thank the MRPA <br />membership for allowing me to serve as <br />MRPA president over the past year. <br />FROM THE PAST-PRESIDENT <br />By Ross Demant, MRPA Past-President <br />On the Road: Little Canada