The Michigan Recreation and Parks Association has a new president with the recent induction of Novi Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Director Jeff Muck.
mParks is the voice of Michigan’s parks and recreation community and is committed to proving parks and recreation matter; that they improve quality of life and contribute enormously to the economy. mParks provides advocacy, resources, and professional development opportunities to a devoted and diverse membership of over 2,500 park and recreation agencies, professionals, vendors, and advocates.
Muck started working in the parks and recreation field as a 14-year-old Little League baseball umpire in Adrian. Over the course of his career, he has been a camp counselor, youth sports coach, facility supervisor, recreation manager, special events coordinator, and held other roles in Madison, Wisc., Brighton, and Milford.
He has been the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Director in Novi since 2014, and oversees the operations of City-wide recreation programs; cultural services; activities, including youth and adult sports, events, and cultural arts opportunities; as well as park acquisition and development, and coordination of the maintenance program for Novi’s more than 1,400 acres of parkland.
In 2016, the Novi Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department achieved accreditation from the National Recreation and Park Association by the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies - CAPRA. Novi Parks joined one of three accredited agencies in Michigan and one of 175 nationwide to be honored with this prestigious distinction. CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for park and recreation agencies and is a measure of an agency’s quality of operations, management, and customer service. Achieving accreditation is a multi-year process which includes demonstrated compliance in the areas of planning; administration; human resources; financial management; facility and land use; public safety, risk management; and research and evaluation.
Muck is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Parks and Recreation Management. He has been a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional from the National Recreation and Parks Association since 2001 and has also served in several other leadership roles with the Michigan Recreation and Park Association prior to being elected President.
mParks Board Members are elected by a vote of the statewide membership of park and recreation professionals. Board Members lead the Association by executing the strategic plan, identifying advocacy priorities, and representing park and recreation professionals at a statewide level.
Founded in 1935, mParks - Michigan Recreation and Park Association is a non-profit statewide association committed to proving parks and recreation matter; that they improve quality of life and contribute enormously to our economy. mParks provides advocacy, resources, and professional development opportunities to a devoted and diverse membership of more than 3,000 park and recreation agencies, professionals, vendors, and advocates. Learn more at www.mParks.org.