When Trace Stevens was a boy growing up in Paducah, he could play on the Noble Park playground, skip rocks or fish on the lake, swim in the pool or just do “park stuff” just about any old time he wanted.
Because he lived only two blocks from that park, he can hardly remember a time when a park wasn’t part of his life.
In fact, parks are still very much a part of Stevens’ life since he is the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Henderson, a position he’s held since April 2014.
“Back then there was an actual amusement park at Noble Park so we would spend summers trying to scrape up enough money for cotton candy or hot dogs or something,” Stevens said. “I had, and still have, a real connection with that park because it was a close, safe place for us neighborhood kids to play and explore and enjoy being a kid.”
These days Stevens works to create those same experiences for a whole new generation of kids.
It shows. This year for the second consecutive time, the City of Henderson earned the Playful City USA designation from national non-profit organization, KaBoom!
KaBoom!’s mission is to create places to play, to inspire communities to promote and support play and to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives.
Stevens said the City of Henderson is making strides not only in including all children in the community when planning community parks but also in renovating existing parks and playgrounds in the Henderson Parks and Recreation system.
Central Park and Newman Park are getting accessible playground equipment this fall, and Sunset Park is getting new swing sets.
The 24 public spaces maintained by the City offer 35,000-square-feet of playgrounds, a golf course, a swimming pool (with wading pool, water slide and waterfall), a downtown water feature, basketball courts, tennis courts, disc golf course, soccer fields, skate parks, baseball fields, a dog park and the just-opened Canoe Creek Nature Trail.
Stevens’ very first job was as a day-camp instructor in Paducah’s Parks & Recreation Department. He worked part-time in that department throughout his high school and college days at Murray State University, where he majored in elementary education and English, and eventually ended up as a full-time employee as a recreation specialist.
Stevens worked his way through a variety of jobs and responsibilities in Paducah and Florida before moving to Henderson with his wife Cindy and sons Seth and Samuel.
He is a Certified Parks and Recreational Professional (CPRP) and Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI).
He has held offices in the Kentucky Recreation and Parks Society including secretary, finance chair, and president. He was one of five chosen from across the U.S. for the 2006 National Recreation and Parks Association Young Professional of the Year.
“I really enjoy the opportunity to do something that directly affects people in a positive manner,” Stevens said. “Every day is a little different.”
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