KC Parks employees honored Director Mark McHenry for 40 Years of Service to Kansas City, MO Parks and Recreation at an Awards Breakfast held May 20 at the Swope Park Bandstand.
More than 200 employees unveiled specially-designed T-shirts featuring a caricature of Director McHenry in a surprise tribute. Special guests– including current and former Parks Board Commissioners, City Manager Troy Schulte, and National World War I Museum and Memorial Director Matt Naylor–commented on Mark’s accomplishments, leadership and dedication to our City and KC Parks.
Deputy Director Terry Rynard summarized, “Mark started as a summer intern and helped Vernon Jones build the original animals at Penguin Park. He was also responsible for the construction of the new Zoo, eight new community centers, the Village at Shoal Creek, the improvements to Brush Creek, I am not sure how many fountains–but certainly the first two up north and the Bloch Fountain–renovations to Liberty Memorial and World War I Museum. He averages 75 hours of work a week so in man-hours he has really worked 75 years!”
A total of 25 employees celebrating 390 years of continuous service to KC Parks were recognized at the breakfast including:
FIVE YEAR AWARDS
NATURAL RESOURCES
South Region: Marcus Hunter
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Centers: Jon Lindsay
Lakeside Nature Center: Kimberly Hess
TEN YEAR AWARDS
NATURAL RESOURCES
Central Region: Karen Redmond
Forestry: Roy Howard
South Region: Gregory Harris
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Centers: Anthony Parks
PLANNING/DESIGN SERVICES
Planning: Jimmi Lossing
Park Facility Maintenance: Cecil Winters
FIFTEEN YEAR AWARDS
NATURAL RESOURCES
Central Region: Michael Music
Central Region: Marcel Chism
Loose Park Gardens: Christi Huffhines
South Region: Kenneth Monroe
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Centers: Kristin Harmon
PLANNING/DESIGN SERVICES
Park Facility Maintenance: Ed Shaw
Planning: Richard Allen
Planning: Rebecca Hadjian
TWENTY YEAR AWARDS
NATURAL RESOURCES
South Region: Mark Danielsen
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Centers: Lesa Lewis
Community Centers: Helston Singleton
PLANNING/DESIGN SERVICES
Park Facility Maintenance: James Smith
Planning: William Warren
TWENTY-FIVE YEAR AWARDS
NATURAL RESOURCES
South Region: Edward Rollins
THIRTY YEAR AWARDS
PLANNING/DESIGN SERVICES
Park Facility Maintenance: Barbara Scott
FORTY YEAR AWARDS
ADMINISTRATION
Director: Mark L. McHenry