Our Strongest Supporter: Mark from the Parks

In Mansfield, we found our strongest partner in the City Parks and Recreation Department. One of parkrun USA’s newest event, Mansfield Ohio parkrun, completed its 14^th event this past Saturday with a total of 174 runners participating to date. The process to start parkrun  started about two years ago, but accelerated as the Manager of Parks and Recreation for the City of Mansfield, Mark Abrams, was engaged in the process.

Mark was brought into early conversations and planning, and he quickly committed the Parks department to funding the start up costs for Mansfield parkrun. He was able to see the benefit of bringing parkrun to one of the City parks, and in being part of the early parkrun growth across the US.   The reasonable cost of the program and attention that would be given to the City also enabled him to gain administrative approval to support the program. Mark and his department are always looking for activities that will bring people to the parks and offering a weekly run was an attractive new opportunity.  The volunteer structure of parkrun also meant that the Parks Department would not need to provide staff or oversight, another plus for tight budgets. Already Mark believes that parkrun has been well worth the investment for the City. It has brought many people to the park, and many who might not normally come to North Lake Park. Mark is very pleased with the start we have had in Mansfield and is confident that parkrun will only continue to grow.

Thank you, Mark, and the City of Mansfield, for your support!