Park considers intern and assistant director

The Creston Parks and Recreation board is looking to add more positions to their department. Along with a director, the board hopes to create a part-time assistant director and summer intern role.

Board member Katie Turner explained some of her findings after researching these positions in other Iowa cities.

“I got on the Iowa Foundation for Parks and Rec, and it’s fantastic,” Turner said. “I found job descriptions for a recreational intern this summer. It’s got some pretty good stuff on it, about the stuff that we want done,”

Some of the listed tasks include working on recreation programs, updating websites and social media and assisting in special events. Turner also suggested using the intern for activities that would make the city money.

“Honestly, I think that if we came in at $11.50 an hour, if we have them work the concessions stands, if we have them at the pool, if we have them help with rec activities, they’ll probably pay their own wage,” Turner said.

While money made from these events would go to the city’s general fund rather than to the parks and rec, Turner believes this money might convince the city that an intern is worthwhile.

In regards to a part-time assistant director, Turner said it would likely have to work as a seasonal position, based on a conversation with Creston City Administrator Mike Taylor.

“I talked to Mike Taylor on this. We can have them work as many hours and make as much money as they want for three months,” Turner said. “Getting two more people in there to help out with any kind of festival, any kind of fundraiser, any kind of rec, is what I was thinking of.”

While no official decisions were made, the board agreed to review the specifics of the positions at their next meeting, with the hopes of adding them to the budget before it is approved.

In other park news...

The board plans to apply for the Endow Union County Grant, with hopes of fixing up the bandshell in McKinley Park. The expected cost is a minimum of $13,000, with the board planning to ask for half that amount in grant form.

The board’s annual comedy night takes place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Creston Eagles Club. Dante Powell will perform following a prime rib dinner and auction.