Park Agency Spotlight: Martinsville Parks and Recreation

The Indiana Park and Recreation Association had the amazing opportunity to hear about the Martinsville Parks and Recreation from its Superintendent, Stanley Wilson. Please read below to learn more about Stanley and Martinsville Parks!

What is your favorite memory at your park agency?

Making it through my first Fourth of July Fireworks show as Superintendent at Martinsville Parks and Recreation. Getting to see how the fireworks were set off and the huge crowd of people enjoying the music and fireworks was great to see.

How does your agency contribute to the community?

Martinsville Parks and Recreation has four Pickleball courts, 2 Basketball courts, a community Pool, splash pad, fishing pond, paved trail, unpaved wooded trail, dog park, 3 playgrounds and 8 shelters (4 of which are enclosed).

What special events is your park agency known for?

Fourth of July Celebration! For the Fourth of July Celebration we have multiple food truck come out to the event. In addition, we have live bands playing from 5 p.m. until the professional fireworks show is set off from the top of the hill. And Jimmy Nash Pumpkin Patch where we secure 150 pumpkins and spread them around the park field. Families can come get a free pumpkin and participate in games and contest for different prizes and awards. We also over snacks and cider for the participants.

What do you see for the future of your park agency? What are your goals?

We've really been focusing on operational improvements my first few months here. In the future we'd like to start adding more family friendly programs. Giving families more options of things to do with each other and within the parks.

Why do you choose to be a member of the Indiana Park and Recreation Association? How long have you been a member?

The networking is great. I've always been a firm believer in that I don't necessarily know it all, but someone else might. It's nice to be able to talk and meet with other professionals that are in the same field and being able to share ideas and thoughts.

How has your experience with IPRA benefited your park agency? What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your membership?

It's nice to see what other Parks and Rec professionals are doing. I think seeing others doing cool things really inspires us to do more things.