Eden Prairie has named Amy Markle its new parks and recreation director, effective Monday, Oct. 16.
The city announced her hiring on Monday afternoon.
“We are thrilled to welcome Amy to the community,” City Manager Rick Getschow said in a media release. “Her vast experience and exceptional leadership qualities will serve Eden Prairie well as she guides the stewardship of our highly regarded and diverse system of parks, open space, and recreational amenities.”
Markle currently serves as the recreation services director for Richfield, where she has been employed for 20 years.
She has been the recreation services director since 2019. Before that, she served 15 years as the program coordinator at Richfield’s Wood Lake Nature Center. Earlier in her career, she worked in various roles for the National Park Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Colorado State Parks.
During her leadership at Richfield’s recreation services department, Markle oversaw projects including the construction of the community’s first dog park and its first inclusive playground. She also led Richfield’s sustainability initiatives and spearheaded an effort to raise funds for $24 million in improvements to the 150-acre Wood Lake Nature Center.
Markle succeeds Jay Lotthammer, who is retiring after spending 16 of his 35-year career serving as Eden Prairie’s parks and recreation director.
Reflecting on her new role, Markle said, “I am eager to carry on the strong tradition of excellent customer service, programming, and top-notch facilities that have made Eden Prairie a world-class park system. It is an honor to serve as the new parks and recreation director, and I can’t wait to meet my new coworkers and get to know the community.”
Markle earned her bachelor’s degree in resource management and biology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, a master’s degree in resource interpretation from Stephen F. Austin University, and a doctorate in education from the University of Missouri.
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