The Town of Parker is blessed to have an award-winning Parks and Recreation Department that offers something for everyone. From beautiful parks and an extensive trail network to world-class recreation facilities and programs, Parker Parks and Recreation has done an outstanding job of keeping up with our growing community.
Meet Alex Eaton, Special Projects Analyst. Alex is one of the talented staff members who keeps Parker Parks and Recreation on the cutting edge. Among her duties is steering the department toward national accreditation, an honor achieved by only 1% of peer agencies across the country. Please take a few minutes to learn more about what Alex does for our community!
How long have you worked for the Town of Parker? Where did you work before Parker?
"I have worked for the Town of Parker since I was 18. I worked at H2O’Brien Pool as a Guest Service Representative each summer when I was home from college. In 2010, when I returned to Parker, I worked part time in several interim positions before becoming the Assistant Facility Coordinator at the Parker Fieldhouse. In 2013, I became a Sports Coordinator and then transitioned to my role as Project Analyst in August 2016."
Tell us about your job and how it impacts the Parker community.
"My primary responsibility is guiding our Parks and Recreation team through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) accreditation process. This process will ensure that all of our operations, programs and services are in line with nationally established best practices. I also oversee our seasonal operations for the Ice Trail at Discovery Park."
What do you most enjoy about working for the Town of Parker?
"My favorite part of working for the Town of Parker is the people I work with. This is by far the most exceptional group of people and professionals anyone could help to work with."
What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?
"I have broken my femur."
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
"I am an avid cyclist and snowboarder."
What’s one thing that you feel sets Parker apart from other communities?
"Parker has many of the accommodations and services of a big city, but still maintains the friendly/personable feel that is expected in a small Town."
What is the most interesting place you’ve ever visited?
"Florence, Italy"
What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
"Peanut Butter :-) "
If you could do another job for the Town of Parker for just one day, what would it be?
"Director of Parks, Recreation and Open Space. I’d like to be Jim Cleveland for a day. :-) "
What’s one thing about working for the Town of Parker that you didn’t expect?
"The opportunity for professional growth within the Parks and Recreation Department and the way professional development is encouraged."
What accomplishment are you most proud of since you started working for the Town of Parker?
"The 2011 National Gold Medal our Department won from the National Recreation and Park Association."
What is the strangest thing that you have experienced while working for the Town of Parker?
"Shortly after I had started full time at the Fieldhouse, the fire sprinklers in the doorway froze and exploded in the doorway. There is no way to stop the water once they go off, so the entire system drained between the automatic doors, and (co-worker) Andy Fraser and I spent hours squeegeeing and using a Shop-Vac to clean it up."