New park directors becoming seasoned
After weathering Minnesota’s longest season as directors of two Bridgeland parks, Choua Thao and Debra DeRosa are making the final turn into their first full year of overseeing programming at what are important hubs of activity for their respective communities.
Thao took over at Luxton Park in Prospect Park in November after a short spell as interim director; DeRosa came on at Matthews Park last September.
Choua Thao, Luxton Park
“It’s a very challenging job, but I love it,” said Thao. “It’s really different every day; I never know what to expect.”
Thao, who received a philosophy degree from the University of Minnesota in 2001, replaced former Director Eric Cherland, who moved to Bottineau Park in Northeast Minneapolis. Thao knew Luxton and some of its kids already, having worked previously for the Park Board’s Youthline program at various centers.
Thao’s favorite part of her new job carries over from that work, “connecting with the young people that come into the building,” she said. “Having them come into my office and talk to me … about whatever’s going on with their lives.”
Communication is a priority, she said — not only with youngsters, but building community among the people that live around and use the park. “We have the Glendale neighborhood, which is public housing, and right across the street is Prospect Park, which is middle-class to upper-middle-class families, and then we have the U of M,” she said.
“Bridging all the communities is one of the goals I’m working on.”
Thao hopes to do that by “meeting people, finding out where they’re coming from and what they’d like to see the park system offer for them,” she said. Still, she knows it will take some time, as will getting used to the job.
“I’ve been told that to get used to everything takes a year, so that you go through all four seasons, with all the sports, for instance” she said, adding that she has to “not get impatient, and remind myself: ‘OK, this is my first time going through this.’”
Debra DeRosa, Mathews Park
DeRosa shares similar joys and challenges with Thao. Although her education and experience have prepared her for the job, it comes with a new community and activities.
DeRosa holds a degree in sports and recreation management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. From there, she moved to California, where she ran a community center, as well as a senior center, before returning to her native Minnesota, where her family lives. (She hails from White Bear Lake and currently lives in Edina.) DeRosa has also worked in the nonprofit sector in the area of communications and donor relations.
Even though the winter and winter sports are nothing new to DeRosa, coordinating them was a learning experience. “This is the first season I’ve been in charge of hockey programs and an ice rink,” she said with a laugh, acknowledging the welcomed challenge. “That was a new experience.” Now, DeRosa is excited about the spring and summer weather, as well as the new round of sports and activities.
She said her favorite part of the job so far has been getting to know the community. “What’s exciting about working in this center is that I’m able to work with all age groups, per-school to senior citizens,” she said. The center draws people to her, especially children, through whom she naturally becomes acquainted with the parents, as well. She also reaches out from Matthews, by attending neighborhood meetings, for example.
While coming into a new community has been a joy, she called another side of that coin the greatest challenge in her new role. Establishing relationships sometimes can take a while; “being able to assess what’s currently going on and establish what the community is looking to expand,” she said.
DeRosa hopes to redevelop the park’s former athletic council and, in turn, increase participants in sports and activities, she said.
last revised: June 18, 2008