My mom worked at the local rec centre.  After soccer practice I would ride my bike to meet her and watch the rest of the lacrosse games for the night.  It was pure joy being in that energy.  When she had to work Saturday mornings I would tag along and attend hockey drop-in for 4 hours!!!  Being at the local centre was just a normal part of my childhood.

Upon graduating from University my mom advised me not to work for the municipality as there was a glass ceiling for women; she also introduced me to the community development coordinator who offered me a volunteer opportunity. I started to help and then was offered a job.

I thought it was not possible to love what I was doing and make a living. I took the job and found it was my dream job programming for youth and seniors. Every job since has been my dream job and now I find myself making a living at what I just naturally fell into. 

Glass ceiling smashed!!

Trisha Davison served as BCRPA President from 2019 - 2021. Trisha also served as a Director from 2013 - 2017 and President-Elect in 2018.

Trisha has worked in the municipal parks, recreation & culture field since the 1990’s in the communities of New Westminster, Rossland, and Trail. Her experience in the field is vast and has centered around the unique needs, opportunities, and challenges facing smaller communities in the province.

Trisha takes a holistic approach to recreation service delivery, providing new ways of looking at the challenges facing organizations while nurturing the needs of the community she serves.  

Trisha’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Kinetics, a Master’s Degree in Leadership, and several program certificates from Capilano University focusing on Local Government Administration. She is currently pursuing a graduate certification in Strategic Human Resource Management.

If there was one thing I am most proud of from my time on the Board, it would have to be my involvement in our professional Association at a time when the sector was dealing with the single greatest impact to our services in its history – the pandemic. Watching and supporting the leadership of the Association soar and seeing our profession pull together was truly inspiring! I am so proud to have been a part of it and to see what we could make possible together.

Jennifer Wilson served as BCRPA President from 2017 - 2019.

Jennifer is passionate about utlizing recreation to foster healthy individuals and families to have a sense of pride and belonging in their communities. She is grateful every day for the opportunity to contribute to the quality of life for all and to support her staff to thrive.  

Her career spans many different roles and sectors. She started her career as a professional community planner in the private and public sector. However, it was when she when she shifted into the parks, recreation and culture sector that she found her personal and professional niche. Here she was able to directly impact the quality of life for individuals, families and community; activate ways to create a sense of community and belonging; and provide meaningful opportunities to bring people together to affect positive change.

Jennifer established a consulting firm which broadened her focus beyond community planning, parks, culture and recreation to other key sectors including health, education, economic development, early childhood development, and technology development. Her work has taken her to many locations (ranging from small remote communities to large cities in the US) and for a variety of clients (including private sector companies and regional, territorial, provincial, federal and first nations governments.)

Jennifer received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Masters of Community and Regional Planning from the University of British Columbia.

In her term as President, Jennifer focused on three areas. One was to ensure the Board had the competencies to achieve the Strategic Plan and provide excellence in leadership. The second was to ensure BCRPA was delivering value to the membership. Jennifer reached out and connected to our members in a variety of ways, and the path forward reflected what was important to the members. Lastly, she also worked very hard to build a positive and collaborative relationship with the Recreation Facilities Association of BC.

Heather Turner served as BCRPA President from 2016 - 2017.

Heather has worked in the municipal recreation, culture and parks sector for over 4 decades; 26 years in various roles with the City of Regina and 17 years (so far) as Director of the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission.

Her professional career has been supplemented by many volunteer experiences on boards of recreation, sport, and community service organizations in addition to BCRPA, including the Saskatchewan Recreation Society, Canadian Parks & Recreation Association (two different stints), Sport BC, and Diving Canada to name a few.

Heather is passionate about the impact of recreation, culture, and park opportunities in supporting individuals and families to live their best possible lives: active, inspired, creative, and connected. She feels privileged to have had opportunities to learn, grow and contribute with amazing people in our field.

I am very proud to have been President of BCRPA with a fantastic group of board Directors from across the province, to have been involved in the selection of Rebecca Tunnacliffe as our CEO, to have listened to our members, and improved relationships with several of our allied organizations.

Darryl Condon served as BCRPA President from 2015 - 2016. He also served as BCRPA's Board Director from 2012 - 2015, and Past President in 2017.

Darryl is interested in design that acts as a catalyst for positive social change. As Managing Principal at Vancouver-based architecture and design studio, hcma, he has created successful public spaces across Canada, including community centres, swimming pools, ice arenas, and high-performance sport facilities.

Darryl’s work over the past 30+ years has been recognized internationally for its design excellence with more than 80 awards, including three World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards. He has lectured extensively on a wide range of issues related to sport and recreation infrastructure across North America, Europe and Australia.

Most recently, these talks have focused on designing for social impact, inclusion and accessibility, wellness, and the future of community recreation.

Darryl is a registered Architect, a LEED-Accredited Professional and a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. He is a Past-President of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia and an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.

Ron Higo served as BCRPA President from 2014 - 2015. Ron has also served the Association as Regional Fitness Director from 1985-1987 and Board Director from 1995-1997.

Ron has been involved in the recreation and parks sector for over 36 years, working for organizations such as the BC Lions, Hollyburn Country Club, YMCA, City of Burnaby, and the City of Port Moody where he retired as the General Manager of Community Services in 2018. He has also been a board member of the Society for Community Development in the Tri-Cities and has volunteered for the Recreation Foundation of BC and Crossroads Hospice Society.

Ron is a graduate of the Kinesiology program at SFU and has certificates in Health & Fitness Studies from SFU, Financial Management from BCIT, an Executive Management Certificate and a Public Sector Management Certificate from UBC Sauder School of Business.

During my term on the BCRPA board, the CEO retired which left some big shoes to fill. Our Association is near and dear to all of us and ensuring that we selected the right individual for the position was a significant responsibility. I am most proud of my contribution to the recruitment of our CEO Rebecca Tunnacliffe. We are so very fortunate to have had such an outstanding individual provide leadership to our organization.

Gord Pederson served as BCRPA President from 2013 - 2014.

Gord worked in the municipal parks, recreation, and culture field for over 35 years, including for the communities of White Rock, Delta, Surrey, Burnaby and Chilliwack.

In 1981, Gord began his involvement with BCRPA as a university intern for the formerly named BC Recreation Association. Throughout the years, Gord has held various BCRPA positions including Vancouver/Lower Mainland Regional Liaison, Regional Director, and served on various BCRPA supported committees.

Gord has a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation and Parks Management from Western Washington University, certificates in Financial Management and Administrative Management Certificate from BCIT, and previously served as President for the Western Washington University Recreation Alumni Association.

Gord is an avid outdoor and sport enthusiast, youth soccer coach, and was elected to the BC Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

There are two memorable events I am most proud of from my time serving on BCRPA's Board. The first was representing the Association at the 2013 Recreation Roundtable in New Brunswick, which involved collaborating with prominent recreation educators and practitioners from across Canada to develop a National Recreation Agenda. And second, helping facilitate the initial unifying meeting between board Directors from the BC Recreation Foundation and BCRPA, a partnership instrumental to the growth of our Association.

Murray Kopp served as BCRPA President from 2012 - 2013. Murray also served as Board Director from 2008 - 2011 and President-Elect from 2011-2012.

Murray has worked in the local government recreation and parks sector since the mid 1990’s. After working in the private sector with a landscape architecture design and consulting practice on Vancouver Island from 1993 - 1995, Murray joined the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) in 1996 as their first Parks Planner. He has been their Director of Parks Services since 2008. Murray’s passion for protecting important natural and cultural landscapes and his commitment to reconciliation and building positive relationships with First Nation communities has helped to recognize that parks and recreation services can play an integral role in supporting healthy and sustainable communities.

Murray’s educational background includes a Bachelor Degree in Geography (1986), and a Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture (1993). Over the past 25 years, Murray has also completed a number of additional professional development certificate programs including a Local Government Administration Certificate – Capilano College (2003) and University of Victoria Professional Specialization Certificate – Local Government Management (2009). Through both his career and academic achievements, he has been recognized by the Province of BC with a Certificate in Local Government Service Delivery (2007) and a subsequent Province of BC Certificate in Local Government Administration (2009). Murray is also a Certified International Park Professional as recognized by the World Parks Academy (2016).

As Past-President of the Board in 2013-2014, Murray also served as BCRPA's representative on the Canadian Parks & Recreation Association (CPRA) Board of Directors. He has also served as both a member and Chair of the CPRA Parks Task Group since 2014. He co-chaired the first ever “Canadian Parks Summit” in 2016 (Canmore) and continued to support subsequent gatherings held in Banff (2017) and Quebec City (2019). Murray has also continued to represent the CPRA and local government interests on the National Steering Committee for the Pathway to Canada Target 1 project which is focused on increasing park spaces in Canada to a target of 30% by 2030.

BCRPA has been a wonderful platform that has supported collaboration, advocacy and professional development in the parks & recreation sectors throughout BC for over 60 years. In my time working with my colleagues on the Board of Directors, I am proud of our work that improved the registration system for Fitness Leaders in BC as well as our work building relationships with the province as a valued delivery agent for numerous community health initiatives.

With my career background largely focused in the parks sector, I am extremely proud of our work that supported the Canadian Parks & Recreation Association (CPRA) to align with the Canadian Parks Council (CPC), Parks Canada and CPRA Provincial – Territorial Association colleagues to enhance First Nations reconciliation commitments through the conservation of parks.

Leslie June served as BCRPA President from 2011 - 2012.

Leslie brings a unique blend of public and private sector experience to the field of recreation and parks, as well as passion, commitment and energy. She has previously held the role of Manager of Recreation and Community Services for the North Vancouver Recreation Commission. Prior to this she was a partner in the company of Wilson and June Consultants. As a consultant, she worked in many communities across the country and has delivered workshops as far away as Australia.

Born and raised in Penticton, Leslie obtained both a Bachelor of Recreation Administration and a Master’s degree from the University of Waterloo, Ontario. Upon returning to BC, she worked as a regional tourism master planner for a small tourism consulting company and she was the Director of Tourism Programs, SFU, Continuing Studies.

It was the team of Board Directors that deserves recognition. I was proud of the input each Direcotr contributed during my year as BCRPA President. It was a team that challenged each other, listened carefully, and built on differing perspectives to create a path forward. I was honoured to work with such a talented and dedicated group. 

Dean Gibson served as BCRPA President from 2010-2011. He also served as board Director from 2006 - 2008, President Elect in 2009 and Past President in 2011.

Dean also served as the BC representative on the Board of the CPRA, and as CPRA President from 2011 - 2016.

Dean has worked in the recreation and parks sector since the mid 1980’s.  Roles included working in Student Activities offices while attending university, summers as a park playground leader, and serving in recreation programming, facility operations, and departmental administrative roles for local government recreation and parks departments. This has provided him with a front row seat, sometimes behind the steering wheel, in experiencing how parks and recreation uniquely contributes to the quality of life at both the individual and community level.

Dean holds a Master of Science Degree in Recreation and Parks Administration from Indiana University and has worked as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of New Westminster since 2003. 

During my term as BCRPA Director and as President, I am particularly proud of the work undertaken by the Association in the area of recreation and park infrastructure renewal. The project, A Time for Renewal: Assessing the State of Recreation Facilities in British Columbia, set the stage for defining the essential nature recreation and park infrastructure play as a critical tool in supporting the health and vitality of our citizens and communities. This work firmly put recreation at the table and ensured municipal infrastructure deficit conversations and planning would happen at both provincial and federal government levels.

Tom Osborne served as BCRPA President from 2007 - 2008.  He has also served as a BCRPA Director and Regional Director.  

Tom has worked in the field of recreation and parks in communities throughout BC including Port Alberni, Nelson, Langley Township, and Ladysmith. He is currently the General Manager of Recreation and Parks for the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) and has worked for the RDN since 2000.

In his role at the RDN, Tom is responsible for providing recreation services to the communities of Oceanside, which includes Oceanside Place Multiplex Arena in Parksville, Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach and recreation programming throughout the Oceanside area. The Department also delivers recreation services on Gabriola Island through a local society, and to the communities of Cedar and South Wellington.

Tom also directs the RDN’s growing community and regional parks and trails system with twelve regional parks (2,000+ ha), including two campgrounds, and over 200 (800+ ha) community parks throughout RDN’s seven electoral areas.

Tom is also a Director with the Recreation Foundation of British Columbia.

During my 2007-2009 term with the BCRPA Board, we developed a strategic planning document to assist the parks, recreation and culture sector during a down turn in the economy that was occurring at that time. The resulting plan – The Way Forward – was then supported at 2008 BCRPA AGM in Victoria in the year that I was President. This document assisted our sector for the years that followed as province-wide leader and strategic partner in enhancing individuals’ quality of life, in building healthy communities, in protecting our environment and in supporting the economy.
 
2008 was also BCRPA’s 50th Anniversary -- a special milestone moment. I will never forget the support and advice my colleagues, family and friends provided to me during this year.

Susan Mundick served as BCRPA President from 2005 - 2006.

Her career began while coaching After School Gymnastics in 1973. She left her career as an elementary school teacher and joined North York Parks and Recreation (Ontario) as a Programmer. Twenty five years later as the Director of Recreation for the City of North York, she followed a new adventure and moved west to Vancouver to join the Parks Board as their General Manager and retired in 2010.

One of my career treasures was the opportunity to serve both provincial and national organizations as a volunteer in both Ontario and British Columbia. Meeting, sharing and learning from colleagues across Canada enhanced my ability to provide leadership in my workplaces and within BCRPA. I am most proud of the strategic partnerships and community involvement that we initiated during my term as President, and in preparation for the 2010 Vancouver/Whistler Olympics.

Doug Henderson served as BCRPA President from 2004 - 2005. He also served as a BCRPA Director, Symposium Co-chair, and a CPRA member.

Doug worked in the field of recreation, parks and culture from 1985 - 2016 in communities including Lacombe, AB, Esquimalt, the Capital Regional District, and Saanich.

In addition to his volunteer work with BCRPA, Doug also supported Gymnastics at the XV Commonwealth Games in Victoria, and volunteered as a Cub Leader, Assistant Coach in Minor Soccer and Minor Football, and as a Board Member for the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame, a position he continues to hold.

Doug graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts - Honors in Recreation Administration & Businsess from the University of Waterloo, and Masters of Public Administration from the University of Victoria in 1997.

Reflecting back on my time on the Board, I am proud to have been able to have worked on behalf of the sector. Together with staff and fellow Board Directors we increased collaboration with the BC Recreation & Parks Foundation and the various national, provincial, and territorial partners and increased our advocacy within the provincial and federal governments.

Barry Reid served as BCRPA President from 1999-2000. He also served as Director, President-Elect, and Past President of BCRPA, and as the BC/Yukon Director on the CPRA Board.

Barry worked in municipal recreation & parks for 35 years, primarily in Maple Ridge and Penticton. As a Director for the City of Penticton he oversaw the operation of the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre, parks & beaches, cemeteries, arboriculture, civic buildings, recreation, the museum, and Emergency Support Services. His department hosted conferences for CPRA (1992), BCRPA & CPRA (joint, 1998) and BCRPA's Symposium (2004).

Barry has a Bachelor’s Degree in Parks & Recreation Administration.

My time on the Board was a time of change. Alongside the Executive Director, Suzanne Strutt, we continued BCRPA’s work on renewal, financial sustainability, building alliances, and following best practices with professionalism to make a difference. I am proud of the effort we made to embrace and respond to change.