Decorah Parks and Recreation Welcomes New Director

DECORAH — Stepping into the role of Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Decorah, Marc Holtey brings wide experience and a deep passion for outdoor recreation. His journey into this career path began early in life, influenced by a childhood filled with his own family adventures in parks and outdoor recreational settings. "My interest in parks and recreation stemmed from experiences I had as a child," Holtey reflects. "As a family, we were fortunate to have a pool and tennis courts across the street from us, as well as neighborhood parks in proximity. We camped and explored state and national parks, trails, and waterways during summers. My dad started out working professionally for the Boy Scouts in Minneapolis and in southern California. He enjoyed the outdoors, and it made an impression on me. Great experiences, early and often, getting outside and enjoying nature." That foundation supports Holtey's career trajectory, which spans various roles in parks and recreation management, initially focusing on natural resource management before transitioning to city parks and recreation. Prior to joining the community of Decorah, he served in roles that included providing services for veterans with disabilities and working with the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board. A Return to RootsHoltey's journey to Decorah was guided by personal ties and a strong connection to the area. After a hiatus to care for his mother, he felt drawn back to parks and recreation. "In 2022, I took a career pause to provide full-time care for my mom, who was living with Alzheimer's disease," he shares. "I felt the pull this past winter to get back into this field and I had some familiarity with Decorah." Holtey's decision to pursue the position was reinforced by positive feedback from colleagues and a visit that highlighted the area's vibrant community and park systems. "My mom was a Luther graduate and an Iowa native," he said. "We took a trip here, and I was impressed. I like the mix of community, recreation, history, and contemporary offerings 'right outside my back door' here in Decorah." Settling InSince assuming his new role on July 1, Holtey has immersed himself in understanding Decorah's park system and engaging with the community. "It's been a good start," he remarks. "I appreciate the hospitality and the opportunity to meet so many people in the first few days. People are enthusiastic about the community, activities, and the park/trail system. The level of volunteerism and involvement in the community is impressive." Looking ahead, Holtey emphasizes his commitment to building on Decorah's rich park legacy while exploring new initiatives that meet current and future community needs. "In conjunction with the Decorah Parks and Recreation Mission Statement, my vision is 'to preserve, develop and maintain a parks and recreation system that enriches the quality of life for all residents, visitors, and future generations,'" he states. He plans to prioritize projects such as the Dahlen property development and the Carlson Park project, while also focusing on community engagement. These choices will ensure a diverse shaping of the department's future. "I plan to get out on a regular basis to park areas, activities, events, and community meetings. Having a greater understanding of the community and working collectively will help ensure we have input from diverse community groups." Challenges and OpportunitiesAddressing modern challenges such as screen time and nature deficit disorder, Holtey sees parks and recreation as vital in providing healthy alternatives and fostering outdoor engagement. "Screen time is a topic for most households," he notes. "Additionally, nature deficit disorder is a challenge relating to technology, and kids [and adults are] spending more time indoors and missing that critical connection to nature. Decorah has good things in place to help address the disconnection to nature and to connect people to the outdoors, track fitness, interact with signs, and navigate through park areas." "As a staff and parks system, we can look for opportunities to foster engagement outside through careful planning of parks and natural areas and making beneficial use of technology," Holtey continues. "Needs change, and staying in tune to those needs is important, while still providing traditional and foundational parks and recreation programming." Community Engagement and SustainabilityHoltey is planning some extensive community engagement to gather input and foster partnerships with local organizations and agencies. "Partnerships are extremely important," he expressed. "Sharing resources and expertise allows agencies to provide more quality services to meet the needs of a community. Throughout my career, I have valued collaboration and community-building. Part of my assessment over the coming weeks and months will be looking into partnerships that could be fostered and strengthened." Sustainability is also a priority, with plans to integrate more eco-friendly practices into operations and enhance environmental education initiatives. "The Sustainability Commission laid out a vision and goals to incorporate into our operations and planning," Holtey said. "That guiding document will help us to continue factoring in current sustainability and environmental considerations such as propagating native grasses and plants in parks, controlling invasive species, investing in the downtown business corridor, and more. Opportunities to expand on sustainability include working with other departments to protect habitat, promoting healthy lifestyles through events and activities, and building with more eco-friendly materials and practices." Leadership ApproachGuided by the principles of servant leadership and collaboration, Holtey aims to empower his team and strengthen partnerships to achieve shared goals. His leadership philosophy emphasizes inclusivity and proactive community outreach. "I value learning, service, integrity, people, and building community," he said. "My role is to lead by example and to provide opportunities to help catalyze those values in others. One of my favorite quotes, is 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.' I want our team to be empowered to have a desire to learn and grow professionally." Looking ForwardAs Holtey settles into his role, he envisions a future where Decorah's parks and recreation department continues to evolve and thrive. "I see us growing together as a community, embracing change, and ensuring our parks remain vibrant spaces for generations to come," he affirms. "I appreciate the opportunity to serve in this role and am excited to be a part of this community - professionally and personally." More information on Decorah Parks and Recreation here. Stay ahead of the curve! Subscribe to free newsletters for exclusive insights, local trends and analysis delivered straight to your inbox.