New Hope’s New Parks and Rec Director Touts All That Makes the City Special
Aaron Thelen was recently promoted to parks and recreation director for the City of New Hope following the retirement of longtime director Susan Rader.
“That’s a lot of knowledge that I tried to learn from her as much as I could over the past couple of years,” said Thelen, who had worked for the city as a recreation supervisor for eight years. “I have some background, some history on just knowing what the city does, and just having that and being able to continue to develop those relationships with organizations, with the associations and the residents and families–it’s just a joy.”
Thelen helms a department that oversees programs at a wide variety of facilities and amenities.
City of New Hope Parks and Recreation Director Aaron Thelen recently was promoted after longtime director Susan Rader retired.
“We have a lot to offer in this city and to be able to have an outdoor performance center here, our aquatic park, and then a golf course, an ice arena, (and) the community gyms,” said Thelen. “We have so much here, and it does take a lot to run it and we do have a great department and a great team to help run those, to offer programs, to be able to offer these services, and it’s just a great place to be to be able to offer this to the community–it’s just a joy to be a part of that.”
Thelen said he is glad to use his previous experience to help lead the team.
“I’m just being there as an additional hand to help answer questions, be there to help offer support, being able to help give direction, and being able to work with everyone, which has been just a joy and I’ve loved it so far,” he said.
