The Community News Brief recently asked Macomb Park District staff a series of to learn more about them, their role and their goals for the district, as well as their respective jobs, under the district's new leader, Blake Severs. The first part of the series featured Stephen Druse, Julie Flynn and Chris Frankhauser.
Allie Foster: McDonough County Special Recreation Association (MCSRA) Director Foster grew up in Sterling, Illinois, about two hours north of Macomb. She is a graduate of Newman Central Catholic High School and earned her bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation from the University of Iowa.
Before joining the park district in her current role in September 2025, she worked with individuals with disabilities for over five years, and worked specifically in parks and rec for three years.
The MCSRA is a nonprofit organization within the Macomb Park District that provides recreational and leisure opportunities to individuals in the community. The association's mission statement is to provide positive, purposeful, and meaningful recreational opportunities with individuals with disabilities. General programming, special events, fundraisers, summer camps, and more are provided to the community.
Q: What are your job responsibilities?
A: I oversee, facilitate and evaluate all recreational programming within the MCSRA. I prepare seasonal activities, events, or workshops for our participants and other individuals in the community. I collaborate with agencies to promote programming and provide inclusive opportunities to other individuals with disabilities. Additionally, I am the Special Olympics Athletic Director for McDonough County; meaning I oversee and coach all athletes participating in Special Olympic sports in this county.
Q: What is the favorite part of your job?
A: Being at the programs, events, or Special Olympics practices is the best part of job. Interacting with my participants and seeing them grow and develop through recreational opportunities is an in-describable and rewarding feeling!
Q: Why are local events and programs/a local park district important to a community/ quality of life?
A: Recreational and leisure opportunities are proven to improve quality of life. The Macomb Park District offers variety in programming and events. MCSRA offers opportunities to individuals who haven’t had access to these opportunities a chance to be a part of their community and peer group.
Q: In your role, what are your goals, and what new programs have you implemented and/or are planning to implement? How do you come up with new ideas?
A: We are trying to provide more services and programming/leisure opportunities to the youth and young adults in the community. My goal is continuing expanding MCSRA’s programming and reach more individuals in need.
Q: Most successful venture (in your opinion) to date?
A: I recently was very proud of our Family Fun Trivia Night fundraiser, where we raised money to support our 2026 Summer Camps.
Q: Do you have a personal philosophy/motto you live by?
A: 'Peace begins with me.'
In the parks and recreation world, things can be chaotic and there are things that will always be out of our control.
This phrase helps to re-center myself in my professional and personal life when I need a reminder of my 'why.'
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you? When you're not working, what do you like to do in your spare time?
A: A fun fact about me is that I have been teaching fitness classes (including, yoga, barre, and pilates), since I was 19 years old. I have always been driven and motivated by heath and wellness, receiving new certifications and developing my craft. I teach fitness classes at the McDonough County YMCA. I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. I also enjoy yoga and meditation practices when I am not working!
Allie Foster
Mikenzie Kinyon
Michelle Narvaez
Natalie Shelly
Mikenzie Kinyon: Creative Marketing Specialist Kinyon, a graduate of Elizabeth Tate High School in Iowa City, earned her Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design from Full Sail University. She joined the Macomb Park District on Nov. 24, 2025. She didn't take the traditional path on her route to the joining the Macomb organization. Kinyon spent a decade freelancing, doing everything from graphic design to computer repair, automotive work and even time as a preschool teacher and a nanny. As she's still relatively new to the park district staff, she shared that she's still finding her footing at times, but is enjoying having a sense of community and a purpose that extends beyond a small few.
Q: What are your job responsibilities?
A: I handle the creative and digital side of things: social media, designing fliers, postcards and handouts, keeping the website updated, helping to design full branding/media packages for our events. I also collaborate closely with our Event Superintendent Michelle Narvaez to help brainstorm and improve our events and programming, and I try to stay connected to our community members and program participants so their feedback can actually shape what we offer.
Q: What is the favorite part of your job? A: The opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives. To give families and kids more reasons to smile and make memories together. That means everything to me, and it's deeply personal. In June 2021, I lost my two-year-old son Zavien — he was murdered by his babysitter. I spent four years tending those wounds. I've healed enough now that being around children isn't just painful anymore — it's a reason to smile. Every chance I get to bring a little joy to a child feels like a way of honoring him.
Q: Why are local events and programs/a local park district important to a community/quality of life?
A: Losing my son Zavien taught me how precious the moments families share really are. A park district gives everyone — regardless of background or income — a place to belong, a reason to come together. It's often where kids make some of their first friends, where families build traditions, where real memories are made. That's not just a nice idea to me. It's personal.
Q: What are your goals, and what new programs have you implemented and/or are planning to implement? How do you come up with new ideas?
A: Since I'm still fairly new to the park district, I haven't had the chance to lead anything from scratch yet, but I've been here brainstorming with Michelle in the few months I’ve been here. This year we've added a 'Get Hooked' beginner crochet workshop, and we tweaked our Adult Egg Hunt on April 4 to lower the age to 18+ so more of our college students can join in too.
Q: Do you have a personal philosophy/motto you live by?
A: Integrity and community are everything. Simple as that.
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you, and when you're not working, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I'm a gamer — big Sims fan, and I love a good medieval roleplay. I paint with acrylics and gouache, I love tending to plants and animals, and I have two cats and a dog who are very thoroughly spoiled. But honestly my favorite fun fact is that I found the Macomb Park District as a customer before I ever worked here — I took my very first wheel throwing ceramics class here about a year ago, fell in love with it, and eventually ended up joining the team. It really does feel full circle.
Michelle Narvaez: Superintendent of Events Narvaez is a long way from home in her new hometown of Macomb. Hailing from Silver City, NM resident, she attended Aldo Leopold High School in New Mexico, which is an experiential education school that supports hands-on learning through internship programs. And it was that experience that is responsible for her passion for outdoor recreation and the arts. Narvaez's work in paid citizen science internships and mural work influenced her decision to continue my education at Western Illinois University, where she graduated with her bachelor's degree in 2024. Before she joined the Macomb Park District as a marketing specialist after graduation (and even before attending college at Western), she had worked in the parks and recreation field officially for two years and her prior experiences also involved community engagement.
As a member of the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) in New Mexico, she was a part of the ecological monitoring crew in charge of collecting data on native flora and fauna species, water quality, and soil studies in the high mountain desert climate of the Gila National Forest. She also was involved in building trail systems in local nature areas in and around my hometown working with the YCC Trails Crew. Her love for community engagement through natural spaces and recreational programs began in New Mexico and after graduating from WIU, the marketing specialist position was an exciting opportunity to reconcile both her passions in a professional career.
Q: What are your job responsibilities?
A: I organize and facilitate special events and programs throughout the year and also handle facility and equipment rentals.
Q: What is the favorite part of your job?
A: I love working outside and engaging with the community. Seeing people come together to have a good time is a reminder that all the work we’ve done behind the scenes was worth it.
Q: Why are local events and programs/a local park district important to a community/quality of life?
A: A local park district plays a vital role in strengthening community and enhancing quality of life. By providing events and programs that encourage connection, creativity, and personal growth, park districts create spaces where individuals and families can try new activities, challenge themselves, and build lasting memories. These shared experiences help cultivate a stronger, more engaged community.
Q: In your role, what are your goals, and what new programs have you implemented and/or are planning to implement? How do you come up with new ideas?
A: I like to listen to the Macomb “buzz” to hear what people are excited about, what initiatives are in motion, and what difficulties the population of Macomb faces to brainstorm how we could support or generate new opportunities.
The new Macomb Park District Bike Fleet is a great example. This initiative aims to expand local recreation by increasing access to quality bikes, offering bike safety education, and highlighting the new multi-use path at Patton Park—a safe space away from traffic where riders can build confidence or simply enjoy a ride.
The bikes will be available for free at monthly Bike Pop-Ups at Patton Park from May through September, where participants can practice riding and learn road rules through a Safety Town-style obstacle course. A full fleet will include 20 bikes of varying sizes. Thanks to generous sponsors and donations, seven bikes will be available to borrow at these events by May as we continue building this community resource through local sponsorships and donations through our donation portal on our website. Anything helps!
Q: Most successful venture (in your opinion) to date?
A: Getting through my first year as Superintendent of Events and kick-starting the community bike fleet resource!
Q: Do you have a personal philosophy/motto you live by?
A: Leave everything better than you found it.
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
When you're not working, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I played rugby in college! When I'm not working, I love to take walks with my dog Boba, listen to audio books and work on art projects in various mediums!
Natalie Shelly: Superintendent of Ceramics and Environmental Education Originally from Cincinnati, OH, Shelly attended Mother of Mercy High School, and received her Bachelor of Arts in Art Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. She also holds a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics from the University of Missouri in Columbia. She grew up loving to explore local parks with her family and participating in recreation experiences in Cincinnati, but never expected she'd end up in what she calls, an amazing position working for a park district. Her first 'big' job was working as a Child Life Specialist at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and she also spent many years teaching ceramics, art, and art history at colleges and universities. Shelly joined the Macomb Park District 11 years ago as the ceramics coordinator.
Q: What are your job responsibilities?
A: Educator, studio manager, studio technician and coordinator of the Macomb Park District Ceramic Studio. Naturalist educator in charge of curriculum development, interpretive experiences, community outreach, and management of the Lakeview Nature Center. Social media content creator for the Macomb Park District Ceramics Studio and the Lakeview Nature Area and Center accounts.
While I trained as a visual arts educator in both K-12 and higher ed, I also have been drawn to teaching in spaces outside of traditional academic classrooms. I feel passionate about the ability of a community space that can serve as both a visual art studio and as a special creative sanctuary for all ages. My position at the Macomb Park District in both the Ceramics Studio and the Lakeview Nature Area and Center is a perfect blend of my love for education, visual art, nature, and the therapeutic value of slowing down.
Q: What is the favorite part of your job?
A: I have so many favorite parts to this job! I adore that the Macomb Park District Ceramics Studio has become such a creative haven for making, personal discovery, therapeutic expression and community for those that call it home; I adore watching makers of all ages light up and smile after creating something with their hands. To help educate and facilitate that wonderment is one of my greatest joys. It’s an honor!
Q: Why are local events and programs/a local park district important to a community/quality of life?
A: Special events, programming, courses, workshops and local park green spaces help nurture our community by cultivating meaningful moments, connectivity, personal wellness and connection to ourselves, our neighbors and the larger world. Parks belong to everyone and have a direct impact on improving and supporting the communities they serve!
Q: In your role, what are your goals, and what new programs have you implemented and/or are planning to implement? How do you come up with new ideas?
A: Within my position, I am always striving to create creative and memorable experiences through art and nature for our community. Through the Macomb Park District Ceramics Studio, I provide ceramic workshops and courses for a wide variety of ages and skill levels throughout the year. At the Lakeview Nature Area and Center, I provide our monthly “Nature Maker” art workshops for ages, 16+, and “Noticing Nature: A Curious Guide for Sprouts” program, outdoor nature scavenger hunts, our seasonally led StoryWalk, and our new outdoor seasonal guided tours. Lakeview also hosts three seasonal celebrations: “Nature’s Fireworks” in July, “Moonlight Meander” in October, and the “Winter Solstice Lantern Walk” in December. I am so happy to bring these programs and workshops to our community! I do hope to create more self-led activities for visitors to enjoy at Lakeview, including the installation of a “Naturalist Box” outside of the Nature Center this spring!
I love searching for new ideas and inspiration. Creating programs and workshops for the future is one of my favorite daydreams! I collect ideas from books, artists I enjoy, children’s storybooks, nature and the rhythm of the seasons.
Q: Most successful venture (in your opinion) to date?
A: I love that the expansion of the Macomb Park District Studio in 2020 provided for such a growth in the number of courses and workshops offerings for our community. I also am so happy that I was able to help establish our permanent StoryWalk at Lakeview in 2021. I adore discovering new nature-themed titles to feature throughout the seasons!
Q: Do you have a personal philosophy/motto you live by?
A: Kindness and a deep belief that creative making can create positive change in ourself and our world.
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you? When you're not working, what do you like to do in your spare time?
A: My very first experience working with clay was at an art program hosted through a recreation commission in Cincinnati. Touching the clay and creating a tangible and lasting artwork during that program became a core memory and I continued to gravitate towards ceramics from that point forward. I absolutely love that I now help creative makers of all ages create and make memories through clay. What a gift!
I enjoy spending time with my family, creating things with my hands, gardening, camping, bird watching, thrifting, exploring children’s storybooks and noticing small, often hidden wonders in nature.
