Milwaukee Recreation Manager Elected President of the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association (WPRA) Board of Directors

Milwaukee Recreation Manager of Playgrounds and Community Centers, Derek Donlevy, officially moved into the role of president of the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association (WPRA) board of directors on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

WPRA is “a membership association that represents over 1,500 individuals delivering a broad spectrum of services in Wisconsin… so that they may better service the needs of their communities and participants.” WPRA provides opportunities for parks and recreation professionals to discuss industry trends, participate in certification courses, enhance professional skills, and advocate for parks and recreation-focused legislation.

Throughout 2023, Donlevy served as the president-elect on the WPRA board. Donlevy has also held the following WPRA positions:

• 2008: Student Section Representative on the Board of Directors
• 2008 & 2017: Conference Committee Member
• 2018-20: Region 4 Representative on the Board of Directors
• 2021-22: Secretary Treasurer on the Board of Directors

Donlevy attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he earned his degree in recreation management while working various recreation positions. He later received his master’s degree in recreation administration from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Donlevy has held positions in campus recreation at SIU Carbondale and the University of Minnesota Duluth, as well as recreation supervisory roles with the Village of Greendale and Milwaukee Recreation.

As president of the WPRA board of directors, Donlevy will study the information collected from the 2023 membership survey to assist with the development of the organization’s five-year strategic plan. “One of my goals from my time on the board of directors has been to continue to improve the membership experience of WPRA. I would like the board to look at some of the things we’ve always done and consider if making some changes would improve that experience, including professional development opportunities, leadership positions, and recognition.”

In 2023, Donlevy moved into his current role with Milwaukee Recreation as Manager of Playgrounds and Community Centers (he had previously held the role of Recreation Supervisor), where he now works with full-time and part-time staff at Marshall HS Community Center, Hamilton HS Community Center, summer playgrounds, and mobile recreation to offer affordable programming for all ages and abilities. He also contributes regularly to some of Milwaukee Recreation’s most popular annual events, including the Daddy/Daughter Dance and Mother & Son Superhero Night.

“I believe so strongly in the role of parks and recreation agencies because they exist to improve the quality of life for the community. We support physical, mental, and emotional wellness by offering spaces and programs for people to exercise, learn lifelong skills, and connect socially. Parks and recreation can also play a big role in creating a sense of pride and belonging for residents,” said Donlevy.

Milwaukee Recreation is a department of Milwaukee Public Schools, established in 1911 to enrich and strengthen the community through memorable recreational and educational experiences for people of all ages and abilities. Milwaukee Recreation is recognized as an accredited agency through NRPA and CAPRA. For more information, visit mkerec.net or contact Claire McHugh (Claire@mkerec.net) at (414) 475-8634 or Brian Hoffer (Brian@mkerec.net) at (414) 475-8938.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.