Meet Facilities Focus Area Chair: Sunshine Lambert

Where do you work?
Director, Saline Parks & Recreation

What is your role within mParks?
Facilities Focus Area Chair

What is your favorite park?
Saline: Tefft Park.
Washtenaw County: Rolling Hills.
SE Michigan: Kensington Metropark.
Michigan: Chapel Loop
(Pictured Rocks).
US: Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area.
Outside US: Cami de Ronda trail Spain


What's your go-to snack to fuel those energy-packed moments at work?
Nuts

Describe your perfect day at the park.
60-70 degrees, mix of sun and puffy clouds, with my family and our dog going on a walk or hike. I
especially enjoy if there is a water feature: river, pond, waterfall, lake.

What inspired you to pursue a career in this industry?
Growing up in a very modest household in the suburbs of Cleveland, the Cleveland Metroparks provided us
with endless opportunities to play, explore, learn about life, and so much more. My mom took us on bike
rides through the park and we stop and play in the creek. Life wasn't always easy but parks provided a
wonderful escape. I spent my summers in college working for Rocky River Parks & Recreation as a camp
counselor. The first summer I had a lightbulb go off and I wanted to be that person who planned all of the
amazing activities. And there it is....incredibly grateful everything fell into place.

What do you enjoy most about working in parks and recreation?
The people. I have found it incredibly rewarding talking to all of the different people who I meet every day.
I am also surprised how much I value working with youth. They keep me grounded and they inspire me
everyday.

How do you stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in parks and recreation?
I need to do better. Honestly, I don't have time for social media, eblasts, printed material etc. I get most of
my information from talking to people directly.

Do you have any advice for those aspiring to pursue a career in parks and recreation?
Do it for the love of it. Get involved. Don't be afraid to talk to others. Always do what's right. It's easy to
get caught up in the bureaucracy of government....push through and remember you are a public servant
working for the betterment of your community.

If you were a park amenity, which one would you be and why?
The park map sign. I like to tell people about all the wonderful park amenities and encourage people to
go out and explore.

What's the weirdest talent or skill you possess that hasn't made it onto your official job
description?
I honestly can't think of any skill or talent that I have that I haven't had to use at one time or another in my
professional career in Parks & Recreation. We do EVERYTHING!

In the event of a zombie apocalypse, which park facility would you use as your zombie-fighting
headquarters?
The Saline Rec Center: We'd lock it down, make weapons out of the fitness equipment and raid the staff
snack bins to stay energized.

If you were an animal commonly found in parks, which one would best represent your work
style?
Although not found in Michigan, at least not that I know of, I would say the Prairie Dog. Prairie dogs work
together and take care of one another. They are playful and social. I feel connected to the prairie dog that
stands proud, watching the skies and surroundings to protect it's family. I put our staff and our
department first, just as the prairie dog does with its pack.

If you could add one unconventional feature to a local park, what would it be?
Hmmmm.....maybe a device that recognizes when dogs are on ball fields and tells the owner this is not
permitted.

What are your hobbies?
Traveling, camping, exploring, going for walks, gardening, fixing up our house, my family, taking care of
others, our pets, etc.

Tell us something about yourself others might not know.
I enjoy talking to others but absolutely dread public speaking/presentations. When I declared my major in
College (shout out to Ohio University....Bobcats), I was also considering a career in social work. Social
work required a public speaking class so I chose Parks & Rec. Who would have known.