September 2018 - Parks & Recreation - 97

Member Spotlight: Nancy
Winzer and Taylor Winzer
By Vitisia Paynich

ancy Winzer has always loved working with kids and playing
sports. So, it seemed only natural that she would pursue a teaching
career. However, a chance encounter with a friend would eventually steer her decision toward parks and recreation. Winzer joined the City
of Port Huron Recreation Department as a coordinator in 1993, advancing
to supervisor five years later. In 2010, she earned another promotion to
recreation director of the park and recreation department, which includes
oversight of 23 parks, two beaches and the McMorran Place Sports & Entertainment Center.
However, Winzer isn't the only
person in her family to catch the
parks and rec bug. Her daughter,
Taylor, a student at Michigan Tech
University, also joined the agency
as a junior recreation coordinator.
Parks & Recreation magazine recently spoke with the pair to find out
what makes their work fulfilling,
what it's like working with a family
member and some things that the
younger Winzer might not know
about her mom.

Parks & Recreation: What
makes your job the most
fulfilling?
Nancy Winzer: The most fulfilling
thing for me is just watching kids
playing outside and having a good
time. I also like going to a concert
at McMorran Place and seeing everyone loving the show - that's
the biggest thrill for me.

P&R: How do you feel about
Taylor following in your
footsteps?
NW: I think it's cool, and I feel that
she has a knack for it. I believe she
enjoys parks and rec because it's
been in my blood, and I think it's

in hers, too. It's just fun because I
know what a great job it is. I truly
love what I do, and I'm glad she's
having new experiences.

P&R: When did you know
you wanted to pursue a job
in parks and recreation?
Taylor Winzer: Probably since I
was little. The recreation department was like my second home,
and I participated in and helped
with the events. I remember helping with the time cards and entering them into the books and
whatnot. So, my sister and I have
always grown up around recreation. I started as a lifeguard, and
now I have stepped into that coordinator position. I love working
with the kids and organizing the
[programming].

P&R: Taylor, tell us about
your position at the
agency.
TW: My position now is junior recreation coordinator. I oversee our
middle school volunteer program
for kids between the ages of 12
and 15, who are in that awkward
middle spot. They're not really kids

Port Huron Recreation Department's
Nancy Winzer (left) and her daughter,
Taylor Winzer.

anymore, but they are not able to
have a job quite yet. They can volunteer 30 hours or more during the
summer, and they get a free trip to
Cedar Point at the end of the year.
I'm in charge of each of the kids
and making sure that everything
stays on track so that they can get
the best job experience before they
get a paying job.

P&R: Nancy, what is one
thing about yourself that
your daughter would be
surprised to learn about
you?
NW: You know those times when
you're trying to keep your troops
calm at work and you tell them
not to panic? Well, sometimes on
the inside, I'm panicking as well.
Another thing that Taylor doesn't
know about me is that I am so
proud of the work she does at the
recreation department with the
kids and how much she does for
our community - every day she is
making kids' lives better.
- Vitisia Paynich, Freelance Writer
for Parks & Recreation magazine

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