Commentary by Brittany Goger
I’m not from Westfield, although I wish I was. The rich history, the sense of community; Westfield has a great quality of life. The way I view my job with the City of Westfield, I’m contributing to that quality of life through the parks and recreation department.
I’m the recreation program coordinator. You might not have heard of my name, but if you live in Westfield you have seen my product; The Grand Guide. My job is to come up with different programs offered through the parks and recreation department.
I have always had a love for the outdoors. Growing up it was a great place of solace and happiness for me. I decided that was where I wanted to focus all of my energy. I graduated from Indiana University with a degree in parks and rec management.
I’ve been honored to be part of Westfield’s new venture into recreation. Westfield started offering their own programs in May 2013, the department also opened their new program building, Main Street Facility, at that time. Since becoming the program coordinator, I’ve challenged myself with trying to offer programs that apply to all interests and all age groups.
My latest class offering is Westfield Wilderness Survival Academy. I’m always looking for unique classes that teach life skills. I challenged the summer intern to come up with a program that was different than anything the parks department had done before. The Westfield Wilderness Survival Academy is offers that and more. It is offered over three Saturdays at one of our local parks and the teacher is a survivalist who is partnering with the Westfield Boy Scouts.
Sometimes the new program ideas work and sometimes they don’t, but I’m always willing to try. Check it out. For more information, visit www.westfield.in.gov/parks.
Brittany Goger is the recreation program coordinator for the City of Westfield. She may be contacted at 804-3184 or [email protected].
