Willamalane Plants 11 Trees in Honor of Employees with 20+ Years of Service

Eleven Willamalane Park and Recreation District employees who have achieved 20 or more years of service with the district have been honored with new trees in parks throughout Springfield. The new trees around Springfield will help rebuild tree canopy from ice storm losses.

Honored employees were invited to help select their tree and choose a location that was meaningful to them. Candice Baker, one of the 11 honored employees, spent many of her 22 years at the district as a lead preschool teacher. After the preschool expansion at Willamalane, Candice was promoted to recreation coordinator, a role in which she’s been an invaluable leader for the preschool team. She chose a Coral Japanese Maple and helped plant it at Meadow Park at 851 Mill Street.

“A tree to represent the many years that I have committed to Willamalane is an awesome idea. I wanted it planted in my neighborhood park where I know lots of families play,” Candice said. “Being involved in early childhood for over 20 years, I have interacted and impacted many families’ lives, and it’s nice to see something in the community to represent that.”

“Planting trees is a meaningful reflection of these long-standing employees. As the new trees take root, they are setting a strong foundation that will serve the Springfield community for decades to come. Creative efforts like these also help the district rebuild its tree canopy after losing more than 600 trees to the 2024 ice storm, all while honoring our dedicated, long tenured staff.”

– Michael Wargo, Executive Director, Willamalane Park and Recreation District

Mert Mansur was another employee honored. He has been with the district for 26 years, starting as a lifeguard and now acting as the Willamalane Facilities & Fleet Operations Manager. Mert selected a Western Hemlock to be planted at Willamalane Park at 1276 G Street.

Willamalane’s work culture is people-centered. Through one of the region’s most competitive compensation and benefits packages, clear internal career pathways for many departments, board-adopted strategic plans, and formal recognition systems, the district invests intentionally in staff recruitment, retention, and development. These management practices strengthen employee engagement, reduce turnover, and protect institutional knowledge, enabling consistent, high-quality service to the community. Earlier this year, the district was also recognized by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce as Employer of the Year. 

Willamalane’s employee count varies throughout the year, with peaks in the summertime for lifeguards and camp staff, but as of this week, the district employs 482 people. Currently, Willamalane is still hiring for part-time summer and full-time positions.

More about Willamalane
Willamalane Park and Recreation District maintains and operates recreation facilities, community centers, pools, parks, trails, and natural areas in Springfield. In addition, the district provides recreational activities, volunteer opportunities, and childcare that are accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Created by voters in 1944, Willamalane is a special tax district, separate from the City of Springfield, governed by a five-member, elected board of directors and managed by an executive director. In 2022, Willamalane earned CAPRA accreditation, which signifies that the organization’s overall quality of operations, management, and service to the community are aligned with industry best practices.