Lynn Turner Feature 1

Media Contacts:
Matthew Little
Special Events Coordinator
540-433-9168
Matthew.little@harrisonburgva.gov

Maxine Johnson
Publicist
443-786-6352
johnsomw@dukes.jmu.edu

Giving Back to the Community is More than a Job, its a Lifestyle

I first met Lynn Turner at the Price Rotary Center, a space that exuded friendliness and
comfort with pictures of the active members along the wall, and an environment that she created
through her love for the community. The Turner familys community involvement through
Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation spreads across four generations and totals over a 100 years of
service. In a time where job turnover is so prevalent, Lynn has defied the odds and has loved
dedicating 33 years, of her life to Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation.
From selling snow cones at the pool as a kid to creating programs for senior citizens,
Lynn has impacted the Harrisonburg community in more ways than one, a tradition that is
prevalent in the Turner family.
Lynns father was the director for 34 years and was the first director at the Cecil F.
Gickerson Community center, the current location for the administrative offices, pool, and
recreation center for Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation. When Lynns father took over as
director, the land consisted of only a pool and small building. He then added on to the building
to create a new recreation center and administrative offices, as well as, developing several of the
parks throughout Harrisonburg.

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Lynn states, Its been so interesting and to see all the good that has grown out of my fathers
vision.
Before the current location in Westover Park, the Parks and Recreation Department use to
be located in the building that is now the local quilt museum. Lynn surprised her father last
March by holding her wedding ceremony there.
I grew up in that building as a kid; it is a very sentimental place our family Lynn
recalled.
Her grandfather also worked for Parks and Recreation mowing lawns for 20 years from
the time he was age 70. Lynns mother decided once Lynn, the youngest of four daughters, was
age three that the community center needed a preschool and founded the preschool still present
today. All of her sisters worked for Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation at some point in their
lives as well and while her son was enrolled in college at James Madison University he worked
for the recreation center part time.
Lynn began her work with Parks and Recreation at age 14 and continued to work for
them throughout high school and also while she was enrolled at James Madison University
where she earned her degree in marketing. Lynn has done everything from working in
concession stands to handing out balls in the recreation center to completing office work in the
administrative office to coordinating special events.
Lynn is a great resource for the department as shes been involved with much of the
departments history. She is an asset to the community of Harrisonburg commented current
Special Events Coordinator, Matthew Little.
In her time as the Special Events Coordinator, she created the Daddy Daughter
Sweetheart dance, one of her and the communitys favorite events of the year. After many years

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of planning, coordinating, setting up, and breaking down special events, she now works as the
Recreation Services Coordinator dedicating her time to the 50-year and older population.
Until she took the position all senior citizen classes were done at the recreation center,
and quickly became overcrowded. She knew she needed new space, and as she looked around
the Price Rotary Center she saw the potential to create something great.
The Price Rotary Center where Lynn spends most of her week planning and
implementing programs continues to develop into a multiuse space as she makes progress in
restoring the building. Through the support of her director, they brought back life to the building
that had not seen any love since 1974.
Lynn often develops programs that give back to the community including crocheting and
knitting for veterans. They made stalkings at Christmastime for Air Force bases in Germany,
blankets for people in nursing homes, and pink scarfs for veteran women.
Other groups Lynn has started include a bowling club, and the age 50 and over social
club where her and members meet once a month to plan a fun gathering the following week.
Some of what they have done before include going to a Turks baseball game, picnics, movie
nights and hanging out downtown.
Lynns family has spent their lives working to make the Harrisonburg community a better
place. Her favorite part about working for Parks and Recreation has been the people that she has
gotten to know and work with, all of which she calls her friends.
Ive really enjoyed every part of it, or I wouldnt stay 33 years Lynn recalls.

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Caption: Lynn as a little girl with her father

Shes had the chance to watch children grow up who were a part of the preschool
program come back and bring their children. It is still a tight-knit community even through
changes to Harrisonburg over the years,
The growth of the community has been a good thing. Change is good, and we have always
embraced it Lynn says.
Reflecting on her journey with Parks and Recreation Lynn recalled,
Its very satisfying to provide something people love to do. Youre providing fun things
to do, and its very rewarding serving the people of this community. Even when I do retire, Ill
still come out here.
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Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation

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Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation believes in enhancing the quality of life and meet the needs
of every citizen by providing comprehensive leisure service opportunities. The departments
mission is also to develop and maintain a safe system of open spaces and public facilities for the
use and enjoyment by the community.