PORTLAND, Mich. — After nearly four decades of serving the community, Portland's Director of Parks and Recreation is now preparing for her final month before retirement.
Mary Scheurer joined the city staff in November of 1978. After graduating from Portland High School, Scheurer went on to further her education at Michigan State University.
"Its really been a pleasure to work here and the people I’ve been working with," said Scheurer.
"She just an incredibly outgoing, very effective, and very a professional individual," said City of Portland mayor, James Barnes.
Scheurer hasn't limited herself to just serving as a Parks and Recreation director, she is responsible for the tree management program and day-to-day operations in the city's cemetery. Sheurer has also wrote many grants to help provide Portland residents with the best quality of life possible.
"Her ability to work with people to be the face of Portland from such a young age when they were beginning in the recreation program, all the way through when they need burial services. She has done a great job of making Portland a better place to live," said Barnes.
Scheurer says one of her biggest accomplishments has been bringing a 41 acre River Walk to the city.
"Before the bit was even cooled on the first phase, we had people out there using it. Then people would come to say to you 'Mary, I wasn’t sure this was going to be good but it’s the best thing to happen to Portland," said Scheurer.
"It's amazing how often I hear of people who visit Portland simply to ride the bikes on the trails, or to run, or to do something along the river," said Barnes.
Getting outside and getting active is very important to Scheurer.
"We have so many youth that are really attached to their video games and not getting active enough. By having our trail here in town and all of our natural resources, it gives the people an opportunity to go out and stay physically active and enjoy the resources in our community and in Michigan," said Scheurer.
Retirement wont stop Scheurer, she says she has many plans for what's ahead.
"I recently bought a farm that my great grand father built, the house and the barn, and I'll be trying to make some renovations on that and doing some work on the house. I like to hunt so I’m hoping to be able to hunt some more," said Scheurer.
"All you have to do is look around and see that the things that she has done. The accomplishments that she has achieved will affect the people that live in this city for generations to come," said Barnes.
The City of Portland will honor Scheurer's years of work at it's city council meeting Monday beginning at 7 P.M. at city hall.
Scheurer's last day working for the City of Portland will be January 22, 2016.
