Mount Vernon, Iowa | Meet Scott Rose, Chair of Parks & Recreation Board

Welcome to Mount Vernon, Iowa. With a population of approximately 4,506 (via a 2010 census – thanks Jake), Mount Vernon can be described as “small-town.” That certainly isn’t an insult, though, as this town is packed with fun and friendly people, great businesses and tons of activities.

I had the pleasure this week of sitting down with Scott Rose to talk about some of my favorite things: community outreach, volunteerism, and parks. Scott (since we’re neighbors and our daughters are friends, I’m going to go ahead and call him Scott) is the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board here in Mount Vernon, Iowa. He joined the board in 2008 and within six months had been promoted. Also a member of the Chalk the Walk Committee, Community Center Advisory Committee, Mount Vernon Community Resiliency Project, Community Visioning Project, and most likely soon the Community Development Group Board, Scott is dedicated to community service.

Although commendable it’s not surprising that Scott chose to give so much of his time to Mount Vernon and in particular to Parks and Recreation. Scott wasn’t born in Mount Vernon – he moved here in the last nine days of 3rd grade. He participated in the sports that are put on by the town much like both my children who are involved in Mount Vernon’s soccer and t-ball leagues. As a child he also enjoyed the Mount Vernon Pool. Scott grew up like children are wont to do and in high school he participated as a coach in the leagues and as a lifeguard at the pool. At some point, Scott’s father was on Mount Vernon City Council for several terms and I have to wonder if that helped instill this idea of community service into Scott. Scott later moved away, even living in Las Vegas at one point, but when it came time to raise a family he and his wife chose to come back. Once arrived and settled in, he looked around at the community and he asked himself how he could help. And then he did it.

Scott says, paraphrased, that this idea of people looking at their community and asking themselves how they can help is not at all new. He mentioned that while there could always be more, there are many great and determined volunteers in Mount Vernon that help the city with its various functions. At the recent Chalk the Walk Festival, not only did many non-Cornellian Mount Vernon residents ask to help, but so did many Cornell students. I’m proud of my town for believing in community service, and if the smile on Scott’s face meant anything, so is he.

Speaking of can-do, Underhill Skate Park is a place in Mount Vernon for individuals who are following (or preceding) Tony Hawk’s example to practice their moves. I’ve always admired Mount Vernon for having this wonderful park available and I got to hear an interesting story from Scott on how it started. He related that years ago some kids had come up with the idea of a skate park in Mount Vernon. They went in front of City Council and were told that it was doable, but they needed to come up with a concrete and thought out plan and come back to present it. Scott half-smiled and advised that’s often where the ideas stop. However, these kids weren’t going to be put off. They lined up fundraising, came up with a plan, and presented it to the City Council. The park was born. These kids asked themselves how they could help their community and themselves and they followed through. Grassroots at its best.

I talked at length with Scott about the difficulties of communication in a small town. Often times, people associate with their small group of friends or associates and believe that if they know about the events or activities, then everyone must. As a household that does not get the Mount Vernon Lisbon Sun, often times I feel like we are out of the loop. Scott and I discussed how technology is so important in my household and many households like mine. I read my news on the Internet (and I’ve paid for subscriptions to do so), I learn about new activities and events via websites, and I know many other people who do the same. Scott discussed how Internet-based technology is mainstream and it is important to go to where the people are, because otherwise you miss opportunities to communicate. He stated that an important part of community building and outreach is to enter into discussions with people where you listen to what they really have to say, ask follow-up questions, and then seek answers to those questions. He advised that is what community leaders should be doing. I like that answer and I like his approach of “going to where the people are.” Scott also discussed how it is a challenge sometimes to include everyone from all the various lifestyles in our community, but that it is important and a challenge worth undergoing.

See tomorrow’s post for Meet Scott Rose, Part Two on some of the upcoming projects that the Parks and Recreation department is undertaking as well as a few more Q&A.

Want to help?

Are you interested in helping Mount Vernon? Do you have an idea that you think you can help to make happen? Do you just want to volunteer a few hours?

• You can visit the www.visitmvl.com website and on the left there is a column where you can sign up for volunteer opportunities.
• Contact the Community Development Mainstreet & Marketing Director, Mount Vernon City Hall, or Scott (scottbrose@gmail.com). Someone will be able to point you in the right direction.

Do you live within 10 miles of Mount Vernon, Iowa, or do you operate a business within 10 miles of Mount Vernon, Iowa? I would love to get to know you, explore the area with you, or even interview you! Leave me a note and I’ll get back to you. Maybe next time, you could be standing here. Right next to me. I’d love the company.

Want more information on Mount Vernon’s Parks and Recreation

• Emerald Sunshine page on Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation
• Mount Vernon Parks & Recreation on Facebook
• Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation Board
• Mount Vernon Parks/Recreational Programs
• Mount Vernon Parks

Want more information on Mount Vernon?

• Visit MVL/ Mount Vernon Lisbon Community Development Group
• City of Mount Vernon, Iowa
• Mount Vernon and Lisbon Sun
• Cornell College’s About Mount Vernon