Saint Paul Parks Conservancy announces ‘Party for the Parks’ honorees

The Saint Paul Parks Conservancy and Saint Paul Parks and Recreation will honor the best of the best of the thousands of volunteers, coaches, advocates, and community champions who help make Saint Paul’s park system one of the top-ranked in the nation during the annual Party for the Parks celebration on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Harriet Island Park’s Wigington Pavilion.

Now in its sixth year, Party for the Parks brings together park supporters from across the city for an evening celebrating the people and partnerships that make Saint Paul parks cleaner, greener, safer, more welcoming, and more vibrant for all.

The celebration will kick off with a special performance by Circus Juventas, North America’s largest youth performing arts circus school and one of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation’s most inspiring creative partners. Their high-energy opening performance will help launch an evening dedicated to the people who help Saint Paul parks thrive. 

This year’s top honorees include:

Golden Shovel Award: Julie Printz

Julie Printz is being recognized for her extraordinary leadership and vision in helping transform Pedro Park from an idea into one of downtown Saint Paul’s most exciting new public spaces. Through her work with Friends of Pedro Park, she has inspired neighbors, volunteers, and advocates to help activate and care for the park while building lasting community pride.

Changemaker Award: Saint Paul Downtown Alliance Street Team

The Saint Paul Downtown Alliance Street Team is being honored as a true gamechanger for downtown Saint Paul. Through their daily presence and hands-on care for public spaces, the team has helped make downtown parks, sidewalks, and gathering places safer, cleaner, and more welcoming for residents and visitors alike.

Parks Volunteer of the Year: Annie Huidekoper

Annie Huidekoper is recognized for extraordinary volunteer leadership and dedication to Saint Paul parks. Her service, advocacy, and tireless support for public spaces have made a meaningful difference across the city’s park system – from CHS Field to the Como Park Bluebird Trail.

Additional honorees include:

Jennifer Flaherty (Community Spirit Volunteer Award)

Mee Vang and Joe Vang (Rec Services Volunteers of the Year)

Mark Hove (Natural Resources Volunteer of the Year)

Jermaine Thomas (Coach of the Year – Basketball)

Dona Vu (Culture Bearer Volunteer of the Year)

Steph Briggs (Coach of the Year – Softball)

Northwest Como Booster Club (Booster Club of the Year)

Pig’s Eye Park Friends (Commitment to Conservation Award)

Alfred Chan (Community Spirit Volunteer Award)

Gregory Smith (Coach of the Year)

Mercedes Yarbrough (Community Spirit Volunteer Award)

Lori Hanley (Mears Park Volunteer of the Year)

Mary Elizabeth Cullen (Rice Park Volunteer of the Year)

Barbara Bobrowitz (Como Friends Volunteer of the Year)

The Saint Paul Parks Conservancy creates vibrant communities by making strong parks superb. Working in partnership with Saint Paul Parks & Recreation and community partners, the Conservancy helps advance park improvements, programming, environmental stewardship, volunteerism, and equitable access to exceptional public spaces across Saint Paul. https://saintpaulparksconservancy.org/