Coon Rapids Opens Summer Recreation Hiring as City Prepares for a Season of Parks, Programs, and Community Traditions

Coon Rapids, MN

In Coon Rapids, summer does not arrive quietly. It arrives through parks filled with children’s laughter, evening softball games under warm skies, neighborhood gatherings in city parks, and one of the region’s most beloved Independence Day celebrations.

Preparing for that seasonal rhythm requires more than sunshine and open fields. It requires people.

This week, the City of Coon Rapids officially opened recruitment for its 2026 summer recreation season, announcing two seasonal positions that will help coordinate and deliver many of the programs that bring the city’s parks and public spaces to life.

The openings for Recreation Program Coordinator and Rec on the Spot Specialist form part of the city’s annual effort to staff the summer programming calendar, which includes youth activities, athletic leagues, neighborhood engagement events, and major civic celebrations.

Municipal recreation programs play a central role in community well-being across the United States. Research from the National Recreation and Park Association consistently shows that local park and recreation systems support youth development, strengthen neighborhood connections, and provide critical access to outdoor activity and community gathering spaces.

In Coon Rapids, these seasonal hires will help ensure that the city’s recreation calendar unfolds smoothly across parks, ballfields, and community venues throughout the summer months.

A Summer Built Around Community Programming

The city’s Parks and Recreation Division oversees a wide range of summer programming designed to bring residents together in accessible public spaces. Seasonal employees often serve as the operational backbone of those efforts, coordinating logistics, engaging youth participants, and supporting community events that attract residents from across the city.

Among the largest of those events is the city’s annual Coon Rapids Fourth of July Community Celebration, traditionally held at Boulevard Plaza. The celebration includes a community parade, carnival-style activities, live entertainment, and a fireworks display that has repeatedly been ranked among the most popular Independence Day shows in the region.

Behind the scenes, recreation staff and seasonal workers coordinate many of the details that make the event possible.

The same staff also help support neighborhood engagement programs such as the city’s Summer in the City meetings, which bring city leaders and residents together in local parks for informal conversations about community priorities.

Weekly programming such as the seasonal farmers market also relies on recreation staff to coordinate vendors, manage public spaces, and maintain safe and welcoming environments for visitors.

Recreation Program Coordinator

The Recreation Program Coordinator position is a full time seasonal role running from mid May through late August, with a typical schedule of Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, along with occasional evening or weekend hours tied to special events.

The position is designed to serve as a logistical lead within the Recreation Division.

Responsibilities include coordinating major community events, supporting athletic leagues, assisting with park and facility rentals, and helping oversee recreational programming across the city’s parks.

Among the programs supported by the coordinator role are the Summer in the City neighborhood meetings, held multiple times each summer, as well as operational support for the farmers market, the Coon Rapids Pet Fair, and youth and adult recreational leagues.

The city lists an anticipated hiring range of $17 to $19 per hour for the position.

Applicants are expected to possess a high school diploma or GED, with preference given to candidates who have college coursework or an associate degree in recreation, marketing, or event planning. At least six months of related experience in parks and recreation, community programming, or event coordination is also preferred.

Rec on the Spot Specialist

The second position, Rec on the Spot Specialist, is a part time seasonal role running from mid June through mid August, with schedules of up to 30 hours per week, typically Monday through Thursday.

The position supports one of the city’s most visible youth outreach initiatives: the Rec on the Spot mobile recreation program.

Through this program, recreation staff travel to neighborhood parks to host structured and informal activities for youth and teens, generally between the ages of 5 and 14. Games, sports, crafts, and group activities are designed to create safe and welcoming spaces where young residents can spend summer afternoons outdoors with peers.

The specialist role also provides staffing support for community events, including neighborhood meetings and the Fourth of July parade.

Applicants must be at least 16 years old, with preference given to candidates 18 and older who hold a valid driver’s license and have experience supervising children, such as through youth programs, camps, or recreation activities.

Parks as Civic Infrastructure

Across the country, municipal recreation programs are increasingly viewed not simply as leisure activities but as critical civic infrastructure.

Parks provide spaces where residents of different ages and backgrounds encounter one another, where youth gain early leadership experiences through programs and summer jobs, and where local governments build trust with communities through visible, accessible services.

In cities like Coon Rapids, the summer recreation workforce helps transform those ideas into daily reality.

For students seeking their first professional experience, for young adults interested in public service careers, and for residents who enjoy working with families and youth, seasonal recreation positions often provide a meaningful entry point into community-centered work.

Application Process

The City of Coon Rapids began reviewing the first round of applications during the week of March 16, 2026. Officials encourage interested candidates to apply early, as hiring occurs on a rolling basis while positions remain open.

Applications and full job descriptions are available through the city’s online employment portal.

Recreation Program Coordinator
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/coonrapidsmn/jobs/5243576

Rec on the Spot Specialist
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/coonrapidsmn/jobs/5228191

As the city moves toward the long Minnesota summer, the work of seasonal recreation staff will help shape everything from neighborhood park games to citywide celebrations.

And in a community where public spaces remain central to civic life, those roles help ensure that summer in Coon Rapids continues to feel like what residents expect it to be: open, active, and shared.

MinneapoliMedia
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